Carraterra Austral

[katanarog]

Hi all. I'm in Bariloche heading South on my DL 650. Thinking about heading over into Chile via futaleufu and South down the Austral. Anyone over there now? What's the road like ? Weather? I have quite a road going tyre on the rear do I need a knobbly? Are there long sections with deep gravel or is it mostly hard packed. I understand there are fuel stations to be found. I guess I need to stock up on Chilean pesos before I head over . Any advice much appreciated.
Rog n Aly

[Dmwbmw]

Im headed there in 30 days.....
You wont have any problems with a DL650 even if you have street tires.


Right now the weather looks OK but it can change day to day and rain any time even in the summer.


There is gas but you have to be a little careful if you have a small tank.


Even with no gas stations I have always found someone in every small Chilean town who will sell me 5 l of gas, you just have to ask around if you run short.


I have booked the ferries N and S to get to/from Puerto Montt( a series of three ferries). Transportes Austral www.taustral.cl


Not sure if motorcycles need a reservation or if they will just shoehorn you on, but thought it was better to be safe. I know reservations are essential for a car during higher travel months Dec through April. Check it out if you are coming back North in Chile.

[Snakeboy]

I rode the Careterra Austral last december. Around half of it is unpaved and the rest is gravel roads. A bit rough here and there but doable if you take it easy. Could be a bit worse after heavy rain of course. Between Chaiten and Coyhaique there was a lot of road construction going on so roads were a bit bad here and there. And the last leg to O’Higgins, after the last ferry Puerto Yungay - was also a bit rough but doable with a bit of care and not too fast. Fuel in Chaiten, Coyhaique, Cochrane and O’Highins and a few other places so nothing to worry about. I didnt book any ferries and didnt have any problems at all.

[gatogato]

Make sure your bike is in good mechanical condition before you do it. It is more remote, so if you need a part, you are going to be waiting a long time to have it shipped in.

[Kingchi]

Hi! My partner and I are in Pucón... on our way to the Carretera Austral on Friday, Dec 1st. Most off roads or secondary roads here are what they call "ripio" (gravel roads) and the Austral is all ripio, you can do without the knobbly unless is a 4x4 track. We are riding on 250's so our pace is slow.... if you want to meet up or travel together for a while, please do reach out! We love to meet other travelers and exchange info

[Snakeboy]

Originally Posted by Kingchi

Hi! My partner and I are in Pucón... on our way to the Carretera Austral on Friday, Dec 1st. Most off roads or secondary roads here are what they call "ripio" (gravel roads) and the Austral is all ripio, you can do without the knobbly unless is a 4x4 track. We are riding on 250's so our pace is slow.... if you want to meet up or travel together for a while, please do reach out! We love to meet other travelers and exchange info

Arond half of the Carretera Austral is paved as of december last year. And they were working hard to upgrade and pave more of it so its gonna be more and more bitumen every year.

While in Pucon be shure to visit Pucon Motocamp around 15 kms out of town. A fantastic place for bike travellers.