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The Austral Road crosses one of the most uneven and rugged areas in the world. The isolation and natural obstacles such as virgin forests, fjords, swamps, lakes, cliffs, valleys and impenetrable forests, added to the lack of human and material resources, increased considerably the cost of the required infrastructure.
The Austral Road crosses one of the most uneven and rugged areas in the world. The isolation and natural obstacles such as virgin forests, fjords, swamps, lakes, cliffs, valleys and impenetrable forests, added to the lack of human and material resources, increased considerably the cost of the required infrastructure.
This was the scenery that near the 10,000 members of the Military Labor Corps (Cuerpo Militar del Trabajo [CMT]) had to face to open tracks, which later would become the more than 770 miles of the Austral Longitudinal Highway (Carretera Longitudinal Austral) all the way to Villa O'Higgins, near the Southern Icefield (Campo de Hielo Sur), and 142 miles of transversal roads.
Over a period of 20 years, 10,124 lineal feet of bridges were raised; a total of 13,393,517 cubic feet of earth were removed by excavation, plus 26,101,108 cubic feet of rock; more than 500 tons of explosive were used and 27 campsites were installed.
The CMT worked under hard climatic conditions and in the most complete geographic isolation, with 8 annual months with below zero temperatures and 10 months of rain.
The 776 miles that are already finished of the Austral Longitudinal Highway were constructed practically without machinery. These could only operate after the members of the CMT did the hardest work of access and penetration.
In the X Region 21 localities were favored with the construction of the Austral Road. These are: Lenka, Choica, Las Arenas, Puelche, Contao, Rolecha, Manzano, Pichicolo, Río Negro, Hornopirén, Cholgo, Poyo, Llancará, Buil, Leptepú, Santa Bárbara, Chaitén, Puerto Cárdenas, Villa Santa Lucía and Villa Vanguardia.
In the XI Region, the Austral Road favored 16 localities that considerably improved their communication with the rest of the country. These are: La Junta, Puyuhuapi, Villa Amengual, Villa Mañiguales, Villa Ortega, Coihaique, Villa Castillo, Bahía Murta, Puerto Río Tranquilo, Maulín Grande, Puerto Madal, Chile Chico, Cochrane, Lago Vargas, Puerto Yungay, Tortel and, finally, Villa O' Higgins.
The execution of the construction work itself of the Austral Road and the arrival of the new settlers have produced a cultural change in those who live in the area, and have created the adequate conditions for the settlement by new inhabitants. Furthermore, the Austral Road allow providing a series of social services such as education, health, drinking water, electricity, sewer systems, etc. in the territory, which are substantially improving the quality of life of the inhabitants.
After an investment of more than 200 millions of dollars, the construction was completed in March 1996, with the completion of the last stretch of the longitudinal road that connects Puerto Montt to Puerto Yungay. Later, in the year 2000, the stretch between Puerto Yungay and Villa O' Higgins would be completed, comprising 63 miles, and the two most southerly cities that were part of this gigantic road construction operation, the Austral Longitudinal Highway of Chile.
This was the scenery that near the 10,000 members of the Military Labor Corps (Cuerpo Militar del Trabajo [CMT]) had to face to open tracks, which later would become the more than 770 miles of the Austral Longitudinal Highway (Carretera Longitudinal Austral) all the way to Villa O'Higgins, near the Southern Icefield (Campo de Hielo Sur), and 142 miles of transversal roads.
Over a period of 20 years, 10,124 lineal feet of bridges were raised; a total of 13,393,517 cubic feet of earth were removed by excavation, plus 26,101,108 cubic feet of rock; more than 500 tons of explosive were used and 27 campsites were installed.
The CMT worked under hard climatic conditions and in the most complete geographic isolation, with 8 annual months with below zero temperatures and 10 months of rain.
The 776 miles that are already finished of the Austral Longitudinal Highway were constructed practically without machinery. These could only operate after the members of the CMT did the hardest work of access and penetration.
In the X Region 21 localities were favored with the construction of the Austral Road. These are: Lenka, Choica, Las Arenas, Puelche, Contao, Rolecha, Manzano, Pichicolo, Río Negro, Hornopirén, Cholgo, Poyo, Llancará, Buil, Leptepú, Santa Bárbara, Chaitén, Puerto Cárdenas, Villa Santa Lucía and Villa Vanguardia.
In the XI Region, the Austral Road favored 16 localities that considerably improved their communication with the rest of the country. These are: La Junta, Puyuhuapi, Villa Amengual, Villa Mañiguales, Villa Ortega, Coihaique, Villa Castillo, Bahía Murta, Puerto Río Tranquilo, Maulín Grande, Puerto Madal, Chile Chico, Cochrane, Lago Vargas, Puerto Yungay, Tortel and, finally, Villa O' Higgins.
The execution of the construction work itself of the Austral Road and the arrival of the new settlers have produced a cultural change in those who live in the area, and have created the adequate conditions for the settlement by new inhabitants. Furthermore, the Austral Road allow providing a series of social services such as education, health, drinking water, electricity, sewer systems, etc. in the territory, which are substantially improving the quality of life of the inhabitants.
After an investment of more than 200 millions of dollars, the construction was completed in March 1996, with the completion of the last stretch of the longitudinal road that connects Puerto Montt to Puerto Yungay. Later, in the year 2000, the stretch between Puerto Yungay and Villa O' Higgins would be completed, comprising 63 miles, and the two most southerly cities that were part of this gigantic road construction operation, the Austral Longitudinal Highway of Chile.
Locations
Pumalin Private Park
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Pumalín Park offers the experience to appreciate the pristine nature, value and protect the biodiversity and acquire a bigger awareness of the magic and beauty of the natural world. It’s open all year round; visitors must comply with certain environmental rules that promote maintaining this natural paradise intact for the future generations.
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Chaiten
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The city of Chaitén has good communication links with the rest of the region by means of an aerodrome and a port with a breakwater and berthing ramp, allowing the access of ferries coming from Chonchi, in Chiloé.
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Rosselot Lake National Reserve
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The Rosselot Lake (Lago Rosselot) has an extension of 8,401 acres. The Rosselot Lake is a good destination for those who practice sport fishing. The beautiful coast of the Rosselot Lake is surrounded by hills with forest vegetation and beautiful waterfalls.
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Queulat National Park
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The main attractions of the Queulat Nacional Park are the glaciers, rivers and, especially, the virgin forest, never before crossed by trails nor implemented for settlers. Large part of the territory of the Queulat National Park remains unexplored. The Queulat National Park is the only park in Chile that can be traveled by car.
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Puerto Cisnes
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Puerto Cisnes is a small town that, in its privileged surroundings, offers the possibility of venturing itself in the middle of a wild landscape to develop varied activities.
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El Toqui Valley
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El Toqui Valley (Valle El Toqui) was opened by pilgrims in 1940. In the middle of the burned forest, it emphasizes the Hill Cathedral (Cerro Catedral) that separates the valley of the Argentinean lake Plata-Fontana (Lago Plata-Fontana). The mine the Toqui (La mina El Toqui) is underground and produces concentrated of zinc and gold.
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Trapananda National Reserve
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The predominant vegetal species in The National Reserve of Trapananda (Reserva Nacional Trapananda) correspond to those of the vegetation formation Forest Caducifolio of Aisén in which the characteristic arboreal species is the Lenga (Nothofagus pumilio).
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Simpson River National Reserve
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The most important natural spectacles of The National Reserve of Simpson River (Reserva Nacional Rio Simpson) are the waterfalls: The Virgin (La Vírgen) and Veil of the Fiancèe (El Velo de la Novia).
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Coihaique
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In Coihaique, it is traditional to visit the Stone of the Indian (Piedra del Indio) with the profile of a native; the stone is contiguous to the city and it is possible to arrive to it by foot. It is recommended to cross the bridge Ramón Oses (Puente Ramón Oses) to return to downtown.
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Coihaique National Reserve
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Coihaique National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Coihaique) counts on diverse footpaths and circuits for vehicles, those that allow acceding to sites with excellent panoramic views of Coihaique, the lakes and surrounding valleys. Besides, there is an Arboretum in which the main arboreal species of Coihaique National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Coihaique) can be appreciated.
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Dos Lagunas Natural Monument
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The main activities that can be carried out in the National Monument Two Lagoons (Monumento Nacional Dos Lagunas) are the observation and photographs of the wild fauna, mountain Cycling, Randonee and Trekking.
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Puerto Aysén
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The city of Puerto Aysén is located next to the river. Originally, it had an excellent fluvial port for ships of large dimensions. However, due to fires of the forest in the interior, originated by pilgrims that tried to fit out prairies for cattle, the rivers dragged enormous amounts of sediment that filled up the port. At the present time, it saturates only fishing ships and schooners.
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Cerro Castillo National Reserve
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Near Cerro Castillo National Reserve (Reserva Nacional Cerro Castillo), you arrive at a great glaciar valley with beautiful rocky penitents that seem statues. By its appearance of human profile it emphasizes the Stone of the Earl (Piedra del Conde).
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Miraflores #537. Santiago - Chile
Phone +(56-2) 633 76 00 - Fax +(56-2) 639 93 32