Cerro Cortez

Overlooking Ushuaia, Cerro Cortez isn’t just a peak. It’s a quick, steep climb promising breathtaking ocean views. The trailhead, marked by a sign and bridge, invites you into a natural obstacle course. A flat dirt road eases you in before the real challenge begins. The ascent up Cerro Cortez is a scramble over roots, a test of balance and agility. Above the treeline, cairns guide the way, but social paths crisscross, each offering a slightly different route to the summit. From the top of Cerro Cortez, the world stretches out before you. The Beagle Channel shimmers, a reminder of Charles Darwin’s voyage on the HMS Beagle. Remember, Ushuaia itself has a unique history. Founded in 1870 by British missionary Wasti H. Stirling, it later became an Argentine naval base and, surprisingly, a penal colony. The prisoners built their own prison and much of Ushuaia’s early infrastructure. Today, tourists flock here, drawn by the city’s title as the “southernmost city in the world.” But Cerro Cortez offers a different perspective. It offers a chance to connect with the wild beauty that first drew people to this remote corner of the world. As you descend, retrace your steps carefully. The roots that challenged you on the way up are even trickier on the way down. Enjoy the final, fast road mile back to the trailhead. Cerro Cortez may be a short hike, but it’s a memorable one. A taste of wilderness in the “End of the World.”