Carretera Austral - Ruta 7About Carretera Austral - Ruta 7
The Carretera Austral, officially Ruta 7, is a long highway in southern Chile that traverses remote sections of Los Lagos and Aysén regions and provides the principal land link through much of Chilean Patagonia. The road is noted for dramatic fjords, temperate rainforests, glaciers and mountain scenery.
Travel along the route offers access to national parks, hiking and ferry crossings, with large stretches that are gravel or unpaved and frequent single-lane bridges. Services are sparse in many segments and travel times are extended by ferry schedules and road conditions.
Construction began in the mid-1970s as a strategic state project to connect isolated communities, and the route was developed and improved progressively over subsequent decades. It remains a mixture of paved and unpaved sections maintained for both local traffic and tourism.
The road runs broadly south from the vicinity of Puerto Montt through the Aysén Region to its southern terminus at Villa O’Higgins deep in Chilean Patagonia.
- Length and road conditions: The full route covers roughly 1,200 to 1,300 kilometres and includes multiple ferry crossings and several unpaved sections, so transit times are long and often slow.
- Seasonality: Best travelled in the austral summer months for more stable weather and to access mountain trails, parks and boat crossings that are seasonal.
What to See#
- Northern section (Puerto Montt to Puyuhuapi): The northern terminus near Puerto Montt and the coastal stretches around Pumalín and Queulat offer fjords, temperate rainforest and ferry links that are typical of the route’s northern section.
- Aysén and Coyhaique stretch: The central Aysén segment includes the city of Coyhaique and access to national parks, glaciers and lakes that are focal points for outdoor activities.
- Southern terminus (Villa O’Higgins): The southernmost runs down to Villa O’Higgins and includes remote stretches with gravel roads, river crossings and the route terminus that links to trails into Chilean Patagonia.
Best Time to Visit Carretera Austral - Ruta 7
Best visited in the austral summer for road conditions and daylight; plan logistics carefully because services are sparse.
Weather & Climate near Carretera Austral - Ruta 7
Carretera Austral - Ruta 7's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in January) and cold winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 2°C to 20°C. Heavy rainfall (2174 mm/year), wettest in May.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | 11° - 20° | 16° | 111 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | 11° - 19° | 15° | 101 mm | - | - | 3.7 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | 9° - 18° | 13° | 123 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 6° - 14° | 10° | 192 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 11° | 6° | 294 mm | - | - | 2.5 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 3° - 8° | 4° | 276 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 2° - 7° | 3° | 274 mm | - | - | 2.4 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 4° - 10° | 4° | 228 mm | - | - | 3.0 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 5° - 12° | 7° | 174 mm | - | - | 3.1 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 6° - 15° | 11° | 121 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 131 mm | - | - | 4.0 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | 10° - 19° | 14° | 149 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
How to Get to Carretera Austral - Ruta 7
The Carretera Austral begins at Puerto Montt (approximately 1,000 km south of Santiago) and runs south to Villa O’Higgins. Many visitors fly into Puerto Montt (El Tepual Airport, PPU) and rent suitable vehicles. Public buses connect key towns (e.g., Coyhaique) while ferry services are required on several stretches-book ferries (e.g., Puerto Yungay) in advance during high season.
Tips for Visiting Carretera Austral - Ruta 7
- Drive slowly-many stretches are unpaved and narrow; high-clearance vehicles recommended for the southern sections.
- Plan fuel carefully: filling stations are sparse-carry an extra jerry can if heading south of Coyhaique.
- Book ferry crossings (e.g., Puerto Yungay-Rio Bravo) in advance during high season (Dec-Feb).
- Download offline maps; mobile reception is intermittent for long stretches.
- Allow extra days: weather, roadworks or glacial viewing will add unexpected stops.