Prevailing tailwinds push you through arid Valle Simpson before embarking on an intense climb into the mountains of Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo. Look out for huemul as you climb to the Carretera Austral's highest elevation point, before a zooming switchback descent under the reserve's jagged granite peaks.
Exit Coyhaique from the southwest via Av. Ogana. Pedal by the massive hardware store Sodimac and merge onto the Carretera Austral. Leaving the city, be prepared for moderate traffic and strong crosswinds (typically from the northwest). After ~7 km, the route turns to the southeast and prevailing northwesterlies should provide you with a strong tailwind.
Directions
 |
Coyhaique |
|
|---|---|---|
| From Coyhaique’s Plaza de Armas, exit the city to the southwest via Av. Ogana | ||
| 2 km | Merge onto Carretera Austral | |
| 7 km | Route turns southeast; high chance of tailwind! | |
| 11.5 km | Gradual climb begins (+250 m / 13.5 km) | |
| 14.5 km | Lago Frio Detour (X-667) | |
| 24 km | Downhill (-180 m / 10 km) | |
| 32.5 km | X-671 intersection (end of Lago Frio detour) | |
| 35.5 km | El Blanco (home to el Museo del Mate) | |
| 38 km | Uphill (+70 m / 2 km) | |
| 39.5 km | Turn right, to stay on Carretera Austral (stay left for 15 km to reach Aeropuerto Balmaceda) | |
| 46 km | Massive Climb (+500 m / 12 km); high wind advisory | |
| 51 km | Enter Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo; no ticket necessary for road use | |
| 59 km | Slight downhill (-200 m / 7.5 km) | |
| 60 km | Laguna Chiguay and CONAF Offices | |
| 66 km | Río Blanco Confluence and Las Horquetas Trailhead; great wild camp | |
| 66.5 km | Ascend (+365 m / 13.5 km) | |
| 80 km | Portezuelo Ibañez: the highest elevation on the Carretera Austral (@~1100 m) | |
| 81 km | Massive descent (-750 m / 15 km) | |
| 85 km | Mirador Cerro Castillo; located just before the switchback turns | |
| 87.5 km | X-66 Intersection; keep right/west to stay on Carretera Austral (take X-66 south for 30 km to reach Puerto Ingeniero Ibáñez) | |
|
|
Villa Cerro Castillo |
Camping Recommendation
Las Horquetas Trailhead
Located within Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo, at the prominent U-bend in the Carretera Austral. Go through the gate and follow the trail down to the riverside, where there is an old, broken pedestrian bridge (there is additional space for camping across the bridge). This is the trailhead for the excellent 4-5 day trek through the reserve (see Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo page for more information). Keep in mind the elevation here is ~800 meters above sea level, thus it can get quite chilly at night.
Location |
|---|
| -45.979920, -71.956850 |
Category |
|---|
| Wild |
Cost |
|---|
| Free |
Water Source |
|---|
| Río Blanco |
Highlights |
|---|
| Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo |
Alternate Routes/Detours
If you're riding on fat-tires, prefer the road less traveled, or simply up for an adventure, explore the hills and valleys surrounding Río Simpson on these detours. Be advised, reports indicate that these areas are extensively fenced, thus wild camping may be tough to locate.
Lago Frío and Pollux
For the bold. There are a couple of regional roads that weave their way through the hills north of the Carretera Austral and pass two remote lakes. The roads are entirely ripio and certain sections are steep.
| Los Lagos | Carretera Austral | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 40 km | 17 km |
| Ascent / Descent | +720 m / -610 m | +280 m / -160 m |
|
Carretera Austral |
|
|---|---|---|
| Take a left onto X-667 (@ km 15 from Coyhaique) | ||
| 1 km | Climb (+200 m / 4.5 km) | |
| 7 km | Keep straight at the fork for Lago Frío (take a right here to skip Lago Frío and cut immediately to the southern tip of Lago Pollux) | |
| 7.5 km | Short climb, then descend toward Lago Frío | |
| 8.5 km | Keep straight, tracking the southeast shore of the lake | |
| 14 km | Keep right and climb (+160 m / 2.5 km) toward Lago Pollux | |
| 16 km | As you approach Lago Pollux, keep right to stay on the southwest side. | |
| 23.5 km | Turn left onto X-667 | |
| 26 km | Keep right as X-667 descends (-320 m / 12 km) before meeting up with the Carretera Austral | |
|
Carretera Austral |
Lagos Elizalde and Paloma
Not as intense as the Lago Frío alternate, this detour follows provincial roads to the south of the Carretera Austral. From the detour, travelers can take one-way roads to Lago Elizalde and Lago Paloma.
| Valle Simpson | Carretera Austral | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 29 km | 18 km |
| Ascent / Descent | +300 m / -250 m | +250 m / -220 m |
|
Carretera Austral |
|
|---|---|---|
| Turn right (south) onto X-674 (@ km 17 from Coyhaique) | ||
| 1 km | Short, sharp incline, then before a descent (-100 m / 3.5 km) | |
| 4.5 km | Río Simpson | |
| 7.5 km | Proceed left to stay on X-674 (or turn right (west) onto X-686 for 5.5 km to Lago Elizalde) | |
| 7.6 km | Villa Frei (tiny community with no services) | |
| 16 km | Turn left to stay on X-674 (or proceed straight/right on X-696 for 8 km to Lago Paloma) | |
|
Carretera Austral |
Balmaceda
Visit the town of tiny town of Balmaceda, home to Aysén's largest airport: Aeropuerto Balmaceda, then rejoin the Carretera Austral near the entrance to Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo.
| Balmaceda | Carretera Austral | |
|---|---|---|
| Distance | 30 km | 8 km |
| Ascent / Descent | +355 m / -227 m | +150 m / -40 m |
|
Carretera Austral |
|
|---|---|---|
| Proceed straight (left) onto Ruta 245 (@ km 39.5 from Coyhaique) | ||
| 1 km | Begin a series of four short-but-steep hills | |
| 8.5 km | Downhill (-100 m / 3.5 km) | |
| 14.7 km | Río Oscuro | |
| 15.5 km | Balmaceda | |
| To exit, briefly rejoin Ruta 245 and head west (cross Río Oscuro) | ||
| 17 km | Take a left onto X-697, following signs to Puerto Ibañez. | |
| 25 km | Begin steep climb (+130 m / 4 km) | |
| 29 km | Turn left and rejoin Carretera Austral | |
|
Carretera Austral |
Tour Total
The above route information is intended to be used as a guide in conjunction with your own due diligence. Although Bicycle Patagonia is a product of extensive research, we make no representations, guarantees nor assurances as to the accuracy of the above information or the associated .gpx and .kml files. Prior to beginning the route, be sure to check local weather forecasts & road conditions. While out riding, respect Patagonia – follow all public and private land use restrictions, carry proper safety and navigational equipment, and always #leavenotrace.