At the end of the Carretera Austral lies the remote town of Villa O’higgins. The only way to reach this secluded area is via ferry or air, there is no direct road. Though hidden away in Patagonia near the southern Ice Fields, the town is still vibrant with activity and a hot spot for intrepid tourists.
Getting to Villa O’Higgins
Unless you’re intending to reach the rural town via its small air strip, the journey can be arduous. The long gravel road winds through mountain scapes, along rivers and through dense forest. All before you even reach the ferry. Following the Carreterra Austral south, passing Cochrane and Tortel you’ll finally reach the port of Caleta Yungay where a free ferry takes you across the calm waters. Timings of the ferry are dependant on the season and weather conditions so you may be in for a long wait. Once you’ve reached the other side there is still another 100km drive through rugged undisturbed terrain on a harsh gravel track before you reach the heart of the town.
Information centre
There is a number of hikes in the area so to ensure you find the best one for you, you should definitely pass by the information centre. The little hut like building is located on Plaza O’Higgins. Not only are they knowledgable on the hikes in the area and where to eat they’ll also guide you to the ‘End of the World’ sign. If you take a picture with the sign and head back to the information centre you’ll get a delightful certificate as a memento.
Hikes
Out of the numerous hikes we chose the Mirador la Bandera, a four-five hour trail up and along the Cerro Santiago mountain. The hike starts of steep as you head up to the flag view point overlooking the town and neighbouring snow capped mountains. A rugged marked path snakes through the dense forest requiring basic rock climbing at times. A the top you are rewarded with the breath taking view over Lake Villa O’Higgins that continues as you follow the trail along before the decent begins. As steep as it was going up it was just as steep coming down, mind your step!
Eateries and Cervecerias
There are several paces to eat and drink within the town, we opted for Ventisca Cerveceria Patagonica. We enjoyed great local beer and great home-made locally sourced burgers!
Conclusion
Even though Villa O’Higgins is difficult to reach, it is worth the harsh journey to enjoy the beauty of this small town surrounded by mountains, lakes and natural beauty.
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