Ancient lava fields and volcanic craters shape this Chilean landscape, where 11,000-year-old caves reveal early human settlements and guanacos roam the Magellanic Steppe.
National Park Pali Aike in Chile’s Magallanes region lets you walk on jagged lava fields formed by ancient eruptions, watch guanacos roam open plains, and enter caves once used by humans over 11,000 years ago. Established in 1970, the park covers 5,030 hectares of basalt rock, volcanic craters, and dry grasslands. Look for pink flamingos in shallow lakes, hike the edges of the Morada del Diablo crater, and find stone tools left by early hunter-gatherers. This area reveals how geology and human survival shaped one of Patagonia’s most extreme environments.
The Pali Aike volcanic field created much of the park’s rugged terrain, with lava flows and craters formed over thousands of years. Black basalt rock covers the ground, split into sharp ridges that look like a frozen river. Morada del Diablo, a crater 150 meters wide, rises abruptly from the plains, its walls exposing layers of ash and rock. Walking the rim lets you see smaller vents and the vast Magellanic Steppe stretching to the horizon. Scientists come here to study volcanic activity from the end of the Ice Age, but you can still notice the raw power of these landscapes without a geology degree.
Guanacos, wild camelids with slender necks, graze in groups across the grasslands. Pumas sometimes leave tracks near caves or rocks, though spotting one requires luck and patience. At Laguna Ana, a lake near the park entrance, Chilean flamingos wade through shallow water with black-necked swans and sheldgeese. Coirón grass grows in clumps across the steppe, surviving strong winds and dry soil. Shrubs like Mata Negra and Calafate thrive here—locals use Calafate berries to make sweet jams. Lichens slowly break down lava rocks, creating enough soil for hardy plants to take root.
Pali Aike Cave, found in the 1930s, holds traces of some of the earliest people in southern Patagonia. Digs revealed stone spear tips, fire pits, and burned human bones dating back 11,000 years. The Aonikenk people, who lived here later, hunted guanacos and rheas using boleadoras—weights tied to cords—after Spanish settlers brought horses to the region. Red pigment marks on cave walls suggest rituals or storytelling. In 1998, UNESCO proposed the cave for its cultural importance due to these discoveries.
Three marked paths let you explore the park. The Morada del Diablo Circuit takes about 3.5 hours, circling the crater and passing lava formations with views of distant mountains. A 30-minute walk leads to Pali Aike Cave, where signs detail its archaeological finds. Laguna Ana is a short stroll from the parking area, best visited early to see birds feeding. All trails demand sturdy shoes—the ground is uneven, and winds can sweep across the plains without warning. Rangers at the CONAF station near the entrance give free maps and recommend checking weather conditions before hiking.
Reach the park by driving three hours from Punta Arenas on Route 9, followed by a rough gravel road requiring a 4x4 vehicle. Guided tours from Punta Arenas simplify logistics, with transport and bilingual guides included. Entry costs 2,500 CLP for Chileans and 4,500 CLP for foreign visitors. Bring a wind-resistant jacket, sunscreen, and all the water you’ll need—no shops or cafes exist inside the park. Winter temperatures frequently fall below freezing, but summer days (December–February) average 10–15°C. If exploring on your own, plan six to seven hours to see all major sites.
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