HOW TO RIDE THE
CARRETERA AUSTRAL BY MOTORCYCLE?
THE DEFINITIVE GUIDE TO RIDE CHILE'S ROUTE 7. GRAVEL, GLACIERS AND ANCIENT FORESTS.
HOW TO RIDE THE CARRETERA AUSTRAL WITHOUT ENDING UP IN A RAVINE?
The Carretera Austral isn't just another route. It's Chile's Route 7 — 770 miles of gravel, ancient forest, glaciers and fjords that make Patagonia one of the most demanding and spectacular motorcycle destinations on the planet. The problem is that improvising here is costly: ferries have limited slots, fuel can run out for days, and the weather can shift from blazing sun to downpour in half an hour. This guide exists so you arrive prepared.
HERE'S WHAT'S WAITING FOR YOU
Ventisquero Colgante
In Queulat National Park. A hanging glacier that pours waterfalls into the void over the fjord. A spectacle you won't forget.
Marble Cathedrals
Sail across General Carrera Lake to see these mineral formations sculpted by turquoise water over millennia. One of Chile's most iconic images.
Caleta Tortel
The town of cypress walkways. No streets — only stairs and bridges over the fjord. One of the most unique places on the continent.
Puyuhuapi
Natural hot springs facing the sea and the air of a German colony lost in the cold rainforest. The mandatory rest stop.
Exploradores Glacier
A walk on ancient ice at the foot of the Northern Ice Field. An experience that shifts your perspective on what nature really means.
Villa O'Higgins
The end of the road. Where the map stops and only the crossing to the Southern Ice Fields remains. The epic finish line that makes every pothole worth it.
OSORNO VOLCANO MARKING THE START. FROM HERE, THE ROAD COMMANDS AND GRAVEL IS THE LANGUAGE.
WHAT NO ONE TELLS YOU
Riding the Carretera Austral is a trip that changes you. But the logistics have critical points that can ruin your journey if you don't control them from the start.
- 01Ferries don't wait — and in high season they sell out
Crossing Comau Fjord or the Yungay channel requires advance booking. In January and February, slots run out weeks ahead. Arrive without a reservation and you lose a day or more.
- 02The washboard gravel destroys your suspension and your wrists
The corrugated sections in the north loosen bolts and wear components in hours. The right tire pressure is the difference between riding well and arriving in pieces.
- 03Between Cochrane and Villa O'Higgins, fuel can run out
There are stretches where the only pump in town may be empty or closed. Without knowing exactly where and when to refuel, you risk breaking down in the most remote south of Chile.
- 04Rain doesn't warn you — and when it arrives, it lasts days
You can ride an entire week in the rain. If your luggage and gear aren't 100% waterproof, Patagonia turns the trip into a cold, wet misery.
- 05In small towns, accommodation is limited and expensive
In Tortel, Puyuhuapi or Villa O'Higgins, if you don't have a confirmed booking or don't know where to camp, you either pay a fortune for what's available or have nowhere to sleep.
THE COLD RAINFOREST CLOSES IN. TOTAL FOCUS TO NAVIGATE THE GRAVEL WHEN EVERYTHING IS WET AND SLIPPERY.
DON'T LET ANYTHING RUIN YOUR TRIP
Know the ferry schedules, refuel points in the deep south, and the gravel stretches that hurt the most without proper preparation.
THAT'S WHY I BUILT THIS GUIDE
I rode the Carretera Austral in both directions. Under the relentless rain of the Puyuhuapi area, under the dry sun of the southern lakes. I missed a ferry once by arriving late and got a flat on a stretch with no signal. This guide is the field manual that would have saved me those mistakes.
48 pages with a tactical itinerary, 12 stages with up-to-date ferry schedules, verified gas stations, recommended accommodations, and a GPX track that takes you through the best scenic detours without getting lost.
- ✓Verified GPX track — Includes detours to glaciers and hidden lakes that don't appear on tourist maps
- ✓Ferry guide — Schedules, booking websites and tips so you don't miss the boat
- ✓Rain packing checklist — What to bring to keep your gear dry for days of water
- ✓Refuel points — Exact map of gas stations and required range between stretches
- ✓Accommodation and camping — Where to sleep at every stage: verified hostels and campsites
- ✓12 day-by-day stages — With exact mileage and current gravel conditions per stretch
BUDGET MOTORCYCLE TRAVEL
What it really costs and how to afford it. Low-cost method backed by 68,000+ real miles.
WHY CHOOSE THE CARRETERA AUSTRAL GUIDE?
This guide wasn't prepared by a travel journalist. It was prepared by someone who has ridden the Austral gravel in both directions and knows exactly what fails when you're not ready: ferries, fuel, and gear. Every stage is designed so you arrive rested, dry, and without surprises.
TECHNICAL CHECKPOINT
On loose gravel, the key is steady speed and looking far ahead. The guide includes a section on adjusting your suspension for the washboard sections in the north and what pressures to use depending on surface conditions. Don't gamble.
WHAT DO YOU GET WHEN YOU DOWNLOAD THE GUIDE?
- ★48-page PDF guide designed for use on mobile devices
- ★GPX tracks per stage with all points of interest marked
SATISFACTION GUARANTEE
IF THE GUIDE DOESN'T MEET YOUR TRIP EXPECTATIONS, I REFUND YOU IN 7 DAYS.
My goal is for you to enjoy the road. If the information doesn't bring real value to your planning, tell me and we'll fix it.
MILES OF GRAVEL AND ABSOLUTE SOLITUDE UNDER SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAINS. HERE, YOUR BIKE'S RANGE IS EVERYTHING.
WITHOUT THE GUIDE vs. WITH THE GUIDE
IMPROVISING IN CHILE
Miss ferries because you didn't book ahead
Run out of fuel on critical stretches
Destroy your suspension with wrong tire pressures
Get soaked because your gear isn't up to it
Pay a fortune for mediocre accommodation with no alternative
Miss the hidden lakes and glaciers off the main track
Feel the unease of not knowing what comes next
WITH THE AUSTRAL METHOD
Total control over ferry logistics
Exact map of every refuel point per stage
Riding technique on real Austral gravel
Tested waterproof gear checklist
Sleep at the best hostels and campsites on every stage
Optimized 12-stage itinerary with the best scenic detours
The confidence of someone who has already ridden the route
THE TURQUOISE OF THE BAKER RIVER REMINDS YOU WHY YOU CAME. EVERY POTHOLE HAS ITS REWARD.
DON'T GO IN BLIND
The exact itinerary, ferry schedules, and GPX tracks by stage. Everything you need so logistics don't ruin the most savage route in South America.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS // THE GUIDE
01Why should I buy this guide instead of looking up free info online?
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Why should I buy this guide instead of looking up free info online?
I've poured serious time into researching and refining every route based on my own experience. The guides for routes I haven't ridden yet I prepare as if they were for me, making sure I deliver detailed, practical information you won't find easily online. Plus, every guide includes a GPX file so you can load the route directly into your GPS and follow it without issues.
02How detailed is the guide?
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How detailed is the guide?
Every guide is highly detailed. It includes maps, accommodation recommendations, mechanics, what to pack, local tips and more. And since most of the guides are based on my own experience, you can be sure they're built to help you at every step. Each guide also comes with a GPX file detailing accommodation spots, must-see places and more.
03Can I use the guide on my phone or a portable device?
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Can I use the guide on my phone or a portable device?
Of course! The guide is in PDF format, so you can access it from any phone or tablet. That way you carry all the information at hand during the trip. The GPX file included is compatible with most GPS units, so you can load the route directly onto your device.
04What if the guide isn't what I expected?
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What if the guide isn't what I expected?
I promise every guide is built with full detail and care. I've created these guides based on my own experience, which means they're built to help you enjoy the trip safely and without setbacks. If you have second thoughts or doubts, you can contact me to make sure it's what you're looking for.
05Is the guide easy to follow even if I'm new to motorcycle travel?
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Is the guide easy to follow even if I'm new to motorcycle travel?
Yes, absolutely. I've designed every guide to be easy to follow whether you're an experienced motorcycle traveler or just starting out. Each guide includes clear, accessible information along with the GPX file so you can load the route directly into your GPS and follow it without issues.
06What if I have questions after buying the guide?
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What if I have questions after buying the guide?
If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me. Although there are no refunds, I'll be available to help you sort out any question you have so you can get the most out of the guide and the GPX file.
Don't ride the Carretera Austral
without this guide!
48
TECHNICAL PAGES
12
DAY-BY-DAY STAGES
749
MILES OF LEGEND
IT'S NOT A TOURIST BROCHURE.
IT'S THE PLAN THAT TAKES YOU FROM PUERTO MONTT TO VILLA O'HIGGINS.
GPX TRACK + CHECKLIST + ACCOMMODATIONS + MECHANICS
7-DAY GUARANTEE
EMAIL SUPPORT
FREE UPDATES
A GIFT FOR BEING HERETHE ADVENTURE OF LIVING FREE
Do fear or doubt paralyze you before starting any project? You're not alone — every one of us has been there.
As a thank-you for visiting my site, I'm giving you my book "The Adventure of Living Free" (Spanish PDF). A manual built to bring some light through the shadows and show you the philosophy that has let me ride the world for years.
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