Lagunas Altas Route — Paso Vergara to Lago General Carrera via the Aysén Highland Spine
Patagonia's plateau before the crowds found it.
East of Coyhaique, beyond where the Carretera Austral’s tourist traffic thins out, a network of backcountry tracks pushes up onto the Aysén plateau — a wind-scoured tableland of basalt, peat bogs, and turquoise glacial lagoons that most overlanders driving south never bother to explore. The Lagunas Altas route climbs from the Río Simpson valley near Paso Vergara onto the high ground, traversing Laguna El Toro and Laguna Caro before descending toward Bahía Murta on Lago General Carrera — the second-largest lake in South America. The track crosses several unnamed streams without bridges, traverses soft peat sections that will swallow a careless vehicle to the axles, and runs exposed ridgelines where Patagonian wind gusts regularly top 100 km/h.
A high-clearance 4WD with a snorkel and robust recovery kit is the minimum. All-terrain or mud-terrain tyres are essential in the shoulder seasons when the peat is saturated. No fuel between Coyhaique and Chile Chico — carry extra. Water is abundant but treat it. The route runs through a mix of private estancia land and CONAF-managed territory; permission from estancia owners along the route is the expected courtesy and occasionally legally required. September through April is driveable; winter closes the high sections under snow. This is Patagonia before the Instagram crowd arrived — raw, cold, and completely worth every stuck moment.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 87 mi / 140 km |
| Duration | 2-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 5100 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with snorkel, MT or AT tyres |
| Nearest town | Coyhaique, Aysén Region |
| Land manager | CONAF / Private Estancias — Aysén Region |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | CONAF Aysén Region |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or 4Runner handle this route, or do I need a lift and lockers?
Stock high-clearance 4WD will struggle on the wetter sections — a snorkel is essential given the water crossings, and mud-terrain or aggressive all-terrain tyres are non-negotiable. A lift helps but isn't mandatory; lockers will save you on the basalt shelf sections if conditions deteriorate. Don't attempt this in a stock mid-size SUV.
When does the route actually open, and what closes it down?
November through March is your window — snow and ice lock the plateau from April onward, and spring melt in October keeps the crossings dangerous and unpredictable. Even in summer, Patagonian weather can dump snow at 5,100 ft with zero warning, so check forecasts out of Coyhaique before you leave.
Do I need permits to run this route, and who controls access through the estancias?
Sections crossing private estancias require landowner permission — there's no formal permit system, but showing up without asking is a fast way to get a gate locked in your face. CONAF manages the public land portions; check in at their Coyhaique office before departure for current access status and any fire restrictions.
What's the hardest section on this route and what specifically makes it technical?
The most demanding stretch is the mid-route plateau crossing near the highland spine, where the track becomes faint, surfaces turn to waterlogged peat and loose basalt, and sideslope angles increase sharply. Throw in Patagonian wind gusts that can physically push a high-profile vehicle and zero cell service if you dig in, and this section demands full attention and a recovery kit you actually know how to use.
How far is the nearest fuel from the route, and can I resupply water on-trail?
Coyhaique is your last guaranteed fuel stop — fill everything including auxiliary tanks before you leave, as there's no fuel on the 140 km route itself. Water is abundant from glacial lagoons and streams along the plateau, but treat everything; livestock grazing on the estancias means contamination risk even in clean-looking sources.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.