Patagonia Ruta 40 — Bariloche to ElCalafate.
Distance
680 km
Duration
3 days
Climb
3,200 m
Patagonia Ruta 40 — Bariloche to El Calafate.
The southern section of Argentina's mythical Ruta Nacional 40 crosses the Patagonian steppe from the lake district to the glaciers. Fierce winds blow constantly from the west, paved sections alternate with gravel, and the only company for hundreds of kilometres is guanacos and condors. The reward is Perito Moreno Glacier — the world's only advancing glacier.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance680 km
Days3
Total climb3,200 m
DifficultyChallenging
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3 days, 3 moods.
A suggested split across 3 days with 10 waypoints to discover along the way.
BarilocheStart · Start in Bariloche — Patagonia's ski city on the shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi. One of Argentina's most beautiful settings.
El BolsónScenic Point · The hippie arts village of Patagonia. Cherry orchards, craft beer, artisan markets. A gentle start before the steppe.
EsquelScenic Point · Last city before the steppe. Old Patagonia Express steam train (La Trochita) still runs from here. Fuel up.
Río MayoOvernight · Overnight in Río Mayo — a true Patagonian estancia town. Population 3,000. One hotel, one restaurant, one street.
Ruta 40 Open SteppeScenic Point · Hours of nothing but horizons, guanacos, and wind. This is why people ride the Ruta 40.
Cueva de las ManosPhoto Spot · UNESCO site — a canyon of 9,000-year-old hand-print cave paintings by the region's earliest inhabitants. Mind-bending.
Perito Moreno TownOvernight · Overnight in Perito Moreno town. Not to be confused with the glacier (same name, different place). Basic but warm.
Los AntiguosScenic Point · On the Chilean border, Lago Buenos Aires backdrop. Cherry capital of Patagonia. The road improves here.
Perito Moreno GlacierPhoto Spot · The climax: the 5km-wide, 60m-tall advancing glacier of Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. Continuous ice calving. Book day before.
El CalafateEnd · End in El Calafate on Lago Argentino. Tourist infrastructure for the glaciers. Well-deserved Patagonian lamb.
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