The Chilean government just announced the creation of the Route of Parks, a 1,700-mile hiking trail that runs through Patagonia to Cape Horn. The entire route connects 17 national parks and winds through lakes, volcanoes, rainforests and the Andes Mountains.

It will be one of the world’s longest hiking trails. And thanks to the efforts of the founder of The North Face and his wife (former CEO of Patagonia), it became a reality for all adventurers to enjoy this week.

Douglas and Kristine Thompson bought millions of acres of land in Chile and Argentina in the ’90s with the intention to preserve large expanses of the South American countryside. But after Douglas passed away in 2015 in a kayaking accident, Kristine donated much of their land to the Chilean government to be open to the public for ecotourism.

Photos courtesy Chilean Government