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There’s no better feeling than the feet-on-the-ground immersion you get from a travel adventure like hiking. Antarctica, with its expansive vistas, pristine glaciers and summits, and maritime horizons, is the ultimate hiking venue, whether you’re trekking in Neko Harbor above a giant penguin colony, taking in the ghostly ruins of the Deception Island whaling station, or following the trail of legendary polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton on South Georgia Island.
An expedition cruise takes you to these remote places in style, with ample opportunities to explore on foot. Learn more about hiking at the bottom of the globe with help from James Hyde, an expedition leader and naturalist with Lindblad Expeditions, the pioneers of Antarctic exploration with more than 55 years of expedition heritage.
Exploring the Wilderness by Hiking in Antarctica
In Antarctica, there are very few designated trails, so visitors should be ready to navigate off-trail sand, tundra, mud, scree, and low-angle snow, which is best done with a sturdy pair of knee-high, waterproof, neoprene boots—bring your own pair or rent through an outfitter like Ship to Shore Traveler.
Hikes on a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions voyage typically follow a template, Hyde explains: Guests leave the ship in waves of 10, shuttling to the beach in Zodiacs, before heading out with no more than 20 people per naturalist guide. With 10 to 12 naturalist guides like Hyde per 100 passengers, you’ll enjoy lots of individual attention and interpretation along the way.
Hikes are typically ranked by length or intensity and guests can choose whichever suits them best. “Some people just want to go stand on the beach and look at the penguins, while some folks want a bit more of a leg stretch, which we’ll try to accommodate,” says Hyde.
Depending on the stop, there may be a variety of options: a low-key beach mission like the one mentioned above, a longer “beachcomber” exploration of a fossiliferous shoreline, a short jaunt surrounded by glacial ice, or a steeper, more strenuous climb up scree to reach a panoramic hilltop.
How Physically Fit Do I Need to Be to Hike in Antarctica?
None of the hikes offered on a National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions Antarctica voyage would be considered “hardcore” in the typical hiking sense—they’re more “business casual,” Hyde jokes. Rarely do they exceed three miles or three hours, so if you’re in reasonably good shape, they’ll be within your comfort zone.
For guests with physical limitations or mobility issues, there are also options to get on shore, take in the sights, and see wildlife, with minimal walking. And for those looking for more of a challenge, there are longer, more demanding outings like the Shackleton hike on South Georgia Island, with 1,000 feet of elevation gain along its 3.5-mile length.
If you’re interested in those tougher hikes, some basic cardio prep like fast walking, stationary biking, walking on the treadmill, or hiking locally one or two times a week should suffice to prepare you.
What Kind of Clothing Should I Take Hiking?
“Most guests who come from mountainous or colder climates will feel right at home in Antarctica—or maybe even find it surprisingly warmer,” says Hyde. That said, the weather can change quickly, roaring in directly off the sea. To remain comfortable, you’ll want to dress correctly, with the right expeditionary gear:
- Knee-high, waterproof, neoprene boots: These are crucial for keeping your feet warm, dry, and clean.
- Waterproof jacket: A hooded, insulated, and water-repellent jacket.
- Note that on National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions voyages, a complimentary parka or jacket is provided to guests.
- Warm socks: Tall, thick socks made from wool or wool blend
- Gloves or mittens: Ideally waterproof or water-resistant
- Base layer: Polypropylene long underwear (tops and bottoms)
- Mid layer/s: Sweaters, synthetic hoodies, and/or down vests
- Weather-resistant pants: Fleece pants or wind-/water-resistant pants
- Warm hat: Wool or synthetic
What Other Gear Should I Bring for Hiking?
In addition to warm clothing, you’ll need a few other mission-critical sundries to ensure you have an optimal experience on land:
- Walking poles: Good for support on descents and uneven ground.
- Sunglasses: Choose UV-blocking sunglasses to protect against strong rays as well as snow blindness.
- Sunscreen/lip balm: Bring at least SPF 30 to protect any exposed skin against the sun, as well as against glare off the water and snow.
- Wide-brimmed sun hat: To prevent sunburn and block glare
- Refillable water bottle
- Small, water-resistant day pack: To carry your essentials, including any clothing you might want to layer on or strip off as you hike.
- Cameras, extra batteries and other gear: Because, of course, you’re going to take lots of pictures.
Top Hikes in Antarctica
Certain hikes pique visitors’ imaginations, whether for the scenery, the history, the opportunity to see wildlife, or some combination of the three. There is no official trail map for Antarctica, and the hikes can vary from cruise to cruise depending on conditions. Regardless, all expedition-cruise-supported hiking takes place during Antarctica’s high season, from November through March.
Here are four top hikes in the region, two of which you are able to experience with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions:
Deception Island - Whalers Bay, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica
Hyde calls this a “very cool” hike, comprising a flat, two-mile loop out through an abandoned whaling station, including the collapsed bunkhouse, airplane hanger, a flensing station, and the vats used to store whale blubber. It’s also a hydrothermal area inside a volcanic caldera, with steam rising eerily off the black-sand beach. Travelers can embark on this fascinating hike on select Antarctica voyages with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions.
Observation Hill Loop - McMurdo Station, Ross Dependency, Antarctica
This hike leaves from the United States’ main Antarctic research station, established on Ross Island in 1956 and today a small city capable of housing up to 1,500 researchers and staff. The 2.5-mile loop gains 820 feet up Observation Hill, from where you can see McMurdo and the sea ice beyond, which forms spectacular pressure ridges in winter.
Hike to Point Eight via Glacier Top - Palmer Station, Antarctica
Like McMurdo, Palmer is a U.S. research station situated on Anvers Island along the Antarctic Peninsula—and open to just two ship visits a year. This hike lets inhabitants (and the rare visitors) get some air with a 3.6-mile out-and-back that gains 1,128 feet and finishes at Point Eight on the shoreline, with the chance to see ice, penguins, and elephant seals.
Shackleton Crossing - South Georgia Island
This iconic walk, which retraces Ernest Shackleton’s desperate attempt to save the shipwrecked party of the Endurance, brings people closer to the human history, as well as the natural history, of South Georgia, says Hyde. While there is no trail or flags, guides are well-versed in the route. They will lead you up the 1000 feet of elevation gain over four miles from Fortuna Bay, eastward and down into Stromness, where the remains of the famed whaling station are still standing.
Guests aboard National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions voyages to South Georgia will have the opportunity to experience this storied hike.
Antarctica Hiking FAQs
Along with the number of guests allowed to disembark at any given landing site, there are a few other regulations when it comes to hiking in Antarctica. First, you must be aboard one of the expeditions run by a member of IAATO, and second, all designated Antarctica Specially Protected Areas are closed to the public, to protect the landscape and sensitive wildlife.
That said, most of the coastline is open to commercial excursions, making Antarctica not only a great place to hike, but also to kayak and hone your photography skills.
Here are a few more interesting things to know about hiking Antarctica.
Who Crossed Antarctica First?
Englishman Sir Vivian Fuchs led the first overland crossing of Antarctica via the South Pole in 1957-58. His British Commonwealth Trans-Atlantic expedition used snowcats and covered 2,158 miles in 99 days, creeping along at only 2 or 3 mph on the more heavily crevassed glaciers.
How Hard is it to Trek to the South Pole?
It is extremely difficult to trek to the South Pole, a feat that requires top fitness, specialized gear, logistical and provisional planning and support, as well as a thirst for adventure. On foot, treks take anywhere from fifty to sixty-plus days, finishing at 9,300 feet elevation at the pole itself. If you are up for the challenge, your best bet is to go with an IAATO-member guided outfitter.
What Is the Best Time to Go Hiking in Antarctica?
The best time to hike in Antarctica is the same as the best (and only) time you can visit the region on a cruise: November through March, the season that encompasses the austral summer, when temperatures warm up to a mild 24 to 40 degrees F, and the midnight sun offers ample time to spend outdoors exploring.
Will I Need to Wear Snowshoes or Crampons in Antarctica?
That depends on the company you are traveling with—some might offer a guided snowshoe adventure that requires specialized footwear. That is not the case with National Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions whose naturalists stick to gentle slopes that don't require crampons and where the snow is rarely deep enough to require snowshoes. The expedition staff will also stamp in a footpath that makes it much easier for guests to follow behind them.
Do I Need to be an Experienced Hiker?
Most of the hikes that happen on an expedition cruise to Antarctica will not require you to be an experienced hiker. A Zodiac will take you to shore—with any luck motoring past beautiful icebergs—to a mellow debarkation point and outings catered to a range of fitness and experience. Simply sign up for the excursion that sounds best.
What Else Happens on an Expeditionary Cruise?
Along with hiking, there are many other ways to actively explore the legendary White Continent—from kayaking and Zodiac cruising among icebergs to wildlife photography (penguins top everyone’s list!) and another crowd pleaser—the polar plunge.
Aboard a National Geographic-Lindblad expedition ship, you’ll not only travel in style—with a private luxury room and fine dining—but you’ll also enjoy an array of onboard activities including morning yoga, expert-led lectures, photography workshops, spa treatments, stargazing, spending the night in a glass igloo on deck (on select ships) and guided undersea exploration via a Remotely Operated Vehicle.
Can You Hike in Antarctica?
You can hike in Antarctica, as long as you visit with an IAATO member, stick to the non-restricted areas, and follow some simple leave-no-trace rules to minimize your impact (no snacks or discarded wrappers, no collecting artifacts or fossils, no urinating, etc.).
Why Can't You Pee in the Snow in Antarctica?
The thought of christening that pristine white snow might seem tempting, but it is imperative you wait until you’re back on board to visit the loo. The first reason is to protect the fragile landscape from non-native nutrients and bacteria.
The second is that you aren't allowed to leave any manmade traces in the snow, including snowmen, cairns, litter, or your pee. The best, most-accessible hiking places see a lot of tourists, says Hyde, “And the last thing anyone wants to see when you feel like you’re at the end of the world is a bunch of pee holes!”
Learn about passport requirements for traveling to Antarctica.
There is so much to discover while hiking in Antarctica, for visitors of any ability and level of hiking experience. The glaciers, the icebergs, the seals, the penguins, the terns, the fossils, the beaches, the mountains, and the wide-open skies are sights best glimpsed from ground level, on a guided hike through one of the last great wildernesses on earth.
