← Patagonian International Marathon·1 night

Río Serrano: A Night at the Finish

Staying on after the finish at Hotel del Paine to skip the long road back to town, then moving on the following day.

Duration1 night
TransitPre-arranged lodge transfer back to Puerto Natales
DepartsHotel del Paine, Sector Serrano

After the Patagonian International Marathon: A Night at Río Serrano

The Route: Hotel del Paine (finish) → Río Serrano → Puerto Natales Logistics: Stay at the finish lodge, then take a pre-booked transfer or the lodge's own arrangement the next day. Marathon Month: September Duration: 1 night

Finish: Hotel del Paine ──(one night at the lodge)──> next morning
                                                             │
                           Puerto Natales ◄──(pre-booked transfer)──┘

The race finishes at Hotel del Paine in Sector Serrano, a long way from Puerto Natales. Most runners return by coach on race afternoon. Staying a night at the finish avoids a road journey after 42 km and puts the national park on the doorstep the next morning.

September at Río Serrano: late winter, with cold air and limited daylight. The organiser's race-weekend range is 2 to 10°C, with storms possible. Roads and park access can be affected by snow or wind, so confirm conditions with the lodge before travelling on.

Night One: Hotel del Paine

The hotel's own site confirms it is open and that transfers are not included, so arrange them yourself. Book the room as part of your entry plan, and ask the lodge what meals are served on race night for runners and companions. The organiser's package confirms a snack and hydration at the finish, not a full meal.

You will still need to collect your race number in Puerto Natales on the two days before the race, and to reach the start by coach or a confirmed transfer. A lodge stay shifts the complexity to those points. It does not remove it.

Walking near the hotel is limited to the lodge grounds and nearby roads. After the race, rest is the plan. If the weather allows, short walks along the river near the lodge are possible on flat ground. Ask at reception what is open in September, because many outdoor activities in the park run in summer only. The glacier boat trips from Balmaceda and Serrano run from October to April, so they are not available in early September.

Check what the hotel offers for dinner and breakfast. Do not assume restaurant access beyond what the lodge confirms.

Moving on

Arrange the transfer back to Puerto Natales before you travel. Ask the lodge whether it can book a driver, and agree a time with enough margin for your onward connection. The drive is a long one, so avoid tight flight times on the same day. From Natales, the onward options are the airport at Puerto Natales (seasonal service) or a road journey to Punta Arenas, described in the Punta Arenas itinerary.