The Carretera Austral in Chile is one of the most spectacular routes in Patagonia. This 1,200 km road takes you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the region. I have traveled the full length of the Carretera Austral three times already. In this guide, I’ve compiled the 10 best places to visit along the Carretera Austral based on my travel experience during my time in Chile.
The Road number 7 runs from the city of Puerto Montt for nearly 1,500 kilometers down to the town of Villa O'Higgins and remains one of the last true adventures in Chile. Gravel roads and ferry crossings require time and good planning. Tourism here is far less developed than in other parts of Patagonia.
The remoteness is part of the charm traveling this road. While backpacking in Chile, I noticed that this region sees relatively few travelers from Europe and North America. The locals were incredibly welcoming, and most of these Chile attractions were uncrowded. A stark contrast to other sights in Chile such as the Torres del Paine national park.
1) Pumalín National Park
If you’re traveling the Carretera Austral from north to south, the journey starts with a highlight right away. To get from Puerto Montt to the town of Chaitén, you have to take three different ferries. This route takes you through Patagonia’s fjord landscapes and temperate rainforests within the Pumalín Park.
Pumalín National Park lies north of Chaitén and was one of the first conservation projects established by American entrepreneur Douglas Tompkins (founder of “The North Face”), who purchased large areas of land in this region to protect them.
The national park offers a variety of short and long hiking trails. I recommend the route up to the Chaitén Volcano. The trailhead is located right along the Carretera Austral, about 20 km north of Chaitén right next to the road.
Where to Stay:
Here are my recommendations for a comfortable and authentic stay in Chaitén, near the Pumalin park:
| Budget | Rating | Reasons to stay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenchita Homestay | $$ | 8.8 | simple private rooms, breakfast included, lovely hosts |
| Paraiso Patagonico | $$ | 8.6 | great hosts, nice breakfast, very clean |
| Chucao Bosque y Cabanas | $$ | 8.9 | Chalet's in the forrest in the outskirts of Chaiten, helpful staff |
| Tranqueras del Monte | $$$ | 8.1 | comfortable accommodation with great breakfast and a lot of space, perfect for families and small groups |
2) Queulat National Park
The bay of Puerto Puyuhuapi is a fantastic spot to take a break for two or three days after being on the road for quite a while. Just a short drive down the road, you’ll find the Queulat National Park, home to a famous hanging glacier.
Inside the park, you can hike a 6 km trail leading to a viewpoint with the best panoramic view of the glacier. Try to start the hike early in the morning to avoid the crowds. Another way to get closer to the glacier is by boat on the lake the glacier has created.
Where to Stay:
Many accommodations in Puerto Puyuhuapi can now be booked online in advance:
| Budget | Rating | Reasons to stay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostal Robinson | $ | 8.7 | simple but cozy private rooms, lovely hosts |
| Hostal Scarlett | $ | 8.3 | great value for money, helpful staff |
| Los Mañíos Del Queulat | $$ | 8.6 | cozy, delicious breakfast and good in-house restaurant |
| Eco Cabañas Wanderlust | $$ | 8.8 | beautiful bungalows just outside of Puyuhuapi |
| Cabanas Senderos Puyuhuapi | $$$ | 9.5 | spacious bungalows with great breakfast - ideal for families and groups |
3) Río Futaleufú
I’ve already raved about this river in my Patagonia highlights article. While Futaleufú isn’t directly on the Carretera Austral road, taking a detour here is absolutely worth it. The river is considered one of the best in the world for white-water rafting, and the surrounding landscape looks like a painting, especially in March and April. I spent three days here in April just for rafting.
The tunroff road to Futaleufú is located between Chaitén and Puerto Puyuhuapi in the village of Villa Santa Lucía. There are regular bus connections from Chaitén and Villa Santa Lucía.
Where to Stay:
Here are my recommended accommodations:
| Budget | Rating | Reasons to stay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostería Futaleufu | $ | 9.1 | location, atmosphere |
| Hostal Las Natalias | $$ | 8.8 | beautiful surrounding, friendly staff |
| Hotel El Barranco | $$$ | 9.3 | breakfast, upscale hotel with pool |
4) Cerro Castillo
For hiking enthusiasts, the multi-day trek in Cerro Castillo National Park, located south of Coyhaique, is considered a true hidden gem in Patagonia. Some even compare the multi-day trek to Torres del Paine, and I completely agree. On my latest trip, the Cerro Castillo hike was one of my top highlights in Chile. The view of the castle-like mountain peak (hence the name) with its glacier and the stunning glacial lake in front of it is absolutely unique. Equally breathtaking is the view of the Ibáñez River Valley during the ascent and descent.
The trailhead for the trek is at “Horquetas Grandes”, between Coyhaique and Villa Cerro Castillo. Plan at least four days for this hike, and make sure you're fully equipped, as there are only wild campsites in the Cerro Castillo park available. Because of the airport near Coyhaique you can access this Carretera Austral highlight much easier than the ones further south.
5) Marble Caves
Your next stop on the Carretera Austral should be Puerto Río Tranquilo, a small town situated on the shores of South America's second-largest lake. This spot is famous for the Marble Caves, a stunning rock formation carved by water over thousands of years. The caves extend beneath marble monoliths, creating an impressive spectacle that can be explored by boat or kayak.
Aside from the caves, Lago General Carrera lake itself is a sight to behold, with its deep blue waters contrasting against the surrounding mountains. Puerto Río Tranquilo also serves as a base for glacier excursions, which I’ll cover in the next section.
Accommodation:
As with many places along the Carretera Austral route, you can find private guesthouses here. Some of them are located right at the shore of the lake. Due to high demand in summer, I highly recommend booking in advance.
| Budget | Rating | Reasons to stay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los alamos | $ | 8.2 | value for money, central location |
| APART HOME COSTANERA | $$ | 8.9 | hospitality, central location |
| Apart Hotel y Cabañas Valle Exploradores | $$$ | 7.4 | central location |
| Chelenko Lodge | $$$ | 8.4 | incredible remote location by the lake |
6) Exploradores Glacier
The second must-do activity in Puerto Río Tranquilo is the glacier trek on Exploradores Glacier, located in Laguna San Rafael National Park. This full-day tour offers the rare opportunity to hike directly on the ice, exploring deep crevasses and ice caves.
Compared to other glacier treks in Patagonia, this is one of the most affordable options. The full package, including transport, guide, equipment, and food, costs significantly less than similar tours at Perito Moreno in Argentina.
If you're up for an adventure that goes beyond just seeing a glacier from a viewpoint, this tour is well worth it.
7) Parque Patagonia
The largest town in the southern part of the Carretera Austral is Cochrane. South of the lake Lago General Carrera, the road winds through breathtaking landscapes as the turquoise Río Baker cuts through the valley. The Río Baker is Chile’s most powerful river and a prime location for rafting.
A lesser-known but spectacular highlight is one of Patagonia’s newest national parks, Parque Patagonia. Located northeast of Cochrane featuring the mountain Cerro Tamango, this protected area offers a variety of day hikes and multi-day treks with stunning scenery and rich wildlife. I myself did a few treks here and hiked alongside the Cochrane lake and up to the secondary peak of the Tamango mountain. Incredible!
Where to Stay:
| Budget | Rating | Reasons to stay | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hostal Lejana Patagonia (my choice) | $ | 8.0 | best value for price, good breakfast, basic rooms in very central location |
| Cabañas Rincon del Sur | $$$ | 9.4 | spacious but cozy bungalow located on a hill overlooking Cochrane |
| Kalfu Patagonia | $$$$ | 9.5 | modern apartments, good location, solid breakfast, great atmosphere |
| Hotel Último Paraíso | $$$$ | 9.6 | friendly staff, cozy, good breakfast |
8) Caleta Tortel
Due to its remote location, Tortel was difficult to access for a long time. However, with the new ferry connection from Puerto Natales, I finally had the chance to visit this one-of-a-kind place on my most recent journey. On this trip, I traveled the Carretera Austral once again from south to north.
Set at the end of a fjord, Tortel’s network of wooden walkways and stilts instead of roads makes it truly unique. This charming town is a real highlight in southern Chile, but keep in mind that if you’re coming from Puerto Montt, the drive to this end of the road will take several days.
9) Villa O'Higgins
Reaching the end of the legendary Ruta 7 has a special feeling. Villa O'Higgins is surrounded by glaciers, mountains, and waterways, making it a paradise for hikers and mountaineers in southern Patagonia. It's worth staying in town for a few days to explore the lesser-known trails and remote expeditions.
There are now marked hiking routes and local maps available. As a base, I recommend staying at Hostel El Mosco. Fili, the owner, is incredibly knowledgeable about the area around Villa O'Higgins and can help you plan your adventures.
The final official kilometers of the Carretera Austral lead to the ferry dock, where you'll find a sign reading “Fin del Camino” (= End of the Road).
10) O'Higgins Glacier
As you've seen, the Carretera Austral is home to countless glaciers, but this one is particularly special. The O'Higgins Glacier feeds into the turquoise-colored O'Higgins Lake and is one of the most difficult to reach. During the summer months, a boat departs from Villa O'Higgins every 2–3 days, providing access to this stunning natural wonder.
The same boat also allows for a trek to El Chaltén via the remote Candelario Mansilla farm. This journey takes 2–3 days in total and is one of the most adventurous ways to cross from Chile to Argentina. I've completed this route twice—once heading north from El Chaltén and once traveling south from Villa O'Higgins. If you're up for an epic overland crossing, this is one of the most scenic ways to do it.
Before You Go
Since tourism along the Carretera Austral is still relatively undeveloped, you’ll often stay in private accommodations and rely on local transportation. Because of this, knowing some Spanish can be a huge help, as much of the trip requires on-the-spot organization. If you don’t speak Spanish yet, I recommend learning the basics with an online course like Babbel. The app is great for picking up essential travel phrases quickly.
It’s also essential to carry enough cash, as ATMs are only available in a few towns. While some accommodations accept credit cards, many smaller places do not. I recommend withdrawing cash in Puerto Montt or Coyhaique to avoid running out of funds in remote areas.
A good map of the Carretera Austral is available for free at the tourist information center in Puerto Montt. If you don’t have time to do the entire route, Coyhaique is a great midpoint for starting or ending your trip. South of Coyhaique, there’s an airport with regular flights to Santiago and other destinations in Chile.
Lastly, I highly recommend getting travel insurance before heading to this remote region. If you need medical care or unexpected trip changes, it’s better to be covered. I personally use World Nomads for my trips, as they offer flexible plans tailored for adventure travelers.
Video
To give you an even better idea of what to expect along the Carretera Austral, I filmed my entire journey through Patagonia. The video captures the breathtaking landscapes, unique places, and off-the-beaten-path adventures along the route from Puerto Montt all the way down to Villa O'Higgins plus many more destinations in Patagonia:
More places to visit along the Carretera Austral in Chile?
Have you traveled along the Carretera Austral from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins yourself and discovered places that should be on this list? I’d love to hear your recommendations for the Carretera Austral. Feel free to share your experiences and tips in the comments!
Note: This travel guide featuring Places to visit along the Carretera Austral road contains affiliate links. These are only for services I personally use and trust. If you book through these links, you can support my blog at no extra cost to you. As always, all opinions, recommendations, and occasional sarcastic remarks are my own.
