Transafricaine Piste — Bangui to Bangassou via the Central African Republic Savannah Corridor
Patagonia unfiltered — wind, gravel, and silence.
South of El Chaltén, Ruta 40 becomes a gravel and dirt road hammered by relentless Patagonian westerlies that regularly gust above 100 km/h. The route runs north through the Santa Cruz province steppe, past Lago Cardiel’s turquoise expanse and the ghost-town crossroads at Gobernador Gregores, before pushing on to Bajo Caracoles — a dot on the map with a single fuel pump that sometimes runs dry. The Fitz Roy massif drops behind you quickly, and within an hour you’re in raw, empty steppe where guanacos outnumber people a thousand to one and the corrugations can shake loose anything not properly secured.
Wind is the primary enemy here — it can force you off the road and has rolled unprepared campervans. Bring fuel for at least 400 km of range as stations are few and unreliable. Tyre damage from sharp Patagonian gravel is nearly certain on a full traverse; carry two full-size spares minimum. A high-clearance 4WD handles this fine in dry conditions, but dirt sections after Lago Cardiel turn greasy after rain. Best season is November through March (austral summer). No permits required. The payoff is one of the loneliest, most visually staggering roads on earth — Patagonia unfiltered, no guardrails, no guardrails on the soul either.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 162 mi / 260 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 2953 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with dual spares and long-range fuel |
| Nearest town | El Chaltén, Santa Cruz |
| Land manager | Dirección Nacional de Vialidad (Argentina) |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Vialidad Nacional Argentina — road authority |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner handle this stretch of Ruta 40?
Yes, but it needs to be high-clearance 4WD — stock ride height is fine. The bigger concern is fuel range and tires; Patagonian gravel is aggressive and blowouts are common, so two mounted spares are not optional here.
Is this section of Ruta 40 passable in winter (June–September)?
Technically passable but not recommended — snow, ice, and brutal wind make the route genuinely dangerous, and services between El Chaltén and Bajo Caracoles are essentially zero. Stick to November through March when conditions are harsh but survivable.
Do I need any permits or fees to drive this route?
No permit required to drive Ruta 40 itself. If you camp inside Los Glaciares National Park boundaries near El Chaltén, you'll need to register with the park service — it's free but mandatory.
What's the hardest part of this drive and what should I actually expect?
The relentless crosswind is the real threat — sustained gusts above 100 km/h are normal and can push a high-profile vehicle across the road. The surface is corrugated gravel with embedded sharp rock; keep speeds moderate or you'll chew through tires and suspension faster than you expect.
How far is the fuel gap between El Chaltén and Bajo Caracoles, and is there anything in between?
It's roughly 260 km with no reliable fuel stop in between — Tres Lagos has a station but it's often closed or dry, so treat it as a bonus if open. Carry a minimum 50-litre reserve on top of a full tank before leaving El Chaltén.
Trail track
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