Information and tips

Gravel del Fuego begins in Puerto Natales, deep in Chilean Patagonia.

Your journey starts with a flight to Santiago, the Capital of Chile (SCL). From there, you can fly directly to Puerto Natales (PNT), a well-equipped city and the main hub of the event.

This is the gateway to the edge of the world.

Haín – 1000K
The Haín finishes in Porvenir (if you quit the race in the continent, we leave you at the closets most developed city. If you finish the whole race, we leave you in Porvenir, so you can cross to Punta Arenas. The award ceremony takes place in Punta Arenas (PUQ), the closest major city. We strongly recommend booking your return flight from Punta Arenas to Santiago, and then home.

Milodón & Baqueanos
These races start and celebrate in Puerto Natales. The award ceremony is held on Sunday morning, after the race start. You can return home directly from Puerto Natales Airport.

If you arrive in Punta Arenas, you need to reach Puerto Natales, buses depart directly from the airport approximately every hour.

• Travel time: ~3.5 hours
• Cost: ~USD 13
• Bike transport: ~USD 10

Simple, reliable, and part of the Patagonian journey.

• Milodón & Baqueanos: no luggage transport service.
• Haín – 1000K: luggage transport is available.

The Haín ends far from where it starts. If you are in Puerto Natales and need to move all your gear to Punta Arenas, you can use our luggage transfer service.

On Friday, during the technical briefing, you may leave your bags with us for CLP 9,000 (approx. USD 10). We will deliver them to Punta Arenas so everything is waiting for you at the end of the journey.

Don´t forget about your drop bag and finish bag in advance. All details are explained in the Terms and Conditions on the Gravel del Fuego website.

This is not just a race.
It’s a crossing.

✔ Confirm your registered distance: Baqueanos (250 km) or Haín (1050 km)
✔ Read the entire guide kilometer by kilometer
✔ Understand that the guide may be updated
✔ Attend the mandatory technical briefing (April 10)
✔ Be clear that:

✔ Not all checkpoints provide food
✔ Some shelters have maximum stay limits
✔ There are areas with very limited or no services

✔ Arrive in Puerto Natales with enough time before the race
✔ Have accommodation booked (hotel, hostel, or camping)
✔ Identify places to eat properly and rest well before the start
✔ Resolve before the start:

✔ Pre-race nutrition
✔ Last-minute purchases
✔ Equipment adjustments

✔ Identify all checkpoints (CP1 to CP11)
✔ Know exactly:

✔ Which checkpoints provide food
✔ Which checkpoints provide water only
✔ Which checkpoints offer temporary shelter
✔ Plan to leave each checkpoint with enough water and food to reach the next reliable point

✔ Be aware that:

✔ CP5 has no food (water and emergency tents only)
✔ Some services depend on commercial opening hours

✔ Do not rely exclusively on kiosks or restaurants
✔ Consider that:

✔ Some minimarkets operate only during daytime
✔ Food may not be available at night

✔ Identify points with reliable food options:

✔ Larger towns and cities
✔ Specific hostels and hotels listed in the guide
✔ Pre-arranged food options mentioned in the guide
✔ Always carry emergency food reserves

✔ Identify in advance:

✔ Hostels and hotels
✔ Campgrounds
✔ Municipal shelters
✔ Huts, cabins, bus stops, and improvised shelters

✔ Be aware that:

✔ Some municipal shelters allow a maximum stay of four hours
✔ Some shelters are very basic
✔ Heating and beds are not guaranteed

✔ Be prepared to sleep indoors, in basic shelters, or in places without services

✔ Confirm drop bag usage (1000 km riders only)
✔ Maximum allowed size is 10 liters
✔ Define drop bag contents:

✔ Spare batteries
✔ Food
✔ Change of clothes
✔ Extra clothing to reinforce the layering system

✔ Deliver the drop bag during race kit pickup
✔ Be aware it will be returned to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales

✔ Be aware the ferry runs every hour
✔ Crossing time is approximately 30 minutes
✔ Operating hours are from 8:30 to 22:30
✔ Plan for possible waiting time
✔ Carry money to pay for passenger and bicycle
✔ Do not assume food will be available
✔ Be prepared for cold and wind while waiting

✔ Remember the Hosh Backcountry Dome is for emergency use only
✔ Entering the dome or requesting assistance results in disqualification
✔ Know which park entrances are included and which are not (e.g., Milodón Cave)
✔ Respect shelter and refuge usage rules
✔ Follow Leave No Trace principles when camping

✔ Assume long sections without mobile signal
✔ Some coordination must be done online
✔ Immediate help may not be available
✔ Plan for self-sufficiency between long segments
✔ Do not rely on external communication

✔ Know the exact finish line location
✔ Consider accommodation options at the finish
✔ Be aware that:

✔ Satellite communication will be available
✔ Post-race transport and activities are coordinated by the organization

✔ Prepare mentally for post-finish logistics

✔ Understand that this is a long, remote, and beautiful race.
✔ Don’t improvise your nutrition or rest.
✔ Respect the rules even in conditions of extreme fatigue.
✔ Consider the technical briefing as part of your preparation.
✔ Race with strategy and spirit, not just strength.