Charles Fuhr: River History and Kayaking on the Río Santa Cruz

Charles Fuhr connects the history of the Río Santa Cruz with its former role as a river crossing and with kayaking excursions on the river. A group of 25 people from the Beagle expedition traveled upstream along the Río Santa Cruz to Charles Fuhr. Due to a lack of supplies, they had to abandon their journey there. If you are planning a trip to Charles Fuhr, you can distinguish this historical significance from the kayaking excursions and other destinations in the Lago Argentino Department.

River Crossing and Former Services

Before the bridge was built, Charles Fuhr had ferries for crossing the river and a hotel for travelers. A historical account also mentions a store, accommodation, and a ferry service on the south bank of the Río Santa Cruz. Together, these references tell of a time when crossing the river was connected with staying and finding provisions in the area.

An account of the 13th edition of “Del Atlántico a Los Andes” names the place as the endpoint before reaching Lago Argentino. The account also refers to an earlier edition that ended there as well. The history of the river journey thus adds another connection to the Río Santa Cruz alongside the story of ferries and travelers.

Kayaking and Getting to the River

The offering from Darwin Experience Kayak describes a 4×4 transfer from El Calafate to Paraje Charles Fuhr and gives the distance from El Calafate as 40 km. Check the provider’s current transfer information before making plans, as transport arrangements may change.

A January 2025 report about a guided kayaking excursion describes the kayaks being launched beneath the Charles Fuhr bridge on the Río Santa Cruz. The guides gave instructions on putting on dry suits, life jackets, and boots, and led paddling exercises. The report also conveys what preparation for paddling at the bridge involved. If this excursion is important to your trip, check its availability for your dates in advance.

More Travel Options in the Lago Argentino Department

In the wider destination of the Lago Argentino Department, Los Glaciares National Park covers 726,927 hectares; it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Its glacier and mountain destinations are quite different from Charles Fuhr’s river history and offer further options to consider when planning a stay.

At Moreno Glacier, the network of boardwalks and viewpoints is more than 4.5 km long and extends to the glacier front. Trekking with crampons and specialized guides is also offered on the ice of Perito Moreno Glacier. The department therefore offers both a route with viewpoints and a guided activity on the ice, providing different types of excursions.

Hikes in the El Chaltén area also vary in distance and time required: the hike from Chaltén to Laguna de los Tres is 25 km long and takes 8 to 9 hours. The trail from El Chaltén to Laguna Torre via Cerro Torre covers 18 km round trip; from the viewpoint at Laguna Torre, you can see Cerro Solo, Cordón Adela, and the Cerro Torre massif. For a shorter outing, Chorrillo del Salto is a half-day trip to a waterfall 6 km from El Chaltén, which can also be reached on foot.

When looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide what the focus of your trip will be: would you like to focus on the history of the Río Santa Cruz and the kayaking excursion at Charles Fuhr, or are you mainly planning time for the glacier and hiking destinations in the Lago Argentino Department? The routes and types of excursions mentioned give you concrete differences in duration and activity to help you decide.

Discover more destinations: Colonia Francisco Perito Moreno, Los Antiguos, Lago San Martín, El Chalten, Lago Viedma, El Calafate.

Return to the main travel overview: Lago Argentino Department.