Trekking to Laguna Esmeralda from Ushuaia: 4.5km hike

Hike to the Emerald Lagoon and watch the forest change beneath your feet

A moderate-difficulty trek from Ushuaia to Laguna Esmeralda covers 4.5 kilometers one way through peat moss valleys, beaver-altered forest and mountain streams, ending at the lagoon for lunch. A specialized mountain guide leads the route, explains the landscape and wildlife, and points out how beaver dams reshape the Fuegian forest. Hotel pickup and a lunch box with sandwich, hot beverages and chocolate are included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Trek to Laguna Esmeralda

• Leave hotels around 9 AM
• Drive through National Road N° 3 north
• Enter valleys region away from Beagle Channel
• Begin moderate trek through peat moss area
• Pass Fuegian forests and beaver dams
• Follow stream to Emerald Lagoon
• Rest and enjoy lunch box at lagoon

The experience

The trek starts at 9 in the morning from your hotel in Ushuaia. You drive north on National Road 3, leaving the Beagle Channel behind and entering the valleys region where the walk begins. The moderate difficulty means a steady pace uphill (200 meters of elevation gain over the 4.5-kilometer route), but the trail itself is graded and manageable for anyone with basic fitness. A specialized mountain guide walks with you and talks through what you're seeing: the ecology of the peat moss areas, the impact of beaver dams on the forest structure, and the plants and animals that live in this part of Patagonia.

The route passes through several distinct zones. You start in open peat moss valleys, move into dense Fuegian forest, and follow a stream uphill as it narrows. The beaver dams appear along the way (visible evidence of how these animals engineer the landscape), and the forest changes noticeably as you climb. Once you reach Laguna Esmeralda, you stop to rest and eat. The lunch box includes a sandwich, water, hot beverages and chocolate, so you have time to sit by the water and take in the mountains surrounding the lagoon before the walk back down.

Pickup and drop-off at your Ushuaia hotel are included, and you'll carry a walking pole to ease the descent. The schedule is confirmed the day before in the afternoon, as timing can shift to match conditions and group needs. Bring waterproof trekking shoes, a waterproof jacket, a small daily backpack and a spare pair of socks. Sunglasses and sunblock are recommended. Vegetarian and gluten-free lunch options are available if you request them at booking.

What’s included

• Specialized mountain guide in English or Spanish.
• lunch box with sandwich, water, hot beverages and chocolate.
• walking pole.
• hotel pickup and drop-off in Ushuaia.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:30

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (6 to 11 years) · Under 6: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 8 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tierra del Fuego Aventura

Is this one for you?This is a guided trek, not a solo hike, so you walk with a mountain guide who explains the landscape, fauna and flora as you go. Choose this if you want someone who knows the forest and the route to lead you and talk through what you're seeing. It suits nature lovers who want context and company rather than solitude on the trail.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (6 to 11 years). Children under 6 can't be included in the booking.

How far is the walk to Laguna Esmeralda and how much elevation gain is there?

The trek to Laguna Esmeralda covers 4.5 kilometers one way with 200 meters of elevation gain. The route is moderate difficulty, so the climb is steady but not steep.

What environments will I pass through on the way to the lagoon?

You walk through peat moss valleys, Fuegian forest and along a mountain stream. Beaver dams are visible along the trail, showing how they alter the forest structure as you climb toward the lagoon.

What's included in the lunch box at the lagoon?

The lunch box includes a sandwich, water, hot beverages and chocolate. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available if you request them when you book.

What time does the trek start and how long is the whole experience?

Pickup from your Ushuaia hotel is at 9 in the morning. The full experience takes about 6 hours, including the drive, the trek up and down, and time to rest and eat at the lagoon.

Do I need my own trekking gear or is equipment provided?

You bring your own trekking shoes, jacket and backpack. A walking pole is provided to help with the descent, and the guide brings specialized mountain knowledge and safety expertise.