Mylodon Cave Natural Monument

About

The Mylodon Cave Natural Monument is one of the can’t-miss experiences in Patagonia for budding explorers and scientists. In 1895, German explorer Hermann Eberhard discovered a large, fresh-looking piece of skin from an unidentified animal here. As it turned out, the cool, dry atmosphere of Patagonia had perfectly preserved the hide of a mylodon, also known as a giant sloth, an animal that had gone extinct some 10,000 years ago. At the mouth of the largest cave, you’re greeted by a reproduction of the giant herbivore, while an easy-to-follow path leads into its depths. A number of other paleontological finds, including the remains of saber-toothed tigers and human remains were also found here and in the smaller caves. The other main draw of the Mylodon Cave is the Devil’s Chair, which stands on the cliff above. It’s well worth hiking up to this viewpoint for a panoramic vista of the Eberhard fjord and the surrounding mountains and glaciers. We’d recommend extending your stop time to 3 hours if you’d like to visit the caves and viewpoint.