- Pali-Aike National Park
Is a vast rock field of volcanic lava origin whose crater has remained
active since the Pliocene. Throughout its 5030 hectares area tourists
can admire extensive fields of basaltic lava, which have long determined
the existence of sparse, almost desert-like vegetation.
The local
fauna comprises skunks, grey foxes, guanacos and bats; there are
also several low volcanic cones, lava formations and plots of land
which resemble lunar landscapes. Also, prehistoric human remains
about fifteen thousand years old were discovered in the Pali Aike
and Fell caves. The park is located in the area of San Gregorio,
province of Magallanes, just 196 kilometers north-west of Punta
Arenas. .
- Magallanes National Reserve
Reserve covers an area of 19,625 hectares and was created in 1932.
It has an undulating topography and the Las Minas river is its main
watercourse. The area features several indigenous flora species,
such as coihue and lenga trees, and a varied wild
fauna, comprising the "culpeo" fox, pumas, "little woolly
mice" and "small-footed mice".
Besides there are various native
bird species, such as the Upland Goose, the Bustard, the Lake Duck,
the Ashen-headed Goose , the Southern Thrush, the Rufus-collared
Sparrow, the Long-tailed Meadowlark, the "chercán", the
"tiupe", the Black-bodied Woodpecker, the Chilean "Flicker"
and the Condor. The reserve is located west to Punta Arenas,
about 5 miles away.
- Alacalufes National Reserve
Presents a landscape of low mountainous islands with numerous channels and fjords. It contains the western archipelagos of the province of Ultima Esperanza. Its indigenous fauna consists mainly of bird species and mammals.
- Parrillar Lagoon National Reserve
Reserve covers an area of 18,414 hectares and its altitude ranges
from 300 to 650 meters. It was created in 1977 and is located 52
kilometers south of the city of Punta Arenas. The
main attraction within this protected area is the Parrillar Lagoon,
with a surface area of 970 hectares. In winter, the rivers and lagoons
freeze, forming ice layers up to 30 cm. thick.
Within the reserve, tourists can practise trekking along the San
Juan river (60 kilometers south of Punta Arenas)
and admire one of the most beautiful hydrographic basins in the
Brunswick peninsula.