The Carretera Austral, also known as Route 7, winds its way through the vast and enigmatic landscapes of southern Chile. This largely unpaved road stretches over 1,200 kilometers from Puerto Montt in the north to Villa O’Higgins in the south, offering adventurers a path through some of Patagonia’s most breathtaking scenery. From pristine rivers and colossal glaciers to dense forests and quaint villages, here are the top 10 must-visit sites along this iconic road.
### 1. Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
Named after its founder, an environmental conservationist, this park is a verdant paradise covering over 400,000 hectares. It is renowned for its ancient Valdivian rainforests, thermal hot springs, and dramatic waterfalls. Hiking trails range from short walks to challenging treks.
### 2. Queulat National Park
Famous for the Ventisquero Colgante or Hanging Glacier which dramatically spills over a cliff into a lagoon below. The park features several trails that offer different perspectives on this spectacle while traversing lush forests and rivers.
### 3. Coyhaique
The capital of Aysén Region serves as a central hub on the Carretera Austral. Surrounded by majestic mountains and rivers ideal for fly fishing, Coyhaique is also home to craft breweries and cozy restaurants that invite travelers to relax before their next outdoor adventure.
### 4. Cerro Castillo
A few hours south of Coyhaique lies Cerro Castillo National Park where the jagged spires of Mount Castillo dominate the skyline. It offers one of Chile’s most stunning trekking circuits which can be completed in four days around deep blue lakes framed by rock towers.
### 5. Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol)
Located on Lake General Carrera — shared with Argentina where it’s known as Lake Buenos Aires — these wave-sculpted blue caverns are accessible only by boat from Puerto Río Tranquilo. Their otherworldly beauty makes them a highlight for any visitor.
### 6. Baker River
Chile’s most voluminous river is famous for its vibrant turquoise waters which are popular among whitewater rafters and kayakers alike. The confluence with the Nef River offers one of Patagonia’s most photographed vistas — an impressive swirl of colors.
### 7. Caleta Tortel
This unique coastal village consists almost entirely of wooden walkways built over a steep hillside overlooking an intricate web of sea channels. Houses perched above stilts add to Tortel’s charm while offering delightful views and artisan crafts shops.
### 8. San Rafael Glacier
One can venture off from Puerto Río Tranquilo towards this enormous glacier part of Laguna San Rafael National Park by boat or kayak in one day or multi-day expeditions offering close encounters with calving ice giants amidst stunning fjords.
### 9 Villa O’Higgins
The end-of-the-line town before reaching Southern Patagonian Ice Field presents opportunities like no other — embark on hikes through glaciated landscapes or bike towards remote border crossings into Argentina near Mount Fitz Roy’s towering peaks.
###10 Futaleufú
Not directly on the Carretera but worth the detour for adrenaline seekers who yearn to tackle some world-class whitewater rapids or enjoy more serene activities such as fly-fishing in crystal-clear rivers surrounded by lush greenery.
Traveling along Carretera Austral demands adventurous spirit and readiness to encounter nature at its rawest form — weather can be unpredictable and facilities sparse in places – yet every moment spent discovering these wild terrains promises memories that last a lifetime.