The mythical Ruta 40
Tour the Andes Patagonia from North to South in an adventurous ride along one of the major routes in Argentina.
Get on the way. Take the route that runs all along the Andes Mountains, the lenga forests in the Lanín National Park and the rural villages, and then gets into the Patagonia steppe. The gravel road masters the landscapes and invites you to drive all along the lakes. And the Camino del Valle Encantado will lead you to the city of Bariloche where you will feel part of unique landscapes.
The circuit continues in Cerro López, where you can get to the mountain top and watch the stars by the fire. Then you will get to El Bolsón and the Comarca del Paralelo 42: Lago Puelo, El Hoyo, Epuyén. To the South, you will run along La Trochita rails and reach Esquel, where other roads will lead you to the Torrecillas Glacier and Cerro La Torta. The Andes are close. The views are unlimited. Ruta 40 is waiting for you.
Geographic location: Argentine Patagonia.
How to get here: you can start your journey in Neuquén, which has an airport for domestic flights.
Area: 5,194 km (the country’s length from North to South). In the Patagonia region only one portion of the route is covered.
Altitude: 500 meters above sea level (average).
Climate: warm to cold, temperatures get lower from North to South. Intense snowfall in winter.
Ideal time of the year: December through March.
Recommended length of stay: 7 to 10 days.
Recommended clothing: the Patagonia region is very windy. Be ready for winds and climate changes.
What to do: there are appealing views that invite you to take pictures all along the ride. From Ruta 40 there are journeys setting off Westbound that reach as far as the foot of the Andes and in some cases go on and cross Chile. You can also take longer tours Eastbound, getting across the large Patagonia steppe and reach as far as the Atlantic Coast.
Tips: in this type of activities, it is advisable to take maps, such as the ones published by the Automóvil Club Argentino, or else the aid of a GPS. In the longest journeys, there are fuel stations and tourist service centers. Day or night tours, with or without a driver, can be booked.