The Farellones road, route G-21 in Lo Barnechea, has restricted traffic this Tuesday, October 20, 2026, and until 06:00 on Wednesday, October 21. The measure was issued by the Santiago Metropolitan Region's transport authority (Seremi de Transportes) under Exempt Resolution No. 5921, at the request of the Lo Barnechea municipality, because of the avalanche and mudslide risk brought by the weather front and the Red Alert that Senapred declared in ten Santiago municipalities, as reported by Canal 9 and BioBioChile on Monday the 19th.
If you were planning to head up for snow, viewpoints or lunch in the Andes, the message is simple: today is not a day for the Farellones road. Hours may change depending on the weather, and the Carabineros police are in charge of enforcement.
Farellones road closure hours
| Section | From | Until | What is allowed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Route G-21 (Farellones road) | Tuesday 20, 11:00 | Tuesday 20, 15:00 | Only residents between km 0 and bend 1, and vehicles coming down |
| Route G-21, between bends 1 and 40 | Tuesday 20, 15:00 | Wednesday 21, 06:00 | Only exempt vehicles |
| Route G-251, entire road | Tuesday 20, 15:00 | Wednesday 21, 06:00 | Only exempt vehicles |
Source: Exempt Resolution No. 5921 of the Santiago transport authority, as reported by Canal 9 and BioBioChile (October 19, 2026). Authorities may adjust the hours depending on weather and traffic conditions.
- Exempt vehicles: emergency vehicles, Ministry of Public Works crews doing maintenance and clearing, and Lo Barnechea municipal vehicles.
- Who enforces it: Carabineros, at the access to the road.
- Why: rain forecast in the mountains, avalanche and mudslide risk, and Senapred's Red Alert.
The red alert behind the closure
On Sunday, October 18, Senapred upgraded the alert from yellow to red for ten municipalities of the Santiago Metropolitan Region because of mudslide risk: San José de Maipo, Puente Alto, Pirque, La Florida, Peñalolén, La Reina, Las Condes, Lo Barnechea, Vitacura and Colina, according to T13. The rest of the region remains under Yellow Alert.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Most intense day | Tuesday, October 20, from the afternoon into the night |
| Expected rain in Santiago | 20 to 35 mm on Tuesday, according to the Chilean Weather Service warning |
| Municipalities on Red Alert | 10 in the foothills and eastern Santiago |
| Schools | Classes suspended on Tuesday 20 in those ten municipalities |
| Santiago Fire Department | Preventive stand-by from 18:00 on Monday 19 |
Sources: BioBioChile and T13, October 19, 2026. Interior Minister Claudio Alvarado said the system could bring showers, thunderstorms, wind, hail and snow to ten regions, and described the situation as “a complex condition”.
Santiago's foothills already had a mudslide on October 8 in San Carlos de Apoquindo, Las Condes, and that area is one of three safety perimeters set up to keep people away from risk zones, according to BioBioChile. The overall picture of this week's rain is in our story on the October 19-20 weather front.
What the Farellones road closure means for the ski resorts
Route G-21 is the access road to Farellones and, from there, to El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. The resolution does not name any ski resort, but while the restriction is in force you cannot drive up in a private car or a transfer. Valle Nevado had announced it would keep slopes open until November 8, as we reported here; to know whether it operates on Wednesday 21, check its official channels before leaving.
What to do if you had plans in the mountains
- Move your trip: the restriction ends at 06:00 on Wednesday 21 unless extended. Before driving up, check the road status on the channels of Carabineros, the Lo Barnechea municipality and Santiago's traffic control unit.
- Do not try to get around the checkpoint: alternative foothill roads are in the same alert zone.
- Cajón del Maipo: San José de Maipo and Pirque are also on Red Alert. If your plan was the Cajón del Maipo, it is best to postpone it until the alert is lowered.
- Indoor plans: Santiago has museums, markets and neighborhoods for a rainy day; ideas in our guide to things to do in Santiago.
- Bookings: if you booked a tour or transfer, ask about changing the date; the restriction is an official measure.
This story will be updated if the transport authority changes the hours or extends the measure.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Farellones road closed today?
Yes, with restrictions. On Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the G-21 is closed from 11:00 to 15:00 except for residents of the first section and vehicles coming down, and from 15:00 until 06:00 on Wednesday 21 it is closed between bends 1 and 40, together with the whole G-251.
Why was the Farellones road closed?
Because of the avalanche and mudslide risk brought by the weather front, and Senapred's Red Alert in Lo Barnechea and nine other municipalities.
Who can go through?
Emergency vehicles, Public Works crews clearing and maintaining the road, and Lo Barnechea municipal vehicles.
