Glaciar Martial sits 7 kilometers north of Ushuaia, on the southern slope of the Martial mountain range, between 800 and 1,200 meters above sea level. Named after French naval officer Luis Fernando Martial, who led the 1882-1883 Cape Horn Scientific Mission and gave name to the surrounding range, the glacier was once the dominant ice mass overlooking the city, feeding the Buena Esperanza creek that supplies water to Ushuaia. Climate change has dramatically reduced the glacier — what visitors see today is mostly the empty cirque, seasonal snow (June-October) and a small residual ice mass above 1,200m. The chairlift that used to take visitors up was decommissioned in 2018 due to retreat. Today the destination is reached by foot via a 1.5 km trail (1 hour up, 200m elevation gain) starting from the base parking lot at 800m, leading to a panoramic lookout at 1,050 meters with 360-degree views over Ushuaia, the Beagle Channel, the Chilean Andes (Hoste and Navarino islands) and on clear days Cape Horn 250 km south. The base of the trail hosts the historic Café 1908, a tea house in a stone cottage serving Patagonian tea-time (USD 18) with calafate berry scones and hot chocolate. In winter (mid-June to mid-September), a small ski station operates with 4 runs and one chairlift (day pass USD 25-45) — modest by Argentine standards (Cerro Catedral has 35+ runs) but convenient for visitors already in Ushuaia. The area is the closest thing Ushuaia has to a mountain getaway. Trail and views are free; only the ski station and Café 1908 charge. For active travelers, Glaciar Martial pairs naturally with a Tierra del Fuego National Park day and a Beagle Channel cruise to complete the End of the World experience.
Getting there — distances & times
| From | Distance | Drive |
|---|---|---|
| Ushuaia center | 7 km | 15 min |
| Ushuaia airport (USH) | 12 km | 20 min |
| Tierra del Fuego National Park entrance | 18 km | 25 min |
| Beagle Channel pier | 8 km | 15 min |
Typical prices by category
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Trail to lookout (entry) | Free |
| Café 1908 coffee | USD 6 |
| Café 1908 tea-time | USD 18 |
| Café 1908 lunch | USD 22 |
| Ski day pass | USD 25-45 |
| Ski equipment rental | USD 30-50/day |
| Taxi from Ushuaia center | USD 8-15 one way |
| Public bus (high season) | USD 1.20 |
2026 rates. Trail and lookout are free. Costs are optional — Café 1908 and ski station only.
The Martial Trail — Step by Step
- Km 0 — Parking lot at 800m: Café 1908 is here. Trail starts behind the cafe. Sign-in registry for safety.
- Km 0-0.7 — Forest section: coihue and lenga forest. Easy gradient, well-marked path.
- Km 0.7-1.2 — Open slope: tree line ends. Wind picks up. Stunning views of Ushuaia begin.
- Km 1.2-1.5 — Rocky upper section: trail becomes rocky. Hiking shoes essential. Steeper grade.
- Km 1.5 — Lookout at 1,050m: 360-degree panorama. The cirque of the receding glacier is visible above. Beagle Channel and city below.
Climate Change at Glaciar Martial
The Martial Glacier is one of the clearest examples of climate change in Patagonia. Photos from 1900 show a substantial ice mass extending down to 700m. Today the ice has retreated to above 1,200m and is mostly residual. Studies by CONICET and CADIC estimate the glacier has lost over 70% of its mass since 1960. Ushuaia's water supply, historically dependent on Martial meltwater, is increasingly stressed. Visitors should not expect the impressive ice walls of Perito Moreno or Upsala — Martial is now a heritage site of climate change documentation, not a classic glacier experience.
Tours and Activities
Glaciar Martial Half Day Tour
Round-trip transfer from Ushuaia hotel, guided trail to the lookout, photo stops, tea-time at Café 1908 included.
Beagle Channel + Glaciar Martial Combo
Morning Beagle Channel cruise (sea lions, penguins) + afternoon Martial trail. Full day. Lunch and transfers included.
Glaciar Martial Ski Day
Full ski day including chairlift pass, equipment rental, beginner lesson, transfer from Ushuaia. June-September only.
Combine with Other Ushuaia Sights
- Ushuaia city: base for Martial; visit Fin del Mundo Museum, Maritime Museum.
- Beagle Channel cruise: sea lions, penguins, Les Eclaireurs lighthouse. Half day.
- Tierra del Fuego National Park: the southernmost national park. Full day.
- Estancia Harberton: historic ranch and penguin colony.
See also: Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, Tierra del Fuego, Skiing in Patagonia.
