Route 40

The iconic Route 40 — with more than 5,000 km long and running parallel to the Andes Mountain Range — has its kilometer 0 at Cape Vírgenes, the southernmost point of continental Argentine Patagonia and the gateway to the Strait of Magellan. Here begins a fascinating journey for any true traveler. The first stretch of “Route 40” crosses Santa Cruz and the immensity of the Patagonian landscape: endless windswept steppes that stretch as far as the eye can see. Deep green lakes, guanacos, and choiques line the road. And, on clear days, the orange columns of “Torre,” Fitz Roy, and San Lorenzo hills emerge from the clouds and shine in the sun. Make sure to stop along the way, leave the steppe behind, and enter the great national parks of the Andes Mountain Range to see the traces of the first inhabitants of these lands and discover enormous lakes and glaciers. Along the way, the route plunges into the immense solitude of Patagonia. The desolate beauty of the arid steppe captivates the imagination and inspires a contemplative mood.

Route 40 begins in the far south of Argentina, at Cape Vírgenes, Province of Santa Cruz. From there, the route continues until it meets National Route 3, which leads to Río Gallegos. The next section of Route 40 extends from the provincial capital into the interior for 261 km to Río Turbio, in the Andes Mountain Range. From here, the route continues toward Tres Lagos, passing through Provincial Routes 11 and 23, the entrances to the tourist towns of El Calafate and El Chaltén. From Tres Lagos, the road moves away from the Andes Mountain Range, passing through Gobernador Gregores until it reaches the locality of Perito Moreno. After that, the route is made of gravel for over 250 km; then, it continues on paved roads for about 200 km. This section connects, via their respective entrance routes, to Perito Moreno National Park and “Cueva de las Manos” (a World Cultural Heritage Site).

Entering the Province of Chubut, parallel roads invite you to cross the “Torrecillas” Glacier and “Cerro La Torta,” before reaching Esquel. With a sidelong glance at the rails of “La Trochita,” the road ascends to the towns of 42nd Parallel Shire, passing through Epuyén, El Hoyo, and Lake Puelo, until reaching El Bolsón, in the province of Río Negro. The route then heads to the city of Bariloche, Patagonia’s largest service center, to explore unique natural sites. Continuing north, it reaches the province of Neuquén and passes through beautiful landscapes, national parks, lake landscapes, and towns such as Villa la Angostura and San Martín de los Andes, connected by the famous scenic route “Road of the Seven Lakes,” before reaching the town of Junín de los Andes. It then enters the rugged, uneven central region of Neuquén, arid and rugged, with plateaus, until reaching Zapala. This area also provides access to “Laguna Blanca” National Park and the land of the araucaria trees: Aluminé and Villa Pehuenia.

IMPORTANT: For this type of activity, it is essential to have adequate maps or a GPS system. There are fuel stations and tourist services on longer routes, but it is recommended to check in advance as there may be temporary shortages due to weather conditions. In winter, snow and ice may be present on the road; proper precautions should be taken when driving. In Patagonia, the route is in good condition and is generally paved and signposted, although there are still gravel sections in the Province of Santa Cruz, namely:

• 73 km between Gob. Gregores and Tres Lagos
• 210 km between Río Turbio and Río Gallegos
• 96 km between Río Gallegos and Cabo Vírgenes