Villa O'Higgins
The end of the road, the edge of the world
About this destination
Villa O'Higgins sits at the end of Route 7, 1,240 km south of Puerto Montt, on the shore of Lago O'Higgins, one of the deepest lakes in the Americas. The village has no road connection further south, the only way to continue is by boat across the lake to Argentina, or by foot. This absolute remoteness is the entire point. Reaching Villa O'Higgins in a campervan is a genuine achievement, and the landscape surrounding it, the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, the O'Higgins Glacier and the mountains of the Andes rising from the water, is unlike anything else on earth.
Highlights
- O'Higgins Glacier
- Lago O'Higgins
- Southern Patagonian Ice Field
- End of Route 7 milestone
Must-see stops
O'Higgins Glacier
A boat trip from the village takes you to one of the most inaccessible glaciers in South America. The ice wall rising from the lake is 60 metres high and 4 km wide.
Lago O'Higgins
Shared with Argentina as Lago San Martín, this is one of the deepest lakes in the Americas. The milky turquoise colour comes from glacial flour carried by meltwater from the ice field above.
Route 7 Terminus Sign
The end-of-road marker at Villa O'Higgins is a quiet but profound moment for any overland traveller who has driven the full Carretera Austral. A photograph worth earning.
Sendero al Ventisquero
A hiking trail from the village to a viewpoint above the lake, with panoramic views of the glacier, the ice field and the Andes receding into the distance.
Combine with
These destinations pair well with Villa O'Higgins.
