Bernardo O'Higgins National Park

Bernardo O’Higgins National Park is a large protected area in southern Chilean Patagonia, named for the country’s first head of state and covering extensive glaciated and coastal terrain.

The park was established to protect large tracts of Patagonian icefields, fjords and ecosystems and carries the name of Bernardo O’Higgins. Over time it has remained a largely undeveloped reserve with conservation and limited-access management.

Located in southern Chilean Patagonia, the park spans remote coastal and icefield country along Chile’s southern Pacific coast and is reached primarily by sea or long overland journeys from regional towns.

• Access: Contains extensive fjords, channels and glaciated terrain; many areas are accessible mainly by boat and have limited on-land infrastructure.

What to See#

• Pío XI (Brüggen) Glacier: Pío XI (Brüggen) Glacier, one of the largest outlet glaciers of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and noted for its current advance relative to many neighbouring glaciers.
• Ice field sectors and fjords: Sectors of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field and numerous coastal fjords and glacial valleys that form the park’s core areas of glaciation and marine access.

• Plan access well in advance-much of Bernardo O'Higgins National Park is remote and many key areas are reachable only by boat or multi-day expedition, so book an experienced operator or transport early.
• Expect minimal facilities and long transit times between points of interest; organize logistics (boats, guided glacier trips) before you arrive and carry confirmations, because independent road access to many sectors is limited.
• Target specific features (for example, iceberg and glacier viewing excursions) with a licensed operator rather than attempting to explore the park piecemeal-you'll see more and reduce the risk of getting stranded in this very remote park.