If you want to take your time and discover unknown or little-explored places during your next trip, traveling by car might be an excellent option. And for this, there is no better destination than the Chilean Carretera Austral.
The Carretera Austral, a unique scenic route, winds its way through the Chilean Patagonia, offering visitors an unforgettable experience in one of the most spectacular natural environments in the world. This road, approximately 1,240 kilometers long, passes through pristine landscapes, snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear rivers, and imposing glaciers, connecting remote towns and communities along the way.
The Carretera Austral can be traveled from north to south or vice versa in segments:
- Puerto Montt – La Junta
- La Junta – Coyhaique
- Coyhaique – Villa O’Higgins
Carretera Austral and 8 Unmissable Tours
To explore the Chilean Patagonia along the Carretera Austral, we propose an itinerary with 8 locations and tours that cover the main attractions of this vast territory. The advantage is that all of them can be accessed by car via Route 7, and then you can continue on foot, by bike, or on boats.
Pumalín Douglas Tompkins Park
Created in 2018, this park covers a total area of 402,392 hectares, more than half of which were donated by Tompkins Conservation to the Chilean government.
Located in the first segment of the Carretera Austral, Pumalín is a must-visit in your itinerary. It is part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of the Valdivian Temperate Rainforests, declared in 2007 for its global biodiversity importance.
Queulat National Park
This park is located in the second segment of the Carretera Austral. In fact, the road passes through the park, which may explain why it is one of the most visited in Patagonia.
It features evergreen forests, rivers, and a hanging glacier, which can be admired from various viewpoints around the Témpanos Lagoon. There is an operator offering boat tours for this area.
Puyuhuapi Hot Springs
Located north of Coyhaique, these hot springs offer mineral-rich waters that spring from the earth.
Puyuhuapi also offers dreamlike trekking trails with views of the Patagonian fjords.
Baker River
The Baker River is one of the most impressive and powerful rivers in Chile, flowing into Caleta Tortel. It’s an ideal challenge for kayaking and rafting enthusiasts. The most common way to access the river is by car along the Carretera Austral from north to south, until reaching Puerto Bertrand, then taking a boat to navigate the river. Alternatively, you can access it from south to north from Villa O’Higgins, the end of the road.
General Carrera Lake and Marble Cathedrals
General Carrera Lake lies almost in the center of the Carretera Austral. It is one of the largest lakes in the world, fed by glaciers and surrounded by the Andes mountain range.
On the lake’s western shore, the water and intense Patagonian wind have eroded the limestone that once covered hidden marble layers, forming the magnificent Marble Cathedrals.
Caleta Tortel
Located in the third segment of the Carretera Austral, this cove is known for its small village connected by walkways, stairs, and cypress wood bridges.
It features a stunning and diverse geography, marked by the confluence of the Baker River, other rivers, channels, estuaries, glaciers, and narrow valleys.
Southern Ice Field Glaciers
Continuing through the last 100 kilometers of the Carretera Austral towards the south, near Villa O’Higgins, lies this vast ice field that can be explored by boat, offering excursion routes.
O'Higgins Glacier and Lake
Also known as the Ventisquero Grande, this is one of the largest and most impressive glaciers in Patagonia, spanning 3 kilometers in width and reaching a height of 80 meters. It can be viewed from the lake of the same name, thanks to boats departing from Villa O'Higgins in the summer.
Travel with MITTA and Explore the Carretera Austral in Chile
Would you like to explore the Chilean Patagonia comfortably, safely, and at your own pace? MITTA offers the Rent a Car Austral service at the Punta Arenas and Coyhaique branches.
Save time, get a quote, and book online.