Carretera Austral

One of the world's most spectacular and remote highway routes, stretching through Aysén's pristine wilderness with countless access points to nature. Driving or biking this legendary road offers encounters with untouched forests, turquoise rivers, fjords, and roadside adventure opportunities.

Things to do

• Marble Caves of General Carrera Lake — Paddle or boat through stunning turquoise waters to explore the carved marble caverns and formations along the Chilean Patagonian shoreline.
• Hiking to Laguna San Rafael — Trek through temperate rainforest to witness the dramatic San Rafael glacier cascading directly into a milky turquoise lagoon.
• Puyuhuapi Hot Springs — Soak in natural thermal pools nestled in remote forest near the Puyuhuapi Lodge, accessible via short trail from the highway.
• Fishing for Patagonian trout — Cast lines in pristine rivers and lakes throughout the region for wild brown and rainbow trout in world-class fly-fishing conditions.
• Villa Santa Lucía suspension bridge crossing — Navigate the famous narrow cable-stayed bridge suspended 520 feet above the Río Puyuhuapi, an iconic Carretera Austral challenge.
• Cycling unpaved sections — Mountain bike the remote gravel portions of the route through pristine backcountry, encountering only occasional vehicles and abundant wildlife.
• Wildlife viewing near Cerro Castillo — Spot guanacos, pumas, and Andean condors in the dramatic mountain landscapes near this small estancia settlement.

Food to try

• Centolla (King Crab) — Fresh local king crab, typically grilled or prepared in a rich sauce, is a prized delicacy in Aysén's coastal towns along the route.
• Charqui de guanaco — Dried guanaco meat prepared traditionally by locals, offering a lean, protein-rich taste of Patagonian estancia culture.
• Curanto en olla — A hearty seafood and meat stew cooked in a clay pot, combining mussels, clams, fish, and potatoes in a traditional Patagonian preparation.
• Salmón ahumado (Smoked salmon) — Cold-smoked salmon from Aysén's rivers and farms, available fresh at roadside lodges and small restaurants throughout the region.
• Pan casero con mermelada de calafate — Homemade bread served with local calafate berry jam, a traditional complement to Patagonian afternoon tea culture found at estancias and cafés.

Local customs & good to know

• Gravel road etiquette — Pull to the side when passing oncoming vehicles on unpaved sections to minimize dust; locals appreciate consideration given the shared remote highway conditions.
• Estancia hospitality tradition — Many working ranches offer stays and meals; arriving guests are welcomed with hearty food and stories of frontier life, a practice rooted in Patagonian generosity toward travelers.
• Fuel up opportunistically — Gas stations are extremely sparse and unpredictable; fill your tank whenever possible and carry extra fuel canisters for remote sections.
• Respect for wilderness preservation — Leave no trace and avoid straying from marked paths, as Aysén's ecosystems are fragile; locals take environmental stewardship seriously and expect visitors to do the same.

Nearby

• Villa Santa Lucia — 76 km
• Queulat National Park — 96 km
• Estero Elefantes — 104 km
• Puyuhuapi — 107 km