Carretera Austral

Puerto Varas is the starting point for the mythic Carretera Austral, one of the world's ultimate cycling routes. This legendary road only opened in 1988, and the final 100km stretch to Villa O'Higgins wasn't completed until 2000. Riders take multiple ferries past icy rivers, enormous glaciers, impenetrable forests and isolated farms, experiencing local culture on rest days in Coyhaique and Villa O'Higgins.

From there the route crosses into Argentina and on to El Chalten via one of the most epic border crossings in the world, involving two ferries, 20km of single track and some of the most isolated border posts on the planet. The route continues south to a rest day in El Calafate for the Perito Moreno Glacier, then to Puerto Natales for a visit to Torres del Paine National Park.

At Punta Arenas, a ferry crosses the Magellan Strait to Tierra del Fuego. From there it's just four cycling stages and a final border crossing back into Argentina before riders reach their ultimate goal: Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city, perched on the tip of South America overlooking the Beagle Channel.

Highlights

• The legendary Carretera Austral from Puerto Varas
• Villa O'Higgins border crossing (ferries and single track)
• El Chalten and Los Glaciares National Park, including Perito Moreno Glacier
• Torres del Paine National Park
• Ferry crossing to Tierra del Fuego
• Arriving in Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city

Surface and terrain:
20–40% unpaved roads; a mountain, touring or gravel bike is recommended, with one set of 35–40c tyres and one set of 45–50c tyres. Remote, mountainous Patagonian terrain with multiple ferry crossings.

Suitable for:
Experienced, adventurous cyclists comfortable with long daily distances (averaging around 105km on riding days), rough/gravel roads, remote travel and camping. Expedition category, 4/5 difficulty score.