Sofía Lagoon / Benitez hill

Laguna Sofía is one of the favorite places of the Outdoor Index staff due to the countless activities that can be done nearby (condor watching at the summit of Cerro Benitez, searching for rock paintings, enjoying a horseback ride around the lagoon, kayaking, etc.) as well as the incredible scenic beauty of the place that allows you to understand, in its hills and rock formations, the series of events that shaped the creation of the Patagonian landscape. Carved by glaciers up to 20,000 years ago and later eroded by the waters of a large paleolake that covered the province up to a height of approximately 150 m above sea level. This valley has stood out in the region for containing various archaeological sites that have allowed us to understand the recent past of the fauna that inhabited this area as well as the presence of humans, the first inhabitants of Patagonia, established here around 8,000 years ago.

Located 30 kilometers from Puerto Natales, this valley is one of the must-see attractions in the region. Perfect for spending the whole day biking, paddling, or hiking in its various hills that will allow you to extend your view far into the horizon. To the west, you will see the Last Hope Sound, the Prat mountain range, Whale Hill, and Mount Balmaceda. To the south, you will see Puerto Natales and all the mountains of the fjords, and to the east, you can glimpse the Dorotea mountain range, a natural border with Argentina.

It is very common to come across people on weekends. Since this place is also the beach of Puerto Natales, as soon as the sun warms up, everyone puts on their summer clothes and gets ready to go swimming in the icy waters of the lagoon. I recommend taking a good walk and finishing it with a well-deserved "dip". This way, we can recover our bodies from any physical discomfort and prepare ourselves to continue on our adventure.

"Located 30 kilometers from Puerto Natales, this valley is one of the must-see attractions in the region. Perfect for spending the whole day biking, paddling, or hiking in its various hills that will allow you to extend your view far into the horizon."

How to get to Laguna Sofía?

To get to the lagoon, you have to take the paved road (route 9) that goes towards Cerro Castillo and approximately at kilometer 30 (indicated on the signs) turn left and continue on the dirt road until you reach the feet of the lagoon. Due to the distance, you would prefer to rent a car. If you don't have that budget, you could rent a bike ($10,000 pesos / $17 USD per day) and get ready to enjoy the whole day. Always remember to bring food and water.

Important information about Laguna Sofía

Although the lagoon and its beach are public, all surrounding lands are private. That's why we ask you to have the utmost respect for the animals and nature of the place. Remember to take all your garbage with you and under no circumstances make a fire.