Futalelfu to Villa O'Higgins- Chile
 

Hi all,

I´m planning a ride from Futalelfu down to Villa O´Higgins in Souhtern Chile and then accross to Comodoro Rivadavia in Argentina.

Quick question: what is the best time to go? Now, I mean late March/early April, or later in the year, like October/November. I´ve heard the weather can be very nasty if one picks the wrong time of the year to explore this region.

Thanks very much!

IIRC, from our own research. December to February. Hence why we went in Jan 2015.

We had a mostly dry run, and never anything approaching very cold. Worst weather was the strong winds.

HU Traveller Two Pegs to Patagonia's Ride Tale

Do you intend entering Argentina south of O'Higgins ? That is more a push bike/walkers route.

Chile south
 

BruceP is correct: around December; mid year is winter and this means, in Carretera Austral, rain+rain+cold+cold. Someone defined weather from April to September, as better you ride a jetski than a motorcycle.

If you ride all the way to Villa O'Higgins, you have to come back north, at least to Cochrane.

Santiago

Thanks Bruce. We are planning on crossing back to Argentina via Chile Chico. Best, Fernando

It is possible to cross the ARG/CHL border at O'Higgens with a vehicle - but only in the winter or late autumn. The crossing is directly east of O'Higgens and involves fording a large river then connects with a trail to Estancia La Florida. The water flows in the spring and summer are too large for even a 4x4 truck to cross. As for immigration papers, i believe you can get stamped out in O'Higgens. There are Argentine military folks on the ARG side who can probably help with the docs on that side.

Hola Fernando.

I rode through Futaleufu (from Esquel) and then joined the Carretera Austral at Santa Lucia. I stopped for some whitewater rafting action and the riding was also pretty sweet.

I rode as far south as Cochrane and crossed at Paso Roballos 17km north of Cochrane. This crossing doesn't sound as hardcore as going over at O'Higgins but I think is much better and exciting ride than crossing at Chile Chico.

Fun road, beautiful scenery, wild animals running along side the bike and friendly (lonely) border guards. - This day from Cochrane to Bajo Caracoles on Ruta 40 was probably a highlight of my 7 months on road in South America so far.

I was going through this part of the world mid February to early March. Reached Ushuaia for Easter 2016.

It was getting a wee bit chilly but the days on Carretera and Ruta 40 were at least sunny - with wind.

Whatever choice you make, It's all fun :scooter:

Two plugs i will make for the Chile Chico pass:

1) The town on the Arg side (Los Antiguos) has a wonderful cherry festival every year and you can buy awesome roadside cherries in the town. the town is very green and lush with some great campgrounds. Chile Chico on the otherhand is basically a desert.

2) The road from Chile Chico to the Carraterra is fantastic for views of glaciers and the incredible lake beside it.

My wife and I rode North, Chile Chico- Los Antiguos, spectacular ride all the way up the carratera and good weather (Early January)
Gino & Fiona

I drove the Carretera in Jan also. Weather was fine. I wouldn't say it was crowded on the road, but it was definitely crowded on the ferries. I'd recommend buying the ferry tickets a few days in advance of sailing if you can.

Jan is fine, it is "busy" for a reason, because it is the best time to go.

But one persons busy, is another persons quiet. In 3 weeks on the R7 we saw mainly cyclists, and they were few and far between. I was surprised how few motorbikes we saw.

Ferries, busy yes, but need booking ? For a motorbike ? No. The locals laughed when I originally asked about that. There is always room for a bike or two.

Hola Amigos

From the Original Posters query - riding from Futaleufu to O'Higgins - I don't think booking or worrying about ferries will be an issue. I can't recall using any during this stretch of the Carretera Austral.

There is the free one from Puerto Yungay to Rio Bravo getting closer to O'Higgins. I'm not sure you can book that one. I could be wrong.

Cheers
Neil

Depends what route you take, Coming south in Chile there is one ferry (actually two linked ferries) that is very busy during peak times and without a booking you would need to allow a couple of days or more to get a vehicle on. Bikes less of a problem of course.

Correct, you cannot book.

But if you turn up a touch late, crest the hill and final bend, see that they have already backed out and turned around. If the nice captain spots you he turns round and comes back for you :-)

Hi Tony. From Fernando's post he is riding from Futaleafu to O'Higgins.

Correct me if I'm wrong but on that route there are no ferries except the free one getting down towards O'Higgins. (I didn't use any ferries from Futaleufu to Cochrane).

Just don't want Fernando to be worrying about trying to book ferries when there is no need.

The busy ferries I think everyone is giving him worthy advice about are north of Santa Lucia where he will join the R7.

Best regards
Neil