← Patagonian International Marathon·Day trip

Cueva del Milodón: The Cave North of Natales

A large cave and short flat path north of town, paired with a slow afternoon on the Natales waterfront, if the site has reopened.

DurationDay trip
TransitTaxi, hire car or tour, about 25 km north of Puerto Natales
DepartsPuerto Natales

After the Patagonian International Marathon: Cueva del Milodón

The Route: Puerto Natales → Cueva del Milodón → Puerto Natales Logistics: About 25 km by road each way. Taxi, hire car or tour. Marathon Month: September Duration: Day trip

Puerto Natales ──(about 25 km north by road)──> Cueva del Milodón
      ▲                                                  │
      └───────────────────(same road back)──────────────┘

The Patagonian International Marathon finishes in the Sector Serrano area, and runners are based in Puerto Natales, a road journey away. The day after the race is best spent near town. The Cueva del Milodón is the nearest natural site north of Natales, and its main cave has the kind of wide, flat access that legs on day two need.

September in Puerto Natales: late winter. The organiser gives 2 to 10°C for race weekend, with possible storms, and the same range is a fair guide for the following days. Daylight is limited, the wind can be strong, and snow is possible. Dress in layers and expect to be outdoors for short stretches.

The cave

The Chilean park service (CONAF) manages the Cueva del Milodón as a natural monument, about 25 km north of Puerto Natales. It describes the main chamber, Cueva Grande, as suitable for visitors with reduced mobility. The site is named after a giant ground sloth whose remains were found there. A short path leads from the entrance to the cave mouth. The surface is a prepared path and the gradient is gentle.

Check before you travel. A recent notice from the park service said the cave would stay closed after a reserve nearby reopened, so confirm with CONAF or your hotel that the cave is open on your day. If it is closed, the road north is still a pleasant drive, but there is little reason to make the trip.

Taxis from Natales will wait while you visit, and you should agree the price and waiting time before leaving. A tour minibus is the other option. Allow about 90 minutes for the visit including the drive.

The rest of the day

Back in town, the waterfront is a flat, paved stretch along the edge of the sound. A slow walk takes 30 to 40 minutes, and benches are scattered along it. Many hotels on the waterfront have restaurants. Costaustralis, on Pedro Montt, has dining on site, and NOI Indigo Patagonia is on Ladrilleros. Check opening hours, as small Natales restaurants often close between lunch and dinner in winter.

The excursion needs no overnight stay. Taxis can be booked through your hotel the evening before.