Wüstenabenteuer am Atlantik

The National Park of Cabo Polonio is a diverse coastal area and its associated wandering dunes not only remind one of a desert, but they are also among the largest wandering dunes in South America. To fully immerse myself in this fascinating landscape, I embarked on a spectacular hike.

I was picked up by my guide in the early morning hours to avoid starting the hike in the hot midday sun. We parked the car in the small fishing village of Valizas and the adventure began.

First, we had to cross a small river and the local fishermen were happy to take us to the other shore. Once there, I chose the longer hiking trail (about 12 km). This trail runs along the beach and is of low difficulty. The other trail cuts through the dunes. It is much shorter, but also significantly more challenging, as the ascent is quite strenuous. My guide was open to anything and was completely accommodating to my wishes.

Enchanted by nature, the rest of the world seemed to disappear. I could not get enough of the beauty of this place and I overused my camera. I desperately wanted to capture every corner of this paradise and take it home with me. If you ignore the ocean for a moment at this magical place, you really feel like you're in the middle of a desert.

Approximately halfway through the hike, we reached the highest point. Here, the wandering dunes can reach a height of 25 m. The sun was scorching hot by now and the climb cost me a lot of energy. But as they say in Uruguay ... "Vale la pena ... it's worth it". And yes, it was worth all the effort, because I was rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view. I stayed there for a moment at the top, enjoying the moment and simply absorbing the whole scenery.

On the second part of my hike, I could already see the lighthouse of the fishing village of Cabo Polonio and headed directly towards it. To my left, the Atlantic Ocean, and to my right, the vast dune landscape. 12 km of deserted beach, just my guide and I ... and suddenly a few cows by the roadside. I could hardly believe my eyes. With each step, the lighthouse of Cabo Polonio got closer and the huts on the beach got bigger. When I reached my hiking goal, I enjoyed some paella in a beautiful lakeside restaurant, followed by a well-deserved break in the shade. After the meal, I visited the protected lighthouse. There, on a small cliff, I marveled at the colorful bustle of a colony of sea lions, and this natural spectacle brought me great pleasure.

I spent some more time in this fascinating natural paradise. The small fishing village evolved into a place for dropouts. They built simple huts on the beach and live here without electricity and running water. Among them are wealthy South Americans who deliberately escape the luxury life and enjoy the simplicity of life in harmony with nature in the company of like-minded people. And it is exactly this seclusion that adds to the special charm.

The kilometer-long beaches are among the most beautiful beaches in Uruguay. In the background, the majestic dunes rise and present a unique natural backdrop.

I left the national park in a special off-road vehicle and this adventurous ride was a successful end to my hike. We drove right along the beach and through another part of the nature reserve. I was already expected at the final stop and taken back to my hotel. It had been a day full of impressions and emotions. It was an incredible experience and an impressive nature adventure. For me, it is clear that I will come back and next time, I will be a little more fit and will take the challenging route through the dunes.