The Carretera Austral, An Adventure In Chile

The Carretera Austral is one of those mythical roads in South America. It is listed as one of the most beautiful and exotic routes on the continent. It is a relatively isolated route, but that is precisely what gives it a particular charm. Touring it is an adventure through endless landscapes and unparalleled natural diversity.

The Carretera Austral has a length of 1,200 kilometers. It is called a highway, but there are several of its sections that are not yet paved. These gravel roads, however, are in good condition and offer no greater difficulty for the journey.

This emblematic road begins in Puerto Montt and ends in Villa O’Higgins. It is also known as Southern Highway or Route 7. It was built to access the most remote places in southern Chile.

Travel the Carretera Austral

The Carretera Austral can be traveled by car and by bus . In both cases you will have to do some sections by ferry . If you rent a car, it is best that this is an off-road vehicle, although experts on the subject say that any vehicle can travel through it.

Of course, before starting the journey you must choose very well which are the attractions you want to visit. Going to all of them would involve a trip of more than three months.

If you go in a group, it is a good idea to rent a car. The price is high and distributed is much better. If you go alone or with a companion, the best option is to take public transport. On the other hand, if you go by car you should be aware that the gravel sections require you to have enough driving skills.

Normally, the tour is done by taking a boat from Puerto Montt to Puerto Chacabuco. From there you go to the beautiful town of Coyhaique. The same route can be done by taking three ferries and completing it with a car or bus.

From that moment on, everything leads south. Each one chooses how far and where they want to go.

That you can see? 

There are many places to see along the Carretera Austral. However, some sites stand out because they bring together several attractions at the same point, or because they have something that makes them very special.

The first of them is a small town called La Junta. Several rivers meet there and it is an excellent starting point to go to Lake Rosselot or the Queulat National Park.

Precisely, the Queulat National Park is another of those striking places. There you visit a well-known waterfall, the Hanging Snowdrift. You can also tour the Enchanted Forest, which is a dream place.

Chaitén is one of those wonderful places that is worth visiting. Nor should you miss the opportunity to visit Puerto Gaviota, a true natural paradise.

There is more. The Marble Cathedral is another of those emblematic places that can be reached from the Carretera Austral. It is accessed by boat and it is a place that seems to be taken from a story. They are millenary formations of different shades on the General Carrera Lake, which make you feel like you are on another planet.

What other attractions can be visited?

In the southernmost part of the route there are also some places that amaze. The first of them is Cochrane, a town that seems flooded with green areas, with a large population of lengas and multiple waterfalls.

Not far from there is the famous Caleta de Tortel, better known as “the Chilean Venice”. It is a completely different population from everything else, as it is built on wooden planks.

And, for lovers of mystery, nothing better than going to the Island of the Dead. It is located on the banks of the Baker River. 33 strange crosses are erected there, corresponding to tombs for which there is no further information. They are supposed to be those of some workers from a former exploration company in the area.

Those who travel along the Carretera Austral will at some point come across Balmaceda, Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén. Those sites are the heart of the route. The journey between these places, or between them and Puerto Chacabuco, is absolutely amazing.

It is a stretch of road full of especially beautiful places that defy the imagination. In addition, this is the area with the greatest amount of tourist services.