Haín Race: The Last Great Journey to the End of the World
The race begins in the city of Puerto Natales, heading north to enter Villa Cerro Castillo and the majestic Torres del Paine National Park, considered the Eighth Wonder of the World. This park rises as a scenic sanctuary in the heart of the southern Patagonian landscape, offering breathtaking views of the Towers of Paine (North, Central, and South), Cerro Almirante Nieto (2,440 m), Los Cuernos del Paine, and the mighty Paine Grande, crowned by its eternal glacial plateau and 3,050-meter summit.
The route fully traverses the Paine Range on gravel roads, delivering world-class vistas. It then loops back to Puerto Natales via the park’s western exit, passing through Villa Serrano and skirting the entrance to the Cueva del Milodón, a remarkable archaeological site once inhabited by the now-extinct milodón.
From there, the journey veers south, then east, crossing the vast and windswept landscapes of the steppe and Patagonian pampas, closely following the Chile–Argentina border. In this segment, relentless terrain and crosswinds will test your resolve.
You’ll then reach one of Chile’s least-known national parks: Pali Aike National Park, home to a surreal collection of volcanic craters and ancient “maars” that were active more than 15,000 years ago. The route continues through the historic town of San Gregorio, a cornerstone of Patagonian sheep ranching, shaped by the legacy of pioneer José Menéndez.
One of the race’s most symbolic moments comes as you cross the Strait of Magellan at its narrowest point: Punta Delgada. There, you’ll board a ferry that will carry you to the mythical Tierra del Fuego.
From Porvenir, you’ll head into the little-explored Cordón Baquedano, a mountain range steeped in gold mining history—still active to this day. You’ll also visit the King Penguin Park, one of the rare places on Earth where this magnificent bird can be seen in the wild.
Later, you’ll ride alongside the magnificent Lago Blanco, a paradise for sport fishing, and cross the vast Pampa Guanaco, a sweeping plain that signals the gateway to the ancient forests of Tierra del Fuego. Here begin the first glimpses of the Darwin Range, the least explored mountain chain left on the planet.
It will be autumn in southern Patagonia, and the lenga forests of the big island will cloak the landscape in fiery reds, offering surreal, dreamlike scenery. You’ll find yourself in one of Chile’s most coveted yet rarely traveled regions.
Before reaching your final destination, you’ll face a demanding switchback climb that will leave you breathless—but filled with joy. From there, a long and stunning descent awaits—the most beautiful and extended switchback you’ll ever ride—leading down toward the powerful Lago Fagnano.
With just 25 kilometers to go, you’ll cross the headwaters of the Azopardo River and set your sights on the long-awaited and mythical “End of the Road” at Caleta María, the deepest and most remote point of Chile’s far southern edge.
The glorious finish line of Gravel del Fuego