Cerro Benítez hike: Ancient rock paintings near Puerto Natales

The rock paintings here are older than the pyramids, carved into stone that once lay beneath the sea.

A guided hike from Puerto Natales to Cerro Benítez Archaeological Park, where you explore 3,500-year-old rock paintings in caves and rock shelters while trekking through Patagonian forest and valleys. The route includes the Hidden Cave with stalactites, views of Eberhard Fjord and Sofía Lagoon from the summit, and a stop at the Dos Herraduras rock shelter. A local bilingual guide leads the trek. Trekking poles and headlamps are provided. The hike takes around five hours and requires moderate fitness. Minimum age is 12.

Step-by-step itinerary

Hike to Cerro Benitez Archaeological Park

• Travel north of Puerto Natales
• Explore Estancia Ernesto Helmer park
• Enjoy views of Eberhard Fjord and Sofía Lagoon
• Visit Window Cave and Hidden Cave
• Discover stalactites with headlamps
• Walk through forest to Dos Herraduras overhangs
• Admire ancient rock paintings

The experience

The hike starts 25 km north of Puerto Natales at Estancia Ernesto Helmer, where the Archaeological Park sits inside a landscape of mountains, valleys, and cliffs. Your guide will lead you through lush forest trails toward the summit, where the views open across Eberhard Fjord, Señoret Channel, and Sofía Lagoon. Along the way you'll stop at the Window Cave and then the Hidden Cave, where you use a headlamp to see stalactites formed over thousands of years by mineral-rich water dripping through stone.

The rock paintings themselves are the centerpiece: ancient Patagonian art carved into walls that were once underwater, now exposed on the mountainside. You'll reach the Dos Herraduras rock shelters, where the paintings still mark the stone. The trek combines archaeology with geology and natural history, moving through different zones of the park rather than following a single path. Trekking poles help on the steeper sections, and the guide explains both the human and natural history as you walk.

Shared transportation picks you up from Puerto Natales and brings you back after the hike. The guide speaks both Spanish and English, so the experience works whether you're traveling alone or with others. The five-hour timeframe includes the hike itself, cave exploration, and the views from above. The pace is steady but not rushed, with time to look at the paintings and the landscape.

What’s included

• Shared transportation from Puerto Natales to Estancia Ernesto Helmer and back.
• a local bilingual guide in Spanish and English.
• trekking poles and headlamps for cave exploration.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Under 12: can't be booked

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 30 pickup points.

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

Paid on siteUS$ 15.21

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Gray Line Chile

Is this one for you?This tour works best for small groups or solo travelers comfortable with moderate hiking. You'll move at a steady pace with others on the same trek, stopping to explore caves and rock paintings rather than rushing through the park.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What are the rock paintings at Cerro Benítez, and how old are they?

The rock paintings are 3,500 years old, created by ancient Patagonian peoples on stone walls that have since been exposed by geological changes. They mark the Dos Herraduras rock shelters and other sites throughout the Archaeological Park.

Do I need special equipment or fitness to do this hike?

Moderate fitness is required. The trek involves uphill sections and uneven terrain. Trekking poles are provided, and headlamps are supplied for cave exploration. You should be comfortable hiking for around five hours with breaks.

What will I see in the Hidden Cave?

The Hidden Cave contains stalactites formed by thousands of years of mineral-rich water dripping through the rock. You'll explore it with a headlamp, so you can see the formations up close in the darkness.

Does the hike include views of Eberhard Fjord?

Yes, from the summit of Cerro Benítez you have panoramic views over Eberhard Fjord, Señoret Channel, and Sofía Lagoon. The fjord views are one of the highlights of the trek.

Is transportation from Puerto Natales included?

Yes, shared transportation from Puerto Natales to the Archaeological Park and back is included in the tour. Pickup is arranged as part of the booking.