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Natural monument · Puerto Natales, Magalhães e Antártica Chilena
Cueva del Milodón
A 200-meter-deep cave in the Monumento Natural Cueva del Milodón, 24 km from Puerto Natales, where remains of an extinct giant sloth were found.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Cueva del Milodón
The Cueva del Milodón sits on the slopes of Cerro Benítez, about 24 km north of Puerto Natales, inside a natural monument managed by CONAF. The main cave is roughly 30 meters high, 80 meters wide at the mouth and 200 meters deep, carved by the waters of an ancient glacial lake.
In 1895, the German explorer Hermann Eberhard found there a piece of skin with fur, so well preserved it looked recent. It belonged to the milodón, a giant ground sloth that lived in the region until the end of the last glaciation. Later excavations found bones, dung and remains of other extinct animals, as well as signs of human occupation thousands of years old.
At the entrance of the main cave there is a life-size replica of the milodón, built in 1978. The monument includes two smaller caves and the Silla del Diablo, a chair-shaped rock formation, connected by short marked trails.
The cave's history inspired the travel book Na Patagônia by Bruce Chatwin, which tells the author's search for a piece of milodón skin.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
Between one hour and one-and-a-half hours for the main cave, the smaller caves and the Silla del Diablo.
Best time
Open year-round, with shorter hours in winter. It lies on the route between Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine, so many tours stop there on the way to or from the park.
How to get there
It is about 24 km north of Puerto Natales via Ruta Y-290, which branches off Ruta 9 toward the park. There is no regular public transport; go by car, taxi or with a tour operator.
Tip
Bring a flashlight or use your phone's light to see the darker corners of the cave. If you go by car, combine the visit with your trip to the park to avoid repeating the route.
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Cueva del Milodón
What is the milodón?
A giant ground sloth that lived in Patagonia until the end of the last glaciation. It could exceed two meters in height when it stood on its hind legs.
Can you get to the Cueva del Milodón by bus?
There is no regular bus service. The most common way is by car, taxi, or by including the stop on a tour to Torres del Paine.
How much time do you spend at the Cueva del Milodón?
About an hour to walk through the main cave and the trails to the other formations.