Cueva del Milodón

The Cueva del Milodón is a huge cave in a rock wall of the Sierra Benítez, a short drive north of Puerto Natales, and it holds one of the best-known stories in Patagonian natural history. In the late nineteenth century, a settler found a large piece of skin and bones inside the cave that turned out to belong to a giant ground sloth, a shaggy herbivore that once roamed the region and vanished thousands of years ago. The discovery excited naturalists and travellers, and the cave remains the area's most famous prehistoric site. Today you walk in on a path through the entrance, which is enormous, tall enough and wide enough to swallow a house, and at the far end you find a few remains and signs that explain the find. Outside, a life-size model of the sloth stands near the entrance, a favourite for photographs, and a trail winds around the base of the cliff with views of the steppe, the lake and the mountains. The visit is short, usually an hour or so on site, and is often combined with a larger Torres del Paine day or with a half-day trip from Puerto Natales.

The setting makes the cave worth visiting beyond the story. It lies on a protected nature reserve at the foot of a vertical, layered cliff, and from the car park you can see why humans and animals sheltered there for thousands of years. Archaeologists have found evidence of early inhabitants of the region in and around the cave, along with the remains of other extinct animals, which gives the place a layered feeling of deep time.

The interior is cool and quiet, with a high, vaulted roof, and a short walk is enough to feel the scale. Interpretive panels in English and Spanish explain what is known and what remains uncertain.

Practical advice is simple. Wear sturdy shoes, as the path is uneven and can be damp, and bring a windproof layer because the exposed cliff top can be gusty even in sunshine. The site is open most days, with an entrance fee typically paid separately at the gate, so carry some Chilean pesos or check whether your tour includes it.

The excursion from Puerto Natales usually takes about half a day, and some versions add a short stop at a viewpoint over Lago Sofía or a visit to a nearby rock formation known locally as the Devil's Chair. There is a small café and a shop near the entrance. Because Chile is a separate country, bring your passport if you cross from Argentina.

Think about where it fits. If you are staying in Puerto Natales, the cave is an easy way to fill a morning before an afternoon cruise, or a good plan on a day when the weather in the mountains is poor, since much of the visit is sheltered. Families with children will find the model and the size of the cave a hit.

It is also one of the stops on many Torres del Paine day tours, which is why it is easy to see the cave without planning anything separately. If you have limited time and have to choose between the cave and a glacier cruise, choose the cruise, but if you have a spare half-day, this small, strange place is a very good use of it.