Cajón del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso — Andes Day Loop fromSantiago.
Distance
200 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
2,700 m
Cajón del Maipo & Embalse El Yeso — Andes Day Loop from Santiago.
A 200km Andes day loop from Santiago up the Maipo River canyon to the turquoise Embalse El Yeso reservoir at 3,000m. The G-25 follows the river through narrow rock walls past San José de Maipo before turning onto the gravel G-455 toward the dam. Classic weekend ride for Santiago motorcyclists — paved twisties on the way out, 25km of washboard gravel to the lake itself.
Quick facts
SurfaceMixed
Distance200 km
Days1
Total climb2,700 m
Fuel stops1 along route
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
SantiagoStart · Start in central Santiago. Head east on Camino al Volcán (G-25). Fuel up before leaving the city — services thin out fast in the canyon.
San José de MaipoScenic Point · Gateway town to the canyon. Coffee in the plaza, then the G-25 starts twisting between sheer rock walls along the Maipo River.
Embalse El YesoMountain Pass · Turquoise glacial reservoir at 3,000m surrounded by red Andean peaks. Last 25km is washboard gravel. Wind is brutal in the afternoon — go early.
San AlfonsoRestaurant · Riverside village on the return. Empanadas de pino and a cold beer at any of the roadside restaurants. Cheap and excellent.
San José de Maipo PlazaFuel Stop · Last fuel stop before Santiago. Top up if rush-hour traffic into the city looks ugly.
SantiagoEnd · End back in Santiago. Total ~200km with 50km of unpaved canyon riding. Bike will be filthy — wear it as a badge.
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