Introduction

What follows is a brief description for driving the first part of Sector 1, Stage A of the Carretera Austral.

It goes without saying that here at ExperienceChile.Org we will arrange the rent a car you will need to drive through the Patagonian forest and Andean valleys, as well as your accommodation.

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Carretera Austral North to South Sector 1

Puerto Montt (or Puerto Varas) to Coyhaique

Stage A

Start: Puerto Montt (or Puerto Varas) - End: Caleta Gonzalo (Parque Pumalin)

This stage is broken into these legs:

There are two routes in which to get to Puelche. One is from Puerto Montt and the other is from Puerto Varas. One is shorter than the other, and one is more picturesque than the other. Here, below, we explain both options.

First Leg: Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas to Puelche

Route Option 1 Puerto Montt to Puelche:

Total: 45km plus 1 Ferry of 30mins

Puerto Montt La Arena

Route Description

This sector is quite straightforward. You take the paved road, the Carretera Austral Ruta 7, south from Puerto Montt to La Arena. It is a 45 km trip bordering the coast with the sea on your right.

At the start of your journey, you will see in the distance, in front and to your left, an impressive horizon of high mountain peaks, which is basically the southern part of the Andes Mountain chain. This is where you are headed as you drive down the Carretera Austral, navigating the valleys, channels and fiords in between the mountains you are looking at.

Route Option 2 Puerto Varas (located 22km north of Puerto Montt) to Puelche

Total: 166km

Puerto Varas Ensenada Ralun Ensenada Cochomo Puelo Puelche

Route Description

If you are not already at Puerto Varas then you can drive the short 22km north from Puerto Montt and you will be there.

Out of Puerto Varas village follow the southern side of Lake Llanquihue (pronounced yan-kee-way) to Ensenada for 50km (paved road). Along this route you will see the lake on your left and the high, perfectly conically-formed, snow-capped Osorno volcano at the far end. At Ensenada you follow the signs to Ralun (33km on paved road). This route passes through native forest and is very pretty.

At Ralun you continue on the southern side of the long and narrow Estuary de Reloncavi to Cochomo (15km paved road). From Cochomo follow the route to Puelo (32km unpaved road). After Puelo it is then 36km on an unpaved road to Caleta Puelche. Total distance from Puerto Varas to Puelche is 166km, so this will take around 3hrs or so and longer if you stop of pictures and any walk abouts.

If taking option 2 you will benefit from seeing very picturesque scenery, but it will take a lot longer than option 1.

Second Leg: From Puelche to Hornopiren 55km

Puelche to Hornopiren

Total: 55km

Puelche Hornopiren

Route Description

Initially the road from Caleta Puelche is paved and then it changes to unpaved. The road distance to Hornopiren is 55km. We suggest Hornopiren as a first night after Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas to stop off and rest. The village is tiny and is set beside a small channel with forested hills behind.

Third Leg: Hornopiren to Caleta Gonzalo (Parque Pumalin)

Hornopiren to Caleta Gonzalo (Parque Pumalin)

Total: 5hrs with ferry crossings considered plus a 10km drive.

Note: Please check ferry departure times because they are subject to change without notice. Also get to the ferry ramp early because there is a limit to the number of cars allowed on the ferry.

Hornopiren (Ferry 4hrs) Leptepu (10km) Fiordo Lago (Ferry 45mins) Caleta Gonzalo

Route Description

The first part of this route is on the ferry from Hornopiren to Leptepu, which will take around 4hrs. Departures at 10:30hrs and later at 12:00hrs per day. The scenery along this navigation is of forested hill sides and inlets.

The next part is a short drive from Leptepu to Fiordo Largo, which is 10km on an unpaved road and through a forest. At Fiordo Largo you take another ferry to Caleta Gonzalo, which will take around 45mins.

Departures are at 14:45hrs, at 15:35hrs, at 16:45hrs and 17:30hrs during the high season (but check prior to departure).

Upon arrival to Caleta Gonzalo you drive up a steep, but short ramp and approximately 200mt on the right are the cabins of Pumalin where we will book you for a couple of nights. From here you can get into the millennial Alerce forest, within the Parque Nacional Pumalin, the next day.

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