Discovering the Milodon Cave

Just 24 kilometers north of Puerto Natales lies the **Milodón Cave Natural Monument**. It's an almost mandatory stop before continuing to Torres del Paine, or as a destination for a day trip from Puerto Natales.

History and Mystery In 1895, German explorer Hermann Eberhard discovered in this cave remains of skin and bones of a giant prehistoric animal: the Milodon (*Mylodon darwinii*). This animal belonged to the South American megafauna that inhabited the continent thousands of years ago, alongside megatheres, glyptodonts, and mastodons.

What's fascinating isn't just the animal itself, but the mystery of how it went extinct. Studies suggest that the first humans who arrived in the area may have hunted the milodons, although there were also significant climate changes involved.

The Current Experience Today you can tour the main cave, which is over 200 meters deep. Inside you'll see different geological sediment layers that tell the story of the place. At the entrance there's a life-size replica of the milodon, that classic photo everyone takes.

The complete circuit (cave + viewpoint + trail) takes approximately 1.5-2 hours. It's accessible for children and doesn't require special physical condition, making it perfect for families.

Fun Fact The name "Milodon" comes from Greek and means "mill tooth," a reference to the flat, wide teeth of the animal, adapted to chew fibrous vegetation. The milodon could measure up to 3 meters long and weigh around 1,000-1,500 kg.

How to Get There From Puerto Natales, take Route 9 north (road to Punta Arenas) for approximately 24 km. There's clear signage. You can go by car or taxi (approximately $15,000 CLP round trip). There's no direct public transportation.

Combine it with a visit to Puerto Natales, the town that's the gateway to extreme Patagonia. From Estepa Patagónica you can organize the excursion or simply take your car and leave whenever you want.