At first the country consisted of a succession of hills and valleys: nearer to Castro it became very level.

The road itself is a curious affair; it consists in its whole length, with the exception of very few parts, of great logs of wood, which are either broad and laid longitudinally, or narrow and placed transversely.

In summer the road is not very bad: but in winter, when the wood is rendered slippery from rain, travelling is exceedingly difficult.

At that time of the year, the ground on each side becomes a morass, and is often overflowed: hence it is necessary that the longitudinal logs should be fastened down by transverse poles, which are pegged on each side into the earth.
These pegs render a fall from a horse dangerous, as the chance of alighting on one of them is not small.

It is remarkable, however, how active custom has made the Chilotan horses.