Carretera Austral - Chile Travel Information

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Carretera Austral is an unpaved road along 1,100 km from the city Puerto Mont in the center of Chile to the huge ice fields of South Chile. The road ends in the village Caleta Yungay. Most tourists take the main part from the town of Chaiten to the border with Argentina in the village of Chile Chico.

Getting to Carretera Austral

There are 3 ways to get to the Carretera Austral:

• By ferry from Castro on the island of Chiloe to the town of Chaiten.
• From Argentina, through the town Futalefu, where a roadconnects to the
  Carretera at Villa Sta. Lucia.
• Starting directly from Puerto Mont by car (taking 3 ferries on the way).

Traveling Carretera Austral

Options to travel the Carretera Austral include hitchhiking (and I've seen people getting stuck for days this way), renting a car (usually in Argentina or in Pucon) or by bus.

Since the road is beautiful, the recommended way is by a rented car, but remember that the road is narrow and requires attention. There are very few buses on the road so this is a problematic option, however a feasible one.

The route

The northern part

This part starts in Puerto Mont and ends in Chaiten. The length of that part of the
road is 240 km.

This part requires several passes by ferry, therefore most of the travelers skips it.

The central part

This part starts in Chaiten and ends in Coyhaique. The length of that part of the
road is 420 km.

This is the most popular part for travelers.

This part passes through Queulat National Park, where you can visit the hanging glacier
(Ventisquero Colgante) near the town of Puyuhuapi.

If you get there without a car, stop in Puyuhuapi and get to the park by hitchhiking, walking
or if lucky, by bus.

The southern part

This part starts in Coyhaique and ends at Caleta Yungay village. The length of that part of the
road is 440 km.

This part is a dead-end, and therefore many travelers do not continue to the end of the
road, and at in the village of Chile Chico they leave the road, and cross to Argentina.

This part of the road passes through Puerto Rio Tranquillo, where you can take a boat
and visit the impressive Marble Caves (Capilla de Marmol - the Marble Chapel) near the
village.

You can also arrange for a vehicle that will take you on a tour to the mountains, the
lakes and the glaciers in the area.

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