Hike To The World's Corner At Muelle De Las Almas, Chile

A preview of Patagonia’s beauty

The Patagonia region is widely known for its beauty and diversity. From cliffs overlooking the ocean to snow-capped mountains, you can see it all in one trip. While heading further south requires more time, money, effort, and is more physically demanding, a trip to Chiloe is a great alternative.

Located around 1200 km (745 miles) south of Santiago, Chiloe Island is your window to the southernmost part of Patagonia. This island consists of one big island and several islets separated from the mainland due to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. As a result, this area is filled with lakes, cliffs, and green open areas which are mostly used as pasture fields.

Where is Muelle De Las Almas?

On the western tip of Chiloe Island, lies Muelle de las Almas. It is located right on the edge of a small cape, reaching towards the ocean. This area is 12 km (7.45 miles) from the closest town, Cucao, and the largest lake in Chiloe Island, Lake Huillinco. From Castro, the largest town in Chiloe, Muelle de las Almas is 62.4 km (38.77 miles) away.

How to get to Muelle De Las Almas

If you’re traveling to Chiloe Island on a flight via Santiago, your aircraft will land in Mocopulli Airport, about 20 km (12.42 miles) north of Castro. You can either rent a cabin in Cucao or spend the night in Castro instead. Since Castro is the island’s biggest town, you will have more accommodation and dining options. Also, it is easier to get a taxi, bus, or rent a car in Castro. If you’re traveling via land transportation, you will end up docking in a harbor of Dalcahue or Castro.

From Castro, the drive to Muelle de las Almas is about 1 hour and 20 minutes. I recommend you renting a car and driving there yourself as there are so many beautiful viewpoints for a quick photo stop or a few minutes break surrounded by nature. To rent a car in Chile, you need a credit card for the deposit, even though the fee itself can be paid in cash or with a debit card. You should also have your international driving license with you. And don’t forget to bring your passport, as it is required for registration.

If driving a car is not an option, you can get to Cucao on a bus from a bus station in Castro, and continue your journey on foot or by taxi. The bus fare from Castro to Cucao is 2.500 CLP (3 USD), while a taxi can cost around 40 USD (35.000 CLP). Keep in mind that there’s no direct bus to Muelle de las Almas. Any transportation option you choose will still require you to hike towards the main attraction itself.

What to do in Muelle De Las Almas

About 8 km from the main road (Route W-85), you will see a ticketing office for Muelle de las Almas. It is on the right side of the road when you arrive and you will not miss it simply because there is nothing else around it. Besides, the road signs are clear and easy to spot. Here, you will need to purchase a ticket of 1.500 CLP (1.8 USD) for each person. From here, you need to drive another 4 km (2.48 miles) to reach the parking lot of Muelle de las Almas. This is where the trail starts.

1 km (0.62 miles) into the trails, you will see a checkpoint where you need to present the ticket. Keep in mind that visitors with no tickets are not allowed to enter. For the rest of 3 km (1.86 miles) of the trails, you will be surrounded by trees, meadows, and cliffs. The hike is not so challenging, but I suggest to keep your children under supervision and to give the elderly a helping hand especially when climbing the steep parts.

Please note that there are no shops after the checkpoint, so make sure to carry water and snacks. The hike may take around one or two hours, depending on your pace. As you get closer to the main attraction, it will get steeper. But all of your efforts are worth the amazing views that await.

Right by the edge of the cape, you will see a boardwalk leading to the ocean over the cliff. Get on the boardwalk and enjoy the view of the Pacific Ocean. This is the perfect time to capture every moment with your camera. You might have to wait in line to have a couple of minutes on the boardwalk. Unfortunately, this is inevitable especially during high season. You can try to avoid the crowd by getting here as early as you can.

Beyond the boardwalk, there is a fenced open area on the age of the cliff. You can sit and relax here or have a picnic with your friends and family. If you’re traveling alone, you can explore the areas and take home some amazing photos with you!

The myth and symbolism

Like the Greek mythology we mentioned earlier, Muelle de las Almas was once believed to be the dock where souls passed and moved on to the world beyond. A boatman named Tempilcahue would pass the dock and pick up wandering souls to transport them to the afterlife.

True or not, this myth is beautifully captured by the dock. “Muelle de las Almas” is loosely translated to “Dock of the souls”. The dock’s shape and build represent its deep meaning, along with the surrounding cliffs and fogs.