Carretera Austral · Palena Province
Where to stay between Chaitén and Futaleufú
It is about 150 km (93 mi) and 2 to 3 hours of driving, so most people do it in one day. If you need to split the trip, there are beds in Chaitén town, at Lake Yelcho (55 km in, where we are), at a couple of small places before and after Villa Santa Lucía, and in Futaleufú.
- ≈ 150 km
- from Chaitén to Futaleufú (93 mi)
- 2 to 3 h
- of driving, not counting stops
- 55 km
- from Chaitén to Lake Yelcho, paved (34 mi)
- 100 km
- from the lake to Futaleufú, mostly gravel (62 mi)
- Futaleufú pass
- closed at night: check the hours
The road, north to south
Paved to Villa Santa Lucía, gravel to Futaleufú
The road leaves Chaitén heading south on the Carretera Austral (Route 7). At Villa Santa Lucía it turns east towards Futaleufú and the border with Argentina.
- Chaitén 55 km · about 40 min · paved
- Lake Yelcho, km 253 25 km · about 20 min · paved
- Villa Santa Lucía about 75 km · mostly gravel, with roadworks
- Futaleufú
From the lake to Futaleufú, allow 1 h 30 to 2 h 30, depending on the gravel and how many roadworks you meet. Longer in the rain.
Split the trip if…
- your ferry lands in the afternoon. From Caleta Gonzalo to the lake is 111 km (69 mi), about 2 h 30; going on to Futaleufú adds another long stretch of gravel, often after dark.
- you are coming from Argentina and your ferry leaves Chaitén the next day. You cross the border, drive the gravel in daylight and sleep 40 minutes from the port.
- you want to drive the gravel in daylight and without rushing, which is how it should be driven.
Stay at one end instead if…
- your ferry or flight leaves Chaitén early: stay in town.
- you are heading north on the Caleta Gonzalo ferry route: from the lake it is about 2 h 30 to the dock. Check the departure time carefully.
- you are rafting or spending several days on the Futaleufú River: stay there.
Stop by stop
Where the beds are along the way
Most of the accommodation is at the two ends. In between there is less, almost all of it small and run by its owners.
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Chaitén town
Start of the route- Hotels, hostels and cabins, for example Hotel Mi Casa. It has the most beds on the route and the services: fuel, ATMs and supermarkets.
For an early ferry or light-aircraft departure. Full list at the Chaitén tourist office (in Spanish).
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El Amarillo
About 20 km from the lake, towards Chaitén- El Amarillo Lodge: well-kept cabins in the El Amarillo area.
For combining the lake with the area around Chaitén and the volcano.
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Lake Yelcho and Puerto Cárdenas
Km 253 · 55 km from Chaitén- Yelcho en la Patagonia (us): an eight-room hotel with breakfast, six cabins for up to six people ten meters from the water, and fifteen campsites, with a restaurant and bar.
- Cabañas Villa Gesell, in Puerto Cárdenas, on the bank of the Yelcho River, a few minutes from the hotel.
For travelers coming off the ferry and heading to Futaleufú, or coming from Argentina and sailing from Chaitén the next day.
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Cuesta del Moraga
About 15 km south of the lake- Hostería La Cumbre, with views over the valley, between the lake and Villa Santa Lucía.
A halfway point a few minutes from the junction.
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Villa Santa Lucía
25 km south of the lake- The turn-off to Futaleufú and Palena. The village was rebuilt after the 2017 mudslide, and we don't know of any place to stay there that we can recommend.
Treat it as a junction. The nearest beds are on the Cuesta del Moraga, on the Roberto River and at the lake.
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Roberto River
Past Villa Santa Lucía, towards Futaleufú- Refugio Río Roberto, on the riverbank.
For combining the trip with fishing or other activities in the Futaleufú basin.
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Futaleufú
End of the route · about 150 km from Chaitén- Lodges, inns and cabins: for example Uman Lodge, with a spa, Hotel El Barranco and Hostería Río Grande.
For rafting on the Futaleufú River, or an early crossing into Argentina.
The places in the middle of the route are run by neighbors we know first-hand; their contact details are in our list of places to stay near Lake Yelcho (in Spanish). Availability and prices directly with each one.
Before you set off
Services are few on this route and waiting is normal. Three things to sort out in advance:
- Fuel
- In Chaitén, the Copec on Av. Corcovado 453 is open 24 hours. There is a Shell in El Amarillo; check its hours on site. At the end of the route, the Copec in Futaleufú only has 95-octane gasoline and diesel. Fill up when you can, not when you need to.
- Border crossing
- The Futaleufú crossing is closed at night and its hours change with the season: check them the day before at pasosfronterizos.gov.cl. When entering Chile, declare any animal and plant products.
- Ferries
- The Somarco ferry between Hornopirén and Caleta Gonzalo must be booked in advance at barcazas.cl, especially in January and February. Confirm schedules with the operator before fixing your dates.
Frequently asked questions
What travelers ask us about this road
How long does it take to drive from Chaitén to Futaleufú?
It is about 150 km (93 mi): 55 km (34 mi) of paved road to Lake Yelcho, around 40 minutes, and about 100 km (62 mi) more to Futaleufú, mostly gravel, which takes 1 h 30 to 2 h 30. In total, 2 to 3 hours of driving without stops, and longer in rain or with roadworks.
Is the road from Chaitén to Futaleufú paved?
Not all of it. Chaitén to Villa Santa Lucía is paved. Villa Santa Lucía to Futaleufú, about 75 km (47 mi), is mostly gravel, with sections under construction.
Is there anywhere to stay in Villa Santa Lucía?
We don't know of any place in the village we can recommend. The closest options are Hostería La Cumbre on the Cuesta del Moraga, about 10 km (6 mi) north; Refugio Río Roberto, on the road to Futaleufú; and Lake Yelcho, 25 km (16 mi) north.
Should I stay in Chaitén or at Lake Yelcho?
It depends on the next day. If your ferry or flight leaves Chaitén early, stay in town. If you are heading on to Futaleufú or further south, the lake puts you 55 km (34 mi) ahead.
What are the opening hours of the Futaleufú border crossing?
It does not open at night and its hours change with the season. Check them the day before at pasosfronterizos.gov.cl and plan to cross with time to spare.
Where can I get fuel between Chaitén and Futaleufú?
In Chaitén, at the Copec on Av. Corcovado 453, open 24 hours; at the Shell in El Amarillo, whose hours you should confirm on site; and on arrival, at the Copec in Futaleufú, which only has 95-octane gasoline and diesel. The rule on this road is to fill up when you can, not when you need to.
Stopping at the lake?
On our website you see real availability and the day’s rate, with no middlemen. If you are not sure whether to sleep here, in Chaitén or in Futaleufú, write to us and we will help you plan the route.
Or by email at reservas@yelcho.cl