
Driving the Scenic Y-620 Road to Laguna Parrillar
Chile, south-america
21.7 km
1 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in the wilds of southern Chile, specifically the Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region, craving a little off-the-beaten-path adventure. I've got just the thing: Camino a Reserva Laguna Parrillar, or Y-620!
This isn't your typical smooth sailing. It's a 21.7 km (13.48 miles) dirt track that kicks off west of the paved Ruta 9, south of Punta Arenas, and winds its way east towards the stunning Laguna Parrillar. Think graded dirt, totally doable in most cars when it's dry.
Speaking of Laguna Parrillar, this place is unreal. Because of its altitude and crazy low temps, the lagoon turns into a winter wonderland, freezing solid with ice almost a foot thick! Snowdrifts can pile up to two feet deep. Seriously epic.
The Laguna Parrillar National Reserve is where the magic happens. Created to protect the lagoon's watershed (it's Punta Arenas' main water source!), this 18,414-hectare reserve is packed with killer scenery.
Along the way, you'll find seven marked rest stops. Perfect for a picnic, soaking in the views, or even casting a line for trout (October to March is your fishing window!). It’s pure Patagonian bliss.
Where is it?
Driving the Scenic Y-620 Road to Laguna Parrillar is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.3746, -74.0150
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 21.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 1 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -35.3746, -74.0150
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