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Southbound: Final Frontier Patagonia (Video)
Earlier this year, 100 cyclists from across the globe set out on an extraordinary journey: a 3,000-kilometer crossing of Patagonia, from Chile to Argentina. “Southbound” is a video that documents the inaugural edition of Final Frontier Patagonia, an adventure that pushed human limits and forged lasting bonds. Read a recap and watch it here…
Words by Mercedes Weise / Austral Trails, photos by Clemente Díaz / Ángelo Castro / Alexis Fernández
The inaugural edition of Final Frontier Patagonia proved that a world-class ultra-endurance route across the length of Patagonia was not only possible, but truly exceptional. Organized by Austral Trails, a Chilean family-owned company led by father-and-daughter team Eduardo and Mercedes, the event was the result of five weeks of on-the-ground route development and eight months of preparation.
The course connected Patagonia’s most iconic roads—including the Carretera Austral, Ruta 40, Torres del Paine National Park, Tierra del Fuego, and the final approach to Ushuaia—while carefully balancing breathtaking nature with reliable access to resupply, accommodation, ferry schedules, border crossings, and emergency services. The final route spanned approximately 3,000 kilometers, with 21,200 meters of elevation gain, crossing seven national parks, four ferry routes, and three international borders through some of South America’s most remote landscapes.
The challenge began on March 8th, 2026, in Puerto Montt, the gateway to Patagonia. One hundred riders representing 24 nationalities, ranging in age from 24 to 70, including 23 percent women, set off on a self-supported, single-stage journey, divided into four segments, each ending at a checkpoint before the finish in Ushuaia. Participants had up to 24 days to complete the route without outside assistance, but collaboration between riders was actively encouraged.
Based on a no-race philosophy, Final Frontier Patagonia is built around the values of self-sufficiency and community. There are no podiums or prize money, only a carefully defined set of rules that preserves the unsupported nature of the challenge while fostering mutual respect among participants and for the culture and environment of Patagonia.
The opening days revealed the character of the event. Riders traversed the Carretera Austral, crossed fjords by ferry, climbed mountain passes, and pedaled through ancient temperate rainforests before reaching the first checkpoint in Coyhaique. Further south, the route entered increasingly remote terrain, from the shores of Lake General Carrera and Patagonia National Park to the vast Argentine steppe and the isolated gravel roads leading toward CP2 in El Calafate and the legendary Perito Moreno glacier.
Fierce headwinds, mechanical failures, and the infamous Malditos 73 tested equipment and determination, while heavy rain later transformed sections of the route into impassable mud. Throughout these hardships, riders repeatedly relied on one another and the hospitality of local communities, sharing tools, food, shelter, and encouragement, only to be rewarded with the spectacular views of Torres del Paine National Park, just before reaching CP3 in Punta Arenas.
The final segment crossed the Strait of Magellan into Tierra del Fuego, traversed vast steppes, sighted whales and dolphins in Bahía Inútil, and crossed the snowy Garibaldi Pass before finishing in Ushuaia. French rider Damien Penard became the first person ever to complete Final Frontier Patagonia, followed shortly by David J. Arthur, while others continued enduring autumn weather to finish within the 24-day limit. In total, 53 riders reached Ushuaia, confirming the success of the inaugural edition and establishing Final Frontier Patagonia as a true test of endurance, self-reliance, and resilience in one of the world’s last great wildernesses.
2026 Final Frontier Patagonia Stats
- Fastest time: 13 days, 0 hours
- Final finisher time: 23 days, 11 hours
- Average completion time: 18.7 days
- Average distance per day: 162 kilometers
Further Reading
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