To get to Balmaceda, you can fly directly into Balmaceda Airport (BBA) from major cities like Santiago and Puerto Montt. Balmaceda is about 55 kilometers of Coyhaique.

Flights: Several airlines, including LATAM and Sky Airline, offer direct flights to Balmaceda from Santiago and other major cities.T

Leaving Coyhaique, you’ll quickly find yourself in the countryside again. The first 30 kilometers are fairly gentle, passing through open farmland, sheep pastures, and small estancias. The road is paved, and traffic gradually fades as you move further from the city.

YOU MAY THINK THIS SECTION IS TOO SHORT..But make no mistake — You will soon reach one of the longest climbs of the Carretera Austral.

The day begins quietly as you leave El Blanco, but don’t be fooled — within a few kilometers, the climb begins. The Cuesta del Diablo is a 764-meter ascent over roughly 10 kilometers.

After a brief descent into the Río Simpson valley, you begin the ascent to the portezuelo Ibáñez. It’s about 18 kilometers of climbing, not too steep, but relentless. The scenery helps: glacier-fed rivers, lenga forests, and dramatic ridgelines line the way up.

At the top, take a break and enjoy the view — you’ve earned it. The descent from the pass is pure joy: sweeping curves, fresh mountain air, and snowcapped peaks all around. This is one of the best downhill sections of the entire route.

The gradient varies, but it’s steady, exposed, and relentless.

There’s little shade, and if the sun is out, it can be intense. But as you gain altitude, the landscape opens up into sweeping mountain views and wide glacial valleys. Take your time, breathe deeply, and stop when you need to. It’s not a race — it’s a pilgrimage into the Andes.

At the top, take a break. The sense of accomplishment is real, and the reward is even greater: a long, winding descent through one of the most spectacular stretches of the Carretera Austral.

The final kilometers into Villa Cerro Castillo are pure magic. The road curves through meadows, crosses turquoise streams, and eventually reveals the jagged spires of the Torres de Cerro Castillo — towering black rock peaks that dominate the skyline.

Today you’ll descend from the mountains to one of the most beautiful bodies of water in all of South America: Lago General Carrera. It’s a 73-kilometer ride from Cerro Castillo to Puerto Río Tranquilo, a long but stunning journey through open valleys, wild rivers, and glacier-fed lakes.

Leaving Cerro Castillo, the day starts gently, rolling through grasslands and lenga forests, with the jagged towers of the mountain behind you. You’ll soon begin descending — and the views are breathtaking. Glaciers hang from peaks, waterfalls cut through cliffs, and in the distance, the turquoise shimmer of the lake appears.

Expect occasional rough patches and some steep switchbacks as you lose altitude. Watch your speed and enjoy the scenery — it’s worth stopping often.

Midway through the ride, you’ll pass the Murta River, one of many glacial streams feeding into Lago General Carrera. This area is rich with birdlife, and if the wind is calm, you’ll hear nothing but water and the sound of your tires.

You’ve arrived in Puerto Río Tranquilo, one of the most scenic and unforgettable stops along the entire route. No kilometers to cover on your bike today, but there’s plenty to discover.

First, the star of the show: the Catedral de Mármol, or Marble Caves.

These surreal rock formations rise directly from the turquoise waters of Lago General Carrera. Sculpted over thousands of years by waves and wind, the caves glow in swirling patterns of blue and white — and the best way to see them is by kayak or small boat.

Sunlight reflects off the water and dances along the stone, creating a dreamlike, otherworldly experience. Early morning is best, when the light is soft and the water calm. It’s not just beautiful — it’s peaceful, meditative, and completely unique.

If you’re looking for a different kind of adventure, head inland toward the Glaciar Exploradores.

A journey of about 57 kilometers, filled with dramatic lake views, hidden valleys, and the powerful presence of the Río Baker.

Leaving Puerto Río Tranquilo, the road quickly returns to gravel. You’ll ride along the southern edge of Lago General Carrera, the largest lake entirely in Chile, with its signature deep turquoise color on full display. The road rolls gently at first, with some short climbs and descents hugging the cliffs and hillsides.

About halfway through the ride, you’ll pass close to Bahía Murta, a tiny settlement nestled on the lake’s edge. It’s a good place to rest, grab a snack, or chat with locals if you’re in no rush. From here, the landscape becomes even wilder.

You’ll continue along the lake before the road turns slightly inland, following a chain of valleys and glacial streams. Eventually, you’ll arrive at the northern tip of Lago Bertrand, where the lake empties into the Río Baker — Chile’s most powerful river.

Today’s stage follows one of Patagonia’s most legendary rivers — the Río Baker — from Puerto Bertrand to the remote and welcoming town of Cochrane. It’s a 57-kilometer ride through wild valleys, lenga forests, and turquoise waters, where nature is still untouched and roads feel like they belong to you alone.

You’ll begin the day by rolling out of Puerto Bertrand and immediately following the flow of the Baker. The road is gravel from start to finish, with a mix of rolling terrain and short climbs — nothing extreme, but the surface can be rough and slow at times.

What makes this day unforgettable isn’t the road — it’s the landscape. The Río Baker, Chile’s most powerful river, will be at your side most of the way. Its glacial waters glow in a brilliant turquoise hue that seems almost unreal. You’ll pass cliffs, canyons, and calm sections perfect for a pause and a snack.

Around kilometer 35, you’ll reach the Confluencia Baker–Neff, where the milky waters of the Río Neff mix dramatically with the clear blue of the Baker. It’s a powerful and beautiful spot to stop, breathe, and feel the force of Patagonia.

Today we leave behind the last major town on the route — Cochrane — and ride into the true wilderness of southern Patagonia. The destination: a remote riverside area known as Los Ñadis, about 60 kilometers south, perfect for a night of camping under the stars.

Leaving Cochrane, the road turns to gravel almost immediately. There are no towns, no gas stations, and no cell signal ahead — only forest, rivers, and the open sky. This is where the Carretera Austral begins to feel wild and untamed.

The terrain is rolling, with small climbs and descents, crossing through dense lenga forests and over crystal-clear creeks. The road surface varies — from smooth compact gravel to rough, rocky patches — so take your time and enjoy the solitude.

This part of the route follows the Río Baker for a while, and you’ll be surrounded by massive, untouched landscapes. Waterfalls fall from cliffsides, eagles glide overhead, and the only sounds are wind, water, and your tires crunching gravel.

Today, you ride even further into Patagonia’s wild heart — from your campsite near Los Ñadis, along the southern reaches of the Carretera Austral, until you reach the junction with Ruta X-904, the road that leads to Caleta Tortel. It’s a 60-kilometer ride through silence, solitude, and raw nature.

From the very start, you’re alone with the landscape. The road is 100% gravel, winding through narrow valleys, old-growth forests, and steep river canyons. There are no towns, no stores, no signs — just the occasional wooden bridge, the call of birds, and the distant echo of the wind through the lenga trees.

As you ride south, the terrain becomes increasingly varied. Expect short but steep climbs, sections of rough road, and the occasional muddy stretch — especially after rain. Some descents are rocky and technical, so stay alert and take breaks when needed.

But with the difficulty comes beauty. The region is shaped by glacial erosion, carved into jagged ridges and deep valleys.

Today marks a special transition — from gravel road to wooden walkways, from the forests of Patagonia to the edge of the Pacific fjords. You’re riding the final 22 kilometers of the ruta X-904, all the way to Caleta Tortel, one of the most unique and magical villages in all of Chile.

The road starts as a narrow gravel track, winding through lush forest and following the curves of deep river valleys. There are no shops, no traffic lights — just the sound of your tires on ripio, the rustle of the trees, and the anticipation of the sea.

The terrain is undulating but manageable, with a few short climbs and descents. About halfway through, the road begins to descend toward the coast, revealing dramatic views of the Baker River delta opening into the fjords. The air changes — you’ll smell salt and feel the cool breeze of the ocean.

And then, suddenly, you arrive.

Caleta Tortel appears like a dream — built entirely on wooden walkways, with no cars, no streets, and no concrete. Every building is connected by raised cypress-plank boardwalks that curve and climb through the cliffs and along the water’s edge.