One of the recommended activities to do in Ushuaia is to visit Martial Glacier, the best place for trekking, skiing and enjoying the views of the Beagle Channel.
Only 7 kilometres from the city centre of Ushuaia, you will find the Martial Glacier, which offers impressive views of the city of Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel and the hills surrounding the city.
It is located within the Martial Glacier Nature Reserve and access is free of charge. It can be visited either in winter, since it has a ski center for children, or in summer for trekking in the Fuegian forests.
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The Martial Glacier in winter, things to do
During the winter, there is a ski school where you can take classes, even for the little ones. Also many trails are enabled, but you have to take into account the presence of snow and the weather conditions of the day.
The Martial Glacier in summer, things to do
If you visit the Martial Glacier in summer, it is the ideal time for trekking to the base. The Martial Glacier is actually a remnant of an ancient glacier, so you will not see a uniform mass of ice like the Perito Moreno or other glaciers, but separate blocks of ice.
Martial Glacier Nature Reserve Trails
- Forest Path: this is the name given to the path from the Mountain Refuge to the end of the chairlift. It is quite steep.
- Filo trail to the panoramic viewpoint of Ushuaia: it is 600 metres long and climbs up to 700 metres above sea level. From here, the views of the city centre of Ushuaia with the Beagle Channel in the background are amazing. Ideal to stay and take lots of pictures.
- Martial Glacier: it is a little more than a kilometre away but you climb from 500 to 1000 metres above sea level. Although the trekking to get to the base of the Martial Glacier is uphill (especially if it is done from the Refugio), it is suitable for the whole family as it doesn’t require such a demanding physical effort. However, in winter you have to take into account the snow and the cold, which can make the hike difficult.
- Cañadón Negro: it is the longest in distance, about 1,6 km, and climbs up to 1050 metres above sea level.
- Waterfall trail: 400 m long and 700 m above sea level.
Then, the descent to the Martial Glacier Mountain Centre or to the city takes about half the time of the ascent. In any case, it is worth going slowly to avoid injury and stopping along the way to take pictures of the city of Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel.
How long does it take to climb up to the Martial Glacier from the trailhead?
It depends on which trail you choose, but on average it takes about three hours in total.
Is there any place to eat or have a drink on the martial glacier?
If you are going to visit the Martial Glacier, at the Mountain Center where the hike to the base of the glacier begins there is a tea house, which has a small cafeteria and bar where you can eat stews and sandwiches accompanied by a drink.
It is the ideal place after the trek to enjoy a hot drink and food with nice views.
Recommendations to visit the Martial Glacier
- Bring warm clothes and a waterproof jacket: the weather in Ushuaia is very changeable in the same day, and even more so when we are at high altitude. You should bring something waterproof in case it rains or snows, even in summer.
- Carry a bottle of water: it is very important to hydrate yourself when trekking to the base of the Martial Glacier.
- Do not throw rubbish on the path.
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses. The reflection of the snow, even in winter, can cause burns.
- It is forbidden to bring pets and to make fire.
- It is advisable to start trekking in the morning, no later than 12:00 noon, to have time to reach the summit, take pictures, admire the surroundings and come down even with sunlight.
- Especially in winter, it is necessary to be attentive to the weather conditions of the day. It is still a mountain trekking, where temperatures and wind can change unexpectedly.
- Attention: the chairlift of the Martial Glacier has not been working for many years, so the ascent must be done on foot.
How to get to the Martial Glacier from downtown Ushuaia
There are four options to get to the Martial Glacier from downtown Ushuaia:
- Public transportation: there are bus lines that drop you off at the trailhead.
- Cab: a faster way to get to the Martial Glacier Mountain Centre, and then start the hike up the ski slope. If the taxi fare is shared between several people it is more convenient than taking public transport.
- With an excursion to the Martial Glacier from Ushuaia, which includes guide, transportation and trekking.
- Also, there is the possibility of doing a night trekking on the Martial Glacier, hiring an agency with a guide. It is an incredible experience, where you will be able to observe the imposing starry sky of Ushuaia.
Location (map)
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