UPDATE from Jan Dudeck:
During the last Patagonian summer I continued the investigation and publication of the Greater Patagonian Trail. The trail has now a total length of 1400 to 1500 km – depending on the options chosen – and the trail description contains may updates. I.e. section 17 and 18 were added this year and KMZ and GPX files with plenty of waypoints and several alternative routes are published for all sections.
Also the first hikers have completed the trail or parts of if base on this publication. One Israeli hiker walked sections 1 to 16 in about 50 days (all that was published at this time) and at least 8 more hikers did substantial parts of the Greater Patagonian Trail based on this trail description. …
This trail is not finished yet. There is plenty of terrain left till this trail finally reaches the southern tip of Patagonia and ends either on the shores of the Magellan street or even on Tierra del Fuego. But what is published so far can be hiked by a well experienced self-reliant hiker without much seek and search.
I also look forward that other hikers contribute to this trail by verifying some of the options and adding more sections. The publication on “wikiexplora” permits and facilitates such contributions because “wikiexplora” allows like “wikipedia” a collaboration of multiple authors.
Email: jan.dudeck (a) gmx.ch
Website: http://www.wikiexplora.com/index.php/Greater_Patagonian_Trail
___ original post from Sept 8, 2014:
… in South America leads right through the heart of the legendary Patagonian Andes. It’s a stunningly beautiful and diverse trail that crosses volcanic fields, idyllic Andean valleys, snow covered mountain ranges, lush green forests and deep blue lakes and rivers. …
The complete trail can be hiked in one summer season and requires approx. 90 to 120 days …
The generally recommended trekking direction is southbound …
The Greater Patagonian trail is not an official trail that is set up and managed by a government agency. Is simply a compilation of horse trails, minor roads and some cross country sections …
The trail is mostly unmarked, partly not visible and only smaller fractions are documented with maps. Therefore a GPS is essential for navigation. In addition an electronic topographical map is recommended. …
River Crossings are possibly the greatest hazard …
wikiexplora – Greater Patagonian Trail
I’m considering a trip to Patagonia starting January 2016. Certainly I’ll do a section of the GPT, if I can. 🙂
It is cool that someone had a basic same idea as me in the same year. I did a 3000 km thru hike of Patagonia just now in 2014. From Volcan Villarica to the Cruz de los mares in the Magellan straits. Thank you for posting this. I’ll go and read about this journey. This is awesome.
Cheers,
Yeti
http://yetithruhikes.blogspot.co.il/2014/05/sdp.html
holy shit!!, i was looking for a track to visit some lakes on my region (i live in Chile, VII region) on google earth, and i see a lot of pictures on my track…. they come from you and you amazing trail in my country. you just leaveme without words. thanks so much for sharing your trip and tracks with us. you make more easier to us to planificate a trip in our playground!!
hello!!! I am looking to hike a large section of the trail in October and was wondering if you have any advice for buying a pack raft… I have been looking for a two seater or two one-seaters for my partner……. We can’t really afford to buy new ones for what will more than likely be a one time use….. HELP
Great question. I have no advice. Hopefully one of the readers will comment.
One expert is this guy …
http://www.alastairhumphreys.com/adventures/transiceland/
The timing is past but Oct usually is not a good time to be on most sections of this trail. Waters are still too high.
When in January are you starting?! This is just what I’ve been looking for,
My trip is still up in the air.
Best case scenario I’ll arrive around Jan 15th. Head first to the Dientes Circuit.
https://besthike.com/s-america/patagonian-andes/dientes-circuit/
Then start north doing week long sections of the Greater Patagonian. Cycling. No fixed itinerary.
I am looking for a route by horseback and wondered if you thought the Greater Patagonian Trail would be possible on horses?
Thanks for pulling the info on this trail together.
Nicola Ross
Contact Jan Dudeck by email.
Email: jan.dudeck (a) gmx.ch
A young woman solo rode a significant portion of the trail on horseback. Most of these trails are made by people traveling on horseback as that is the main mode of transportation through some of these areas so I do think your plan is plausible if you know horses and know how to ride one of their SA saddles.
We just completed this trek as part of our walk along the Andes. So far from Ushuaia, Argentina to Santiago, Chile. An additional article to Jan’s Wikiexplora posts is: https://her-odyssey.org/tag/thru-hike-patagonia/
Gracias Fidgit. We’ll link to your post on the 16th. 🙂