{"id":8354,"date":"2019-10-07T17:45:09","date_gmt":"2019-10-07T20:45:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/patagonia.gob.ar\/wp2025\/actividades\/ruta-40\/"},"modified":"2025-09-05T09:12:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T12:12:27","slug":"route-40","status":"publish","type":"actividades","link":"https:\/\/patagonia.gob.ar\/en\/actividades\/route-40\/","title":{"rendered":"Route 40"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

The iconic Route 40 \u2014 with more than 5,000 km long and running parallel to the Andes Mountain Range \u2014 has its kilometer 0 at Cape V\u00edrgenes, 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 \u201cRoute 40\u201d 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 \u201cTorre,\u201d 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Route 40 begins in the far south of Argentina, at Cape V\u00edrgenes, Province of Santa Cruz. From there, the route continues until it meets National Route 3, which leads to R\u00edo Gallegos. The next section of Route 40 extends from the provincial capital into the interior for 261 km to R\u00edo 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 Chalt\u00e9n. 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 \u201cCueva de las Manos\u201d (a World Cultural Heritage Site).<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Entering the Province of Chubut, parallel roads invite you to cross the \u201cTorrecillas\u201d Glacier and \u201cCerro La Torta,\u201d before reaching Esquel. With a sidelong glance at the rails of \u201cLa Trochita,\u201d the road ascends to the towns of 42nd Parallel Shire, passing through Epuy\u00e9n, El Hoyo, and Lake Puelo, until reaching El Bols\u00f3n, in the province of R\u00edo 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 Neuqu\u00e9n and passes through beautiful landscapes, national parks, lake landscapes, and towns such as Villa la Angostura and San Mart\u00edn de los Andes, connected by the famous scenic route \u201cRoad of the Seven Lakes,\u201d before reaching the town of Jun\u00edn de los Andes. It then enters the rugged, uneven central region of Neuqu\u00e9n, arid and rugged, with plateaus, until reaching Zapala. This area also provides access to \u201cLaguna Blanca\u201d National Park and the land of the araucaria trees: Alumin\u00e9 and Villa Pehuenia.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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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:<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n