The Carretera Austral was all we’d expected and more: beautiful scenery, steep climbs and descents, little traffic (but lots of other cycle tourists), and quite a bit of rain. We had a trip down memory lane, going to see the stadium we helped build with Raleigh in Villa Ortega in 2002 before meeting up with old friends in Coyhaique. At Villa O’Higgins, the end of the 1,000km road we caught a boat across Lago O’Higgins with 10 other cyclists, then walked and pushed our bikes through muddy woods into Argentina. At El Chalten our weather luck changed and we had some stunning clear days to hike around the Cerro Torre and Fitzroy range.

Cycling Stats
Days getting from El Bolson to El Chalten – 27
Distance – 1,300km
Time cycling – 103h01
Cycle days – 21
Rainy cycle days – 8

Maximum speeds – 63.3kph (N), 63.0kph (H)
Unpaved roads – 1,011km
Longest day – 99km
Punctures – 1 (N)

Number of cycle tourists we met – 45

Accommodation – 6 beds, 7 camps, 14 wild camps
Longest stretch without a bed – 23 nights
Storms – 0
Pasta and sauces eaten – 11

Chilean beers drunk – Austral, Royal Guard, Dorada Extra Fuerte, Escudo.

Photos