About This Route
One of the world's most beautiful gravel highways through Patagonia.
Why ride Carretera Austral (Northern Section)
Carretera Austral (Northern Section) sits in Chile, Chile, and earns its place on this guide for a simple reason: it gives riders something most roads can't — scenery that genuinely makes you stop the bike, with a rhythm that suits a relaxed touring pace.
Across roughly 560 kilometres of mixed, you'll get a real feel for what riding in this corner of Chile is about. It's not the longest route in the region and it isn't trying to be — it's a focused, high-quality stretch that rewards riders who take their time.
What the riding actually feels like
On a advanced-rated road like this one, treat this as a road for experienced riders. Tight hairpins, exposure, mixed surfaces and unpredictable traffic mean it punishes complacency. If you're newer to mountain riding, ride it slowly the first time, take breaks, and don't chase anyone.
Read the road first, then commit. The combination of surface, sightlines and traffic on this route rewards a smooth, relaxed pace far more than aggressive corner entries. The route's twistiness rating of 3/5 and scenic rating of 5/5 give a fair indication of where to focus: more on letting the landscape unfold than on chasing apex after apex.
Best time of year to ride
The honest window is December–February. In practical terms, this route is one of the rare routes that holds up in winter — just watch for cold tarmac in shaded corners and shorter daylight. If you only have a narrow weather window, aim for a weekday rather than a weekend — you'll share the road with far fewer cars and tour buses, and the popular pull-offs won't be jammed.
Fuel, food and stops
Reliable fuel options along or near the route include Chaiten, La Junta. Top up before any long climb — pumps in mountain villages can be closed at lunch or on Sundays.
For food and coffee, Small towns along route are solid stops. Aim for a proper sit-down lunch rather than a vending-machine snack — the locals eat well in this region.
⚠️ Safety and hazards to watch for
Specific hazards on this route include: Gravel; River crossings; Isolation.
- Remote areas
- Weather changes rapidly
- Long unpaved gravel (ripio) stretches, mandatory ferry crossings that must be booked ahead in summer (notably the Hornopirén–Caleta Gonzalo sailing), fierce Patagonian wind and sparse fuel — carry a reserve and check current conditions.
Who this route suits
Carretera Austral (Northern Section) works especially well for photographers and slow-tour riders chasing scenery, experienced riders confident on technical terrain, adventure bike riders who don't mind the occasional rough patch. Recommended bike types are Adventure, Dual-Sport, but realistically anything in good mechanical condition with decent tyres will do the job — the road matters more than the badge on the tank.
Insider tips
- Multi-day expedition
- Carry all supplies
- Ferry crossings needed