The mythical Route 40

The longest and most spectacular road in Argentina. Along its almost 5000 kilometers, this road crosses four Argentine provinces, which make of this itinerary a unique and unrepeatable experience. Its 0 Km. starts at the southern extreme of the American continent, in the Cabo Vírgenes, Province of Santa Cruz running parallel to the Andean mountain range and reaching up to the Puna in Jujuy.

The national route 40, created in 1935 links from south to north eleven provinces of three regions of Argentina. Its Patagonian portion runs over 2,700 kilometers of which approximately half is gravel and the other half is asphalt road.

NEUQUÉN
The towns of Buta Ranquil and Barrancas in Neuquén are the first destinations of this stunning journey through the mythical Route 40. In Neuquén you can continue on route 231 by the north bank of the Nahuel Huapi lake up to Villa La Angostura, to access the Arrayanes National Park, named after the trees (myrtus) that stands out because of its cinammon bark and white flowers, or you can continue on Route 40 bordering the Limay river up to the city of Zapala, from where you can access the Primeros Pinos and Batea Mahuida winter resorts.

RIO NEGRO
When entering the province of Río Negro, the first destination is the city of San Carlos de Bariloche by the Nahuel Huapi Lake. Situated 20 kms from there is the Catedral skiing center. The history of the Argentine national parks was born in the Nahual Huapi National Park created in 1934. Continuing the journey down south you will find the town of El Bolsón, at the foot of the Piltriquitrón mount and close to the Perito Moreno hill.

CHUBUT
Once you arrive at the province of Chubut it is possible to drive to El Maitén or take the current Route 40 to the localities of Lago Puelo, El Hoyo and Epuyen. Driving by the town of Cholila you arrive at the Los Alerces National Park, which owes its name to the alerce or lahuán trees [Fitzroya cupressoides]. Other attraction that Chubut offers is the La Hoya winter sports center, near the cities of Esquel and Trevelín. Both, at Esquel and Maitén you can board the tourist train “La Trochita”, also known as ‘The Old Patagonian Express'.

SANTA CRUZ
In the province of Santa Cruz , you can access the localities of Perito Moreno and Los Antiguos, this latter situated by the south branch of the Buenos Aires Lake. Between the Perito Moreno town and the National Park of the same name you will find the second place declared World Heritage: the Cueva de las Manos [Cave of the Hands]. Situated at the Pinturas River, its walls bears 10000-year-old naturalistic and abstract paintings made by the Tehuelches, who inhabited a large portion of Patagonia.

The Posadas, San Martín, Argentino and Viedma Lakes and most of the large lakes are formed by the ice masses during last glaciations that ended 10000 years ago.

Following south, you will reach El Chaltén, a town created in the '1980 and service center for Los Glaciares National Park. Further on the same road, you will arrive at El Calafate, with its main attraction, the Perito Moreno Glacier, situated 110 Km from National Route 40, site declared World Heritage by the UNESCO.

The frontier towns 28 de Noviembre and Río Turbio are crossed by this route and take you to the Vandelen winter sports center to the north. Between Río Turbio and Río Gallegos the 40 route crosses many times the railway of the narrow gauge train that started to run in 1951 and up to this date transports the coal production up to Punta Loyola port, which makes it the southernmost commercial railway in the world.