Martial Glacier: Ushuaia's Accessible Andean Glacier

The Martial Glacier sits 7 km north of downtown Ushuaia, at the foot of Cerro Martial in the Fuegian Andes, and its lower trailhead is reachable by taxi in about 15 minutes. The glacier itself has retreated to a small ice mass above roughly 1,200 m, but the hike to the frontal viewpoint at around 1,050 m delivers the city's best close-range panorama of Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel and the surrounding peaks. Entry to the trail system is free; the chairlift, when operating, is a separate paid service.

Getting to the Martial Glacier from Ushuaia

Taxi, rideshare and private transfer

The fastest option is a taxi or remís from the city center, which takes roughly 15 minutes and costs about 8,000–10,000 Argentine pesos each way (fares fluctuate with inflation — confirm the return price with your driver before setting off, because taxis are scarce at the trailhead late in the day). The road is packed gravel and ends at a parking area at the base of the ski slope, so a standard car handles it fine outside of heavy snow.

On foot from downtown

Walking the 7 km road from the city takes 1.5 to 2 hours of continuous climbing, with no shade and shared traffic. It is a legitimate warm-up if you are fit and have a full day, but most visitors sensibly save their legs for the trail above. There is no urban bus line to the base.

Chairlift and winter access

The Cerro Martial chairlift reopened on 19 June 2026 after more than a decade out of service — a new quad lift with a capacity of about 1,450 passengers per hour. In winter it serves roughly 20 hectares of skiable terrain and a main run of about 1,300 m; in summer it cuts the first stretch of the ascent for hikers. The complex operates year-round, with winter hours around 10:00–16:30, but schedules shift by season, so check cerromartial.com.ar before you go.

Hiking trails, viewpoints and what you actually see

Glacier Viewpoint Circuit

This is the route nearly everyone wants: about 2,500 m round trip with 220 m of gain, taking roughly 75 minutes one way at an easy pace. The path climbs through lenga forest and glacial moraine, crossing streams fed by the Buena Esperanza — the meltwater source that supplies much of Ushuaia's drinking water. Near the top, a short steep section has steps and a handrail; the final 150 m is the hardest part of the day.

Laguna viewpoint and the Winds Circuit

The Laguna viewpoint sits in a hanging valley above the main trail and rewards the extra effort with three glacial pools that are invisible from below. The so-called Winds Circuit (Circuito de las Nubes), which appears in some hiking apps, is not authorized — skip it. Distances and times add up quickly at this latitude, so plan a half day for the main viewpoint and a full one if you continue higher.

What the glacier looks like now

Be honest with yourself about the ice. In summer (December–March) the glacier shrinks to patches in the cirque; if you come in January expecting a wall of blue ice, you will be disappointed. The rewards are the forest, the moraine, and that view: on a clear day the city spreads out below with the Beagle Channel and the islands beyond it. Clouds can swallow the panorama in minutes, so take your photos when the window opens.

Seasons, weather and practical preparation

Summer versus winter

Summer brings up to 17 hours of daylight, 9–15 °C in town and noticeably colder air up top, with trails open to the high viewpoints. Winter (June–September) turns the mountain into a small ski hill with around 350 cm of average annual snowfall, plus snowshoeing and sledding; daylight is short, so start early. Late spring and early autumn are quiet compromises — fewer people, changeable weather.

Gear and safety

The weather changes fast: it is entirely normal to start in sunshine, walk into light rain and finish in snow within a single outing. Bring waterproof layers, hiking shoes with grip, trekking poles and water. Guided treks (typically 5 hours, around US$95–115, groups capped at 12) supply poles, crampons in winter and a box lunch, and operators insist on mountain clothing and boots. The trail is well marked and does not require a guide in normal conditions, but crampons or spikes are essential once the path ices over.

Facilities and costs

At the base there is a tea house and a small restaurant — useful for a hot drink before or after the climb. Trail access is free; the chairlift and any guided tour are paid extras. Fees and lift rates change, so confirm current prices at the official site or the tourist information center in Ushuaia.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to hike the Martial Glacier?

Budget 2.5 to 3 hours round trip to the main glacier viewpoint, or 4 to 5 hours if you continue to the Laguna viewpoint. Fit hikers reach the first platform in about an hour.

Do I need a tour or a guide?

The trail is well marked and free to enter, so a guide is optional. A guided half-day trek costs roughly US$95–115 and includes transport, poles and lunch — worth it in winter or if you want the Laguna viewpoint without route-finding.

Is the chairlift running, and what does it cost?

The new Cerro Martial chairlift reopened in June 2026 and operates year-round, with winter hours around 10:00–16:30. Lift tickets and ski passes are priced separately from trail access; check cerromartial.com.ar for current rates.

What should I wear?

Waterproof jacket and trousers, hiking boots with grip, and layers you can add or remove. Snow or ice can appear on the upper trail even in shoulder season, so carry spikes or poles if you plan to go beyond the first viewpoint.