Hiking the Altavista Trail in Villa O'Higgins, Chile
Here's a guide to the Altavista Trail (Sendero Altavista), a great hike in the Chilean Patagonia just outside Villa O'Higgins at the end of the Carretera Austral.
Altavista Trail is one of the best hikes in Villa O'Higgins. It's relatively easy, and the views of the Aysen region's scenery are hard to describe.
Even the photos won't do this breathtaking spectacle justice.
And while you can find more hikes in the village's surroundings, we believe that Altavista Trail stands above them all, especially if you are looking for a one-day hike.
Villa O'Higgins is the last settlement on the Carretera Austral, and reaching it is a perfect way to finish this road trip, at least in this country.
The feeling of being so far from large cities is quite overwhelming here, and we were really glad we decided to include it on our Patagonia itinerary.
And hiking is the best way to explore this remote place.
Unlike the famous hikes near the El Chalten on the Argentinian side we did next, such as Laguna Torre or Laguna de Los Tres, we barely met a single soul here.
So if you are looking for a great Patagonian adventure, then Altavista Trail will deliver this type of experience.
How to Get to the Altavista Trail Trailhead
A big upside of this hike lies in its accessibility which is great for travelers without their own transport. Altavista Trail trailhead is located about 3.5 kilometers southwest of Villa O'Higgins.
Unlike some other places you might have visited on this scenic route, such as Queulat National Park or Pumalin National Park, you can get to the trailhead on foot.
We decided to walk from the village of Villa O'Higgins to the trail's starting point.
As it's flat, we tackled those three and a half kilometers in about 40 minutes. Without stopping to take some photos, you could get there even more quickly.
You can also take the bus that goes to the ferry terminal, but it costs some money, and this option limits your flexibility as the bus departs at exact times.
It's more convenient, but not necessary.
Lastly, you can try hitchhiking, but the distance between the village and the trailhead is not something you shouldn't be able to cover on your own.
While we have to admit that the walk along the unpaved Carretera Austal is not that exciting, it's not exactly boring. Yes, the terrain profile here is a bit dull.
But the views of the local farmsteads, grazing horses, and mountains in the backdrop make a beautiful combination.
And this walk will definitely make you think what life here in these harsh conditions must be like.
While contemplating the hardships of local people, you will soon arrive at the metal and concrete bridge (Puente Augusto Grosse 1) over the Mayer River.
Try not to get too carried away by the views, as right after you cross it, the trailhead starts on your right.
Altavista Trail leads through private property, and a wooden fence with a small gate marks the starting point.
Entrance Fee
There is no entrance fee to Altavista Trail, and the trail is open for hikers.
However, we would still recommend you stop at the Robinson Crusoe office to find the most up-to-date information about the trail status, as these things can change.
Similarly, as in Laguna Cerro Castillo, you can't predict the current situation, especially when it comes to weather.
Hiking the Altavista Trail
Altavista Trail is an in-and-out path that has three noteworthy points making the orientation far easier.
Mirador Glaciares Mosco y Huemul, Mirador Laguna El Loco, and Mirador Laguna El Toro (mirador means a viewpoint in English).
You will start at a lightly forested area by the Mayer River and gradually begin to gain elevation.
The first section of the path offers limited views, but that will start to change quickly. The further you go, the better the views will be.
Mirador Glaciares Mosco y Huemul
The first proper view is at Mirador Glaciares Mosco y Huemul.
The Mosco and Huemul glaciers will be behind you, on the opposite side of the valley. If you have more time in Villa O'Higgins, then you can also hike along the Mosco River to get closer to the glacier.
You will also get from here amazing views of the Rio Mayer zig-zagging through the valley.
Mirador Laguna El Loco
Then continue to Mirador Laguna El Loco.
More views of the valley and Lago Ciervo open up. In the distance, you can see Lago Cisnes, which you already know, as the Ruta 7 leads around it.
If you've brought binoculars or a telephoto lens, you can actually see some parts of it.
On the right (or behind you), you will get the chance to see a hidden lake in the forest.
Mirador Laguna El Toro
We believe it's definitely worth it to hike all the way to the third viewpoint, Mirador Laguna El Toro, as you have the hardest part behind you.
The trail was clearly visible to this point and hard to miss. Just make sure to stay on the trail for your safety.
Here we had our lunch while enjoying the views.
Mirador Lago Negro
If you still have not enough of the views, you can actually hike even further to another viewpoint called Mirador Lago Negro, and the trail ends somewhere near Rio Negro.
But you would have to descend to the river and then climb back. This optional mirador offers not that great views, and you won't miss much if you skip it.
Additionally, there is an option to hike to Cerro Altavista, but the trail is unmarked and requires backcountry skills and experience.
Regardless of your choice, now it's time to retrace your steps via the same trail and head out back to the village.
One more tip. The trail is on Maps.me, so you might want to download this app (it works offline) if you don't use it yet.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
Length and Elevation
To make it easier to compare, we list the trail's length and elevation gain to all three miradors from the trailhead.
So you can decide how many kilometers you want actually hike.
The first part of the trail that leads to Mirador Glaciares Mosco y Huemul is 2.3 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 150 meters.
The trail to the second viewpoint, Mirador Laguna El Loco, is 4 kilometers with an elevation gain of fewer than 300 meters.
The third viewpoint, known as Mirador Laguna El Toro, is 5.5 kilometers with an elevation gain of 400 meters.
As you can see, this is not a demanding hike. But for us, it was one of the best hikes in Patagonia we did.
So when hiking to the last mirador on Altavista Trail from Villa O'Higgins, you are looking into an 18-kilometer hike that requires about 5 hours of your time.
When to Go
We would also pay attention to the weather. The weather in Villa O'Higgins is unpredictable.
Normally, we would start the hike as early as possible, but it was still raining in the morning (it rained heavily the day before).
So we waited a few hours before the rain ceased. It was also pretty windy, so this hike was recommended to us to avoid strong wind gusts.
Before you go, read our blog post on when to visit Patagonia to find more information on this topic.
If you are wondering how far you should go, then it mostly depends on the actual weather. Obviously, the trail is great on a clear/partly cloudy day.
When the rain, together with low clouds, blocks the views, it really depends on your determination.
What to Pack
Some parts of the trail can be muddy, so wear proper hiking boots. Always bring a good windproof rain jacket (or rain poncho).
Even in the summer, it was cold and windy here, so some warm layers come in handy.
And don't forget to read our post on what to pack for Patagonia.
If you have trekking poles, don't leave them in your hotel room, they will come in handy here.
Lastly, make sure to pack a snack or lunch and stay hydrated throughout the day.
Puerto Bahamondes
By the way, if you are not crossing borders from Chile to Argentina here, we would still recommend you to visit the official end of Route 7.
While this detour is highly optional, it makes a perfect ending to your trip. After 1247 kilometers from Puerto Montt, a wooden sign at Puerto Bahamondes marks Fin de la Carretera Austral.
If you continue via the ferry from here as we did, then the bus drops your off at this place the following day.
The ferry port is roughly 7.5 kilometers from Villa O'Higgins (or another 4 kilometers from the Altavista Trail's trailhead), so it's much easier to get there by rental car.
Where to Stay
We were staying in one of the guesthouses directly in Villa O'Higgins. There are also a few campgrounds in Villa O'Higgins for those who prefer the camping experience.
Obviously, you won't find many accommodations there, but it's quite okay as not many tourists stay here.
Here's a list of the best accommodation options in the last village on the Carretera Austral.
Budget | Ruedas de la Patagonia - Basic but clean cabin offers WiFi, kitchen, and private bathroom. It is small thus often booked up long in advance.
Mid-range | Puesto Canogas Hostel - Featuring free breakfast, this accommodation has everything to provide its guests with an authentic, almost abandoned feel.
Luxury | Robinson Crusoe Deep Patagonia Lodge - By far the most comfortable and luxurious option where you can stay in Villa O'Higgins. The staff is helpful, rooms are bright and quiet with private bathrooms.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
