Final Frontier Patagonia

Final Frontier Patagonia is a 2,966 km solo, unsupported bikepacking challenge from Puerto Varas in Chile's Lake District to Ushuaia, Argentina, the city at the end of the world. Created by Chilean family-owned company Austral Trails and part of the Bike Adventure Series, the 2nd edition starts on 6 March 2027 and is capped at 200 riders.

This is not a race and not a guided tour. There are no rankings or timers; it's about you against yourself and the elements. Riders follow a fixed route along the Carretera Austral, Ruta 40 and the Ruta de los Parques, past Torres del Paine and the Perito Moreno Glacier, then across the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel.

Checkpoints at Coyhaique, El Calafate and Punta Arenas double as intermediate finish points, so a shorter challenge is possible. Entry covers a satellite tracker, ferry tickets, park entries and a local SIM, while accommodation, food and logistics are up to you.

Highlights:

• Ride the Carretera Austral, with its wild unpaved stretches and ferry crossings
• Hanging glacier of Ventisquero Colgante in Queulat National Park
• Torres del Paine and the Perito Moreno Glacier
• Crossing the Strait of Magellan to Tierra del Fuego
• Whale spotting on the Beagle Channel as you finish in Ushuaia
• Seven national parks and three border crossings between Chile and Argentina

Surface and terrain:
About 60% paved and 40% gravel on remote roads, including rough unpaved sections of the Carretera Austral and Ruta 40. Mountainous terrain past glaciers, forests and lakes, with four scheduled ferry crossings.

Weather:
End of the southern summer. Afternoons can reach 25°C, dropping to 0°C early morning and overnight. Expect strong winds, heavy rain and possibly snow or hail; layered, waterproof clothing is essential.

Suitable for:
Experienced, self-sufficient bikepackers with good judgement and solid preparation. Not limited to elite ultra-athletes, but riders must be comfortable riding alone in remote areas, handling their own navigation, repairs, food and shelter in unpredictable conditions.