A memorable road trip to Acumulacion Mariela Mine

A memorable road trip to Acumulacion Mariela Mine

Peru, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

5,298 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Mina Acumulación Mariela is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 5,298m (17,381ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Puno and Moquegua regions of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Set high in the southern part of the country, in the Andes Mountains, Mina Acumulación Mariela is a gold mine. At this elevation, it’s one of the 10 highest mines in the world.

The road to the mine is entirely unpaved. It’s a mining trail that starts from the paved 36B Road (Interoceanica Sur). The climb is extremely challenging, with a notorious lack of oxygen that tests the body, combined with a high degree of steepness. Expect harsh weather, extreme solar radiation, very high winds, and low temperatures.Pic: Luis Alberto Bernabe Quispe

Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world

Drive Us to Your Road!

With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Where is it?

A memorable road trip to Acumulacion Mariela Mine is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.1111, -74.1638

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
5,298 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-9.1111, -74.1638

Related Roads in south-america

How To Plan Your Trip to Machu Picchu by Trainmoderate

How To Plan Your Trip to Machu Picchu by Train

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Million Dollar Highway in Colorado, and let me tell you, the name isn't just hype. This baby stretches for about 25 miles through the San Juan Mountains, connecting Ouray and Silverton. The road climbs to over 11,000 feet, so be prepared for some serious altitude! But the real kicker? It's carved into the side of a mountain, and in some spots, there are absolutely no guardrails. That's right, just you, the road, and a seriously steep drop-off. Now, if you're scared of heights, this might not be your cup of tea. Also, keep an eye out for sharp hairpin turns and the occasional rockslide, especially after bad weather. But if you're up for it, the views are absolutely breathtaking. Think towering peaks, lush forests, and maybe even a glimpse of some wildlife. It's a total sensory overload of natural beauty. Just remember to drive carefully, and maybe bring a friend to help you spot those hazards!

Huahum Passhard

Huahum Pass

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventure awaits at Paso Huahum! This international mountain pass sits pretty high in the Andes, about 2,051 feet up, marking the border between Chile and Argentina. It's one of the lower passes around, making it a bit more accessible. You'll find it connecting San Martín de los Andes in Argentina with Panguipulli in Chile. On the Chilean side, you're on Ruta CH-203, while Argentina calls it Ruta Provincial 48. Word of warning: both are gravel roads. Expect it to be unpaved, rocky, and steep on the Chilean side, but a bit more graded in Argentina. You can manage it in a 2WD with decent clearance if you take it slow and steady, especially on those long, dry stretches. Keep an eye out for washboarding, ruts, and dips! Now for the really cool part: the Chilean side involves a ferry ride across Lake Pirihueico! The Hua Hum ferry is your ticket, running daily between Puerto Fuy and Puerto Pirihueico, clocking in at around 1.5 hours. This pass is a key route from Chile's Los Ríos Region into Argentina's Neuquén Province, and the best part? It stays open year-round – no snow closures here! The scenery is absolutely worth the trek!

Where does Road BR-116 start and end?extreme

Where does Road BR-116 start and end?

🇧🇷 Brazil

BR-116 is a massive coastal highway in Brazil, stretching a whopping 4,385 kilometers (2,725 miles) from Fortaleza in the north (Ceará State) all the way down to Jaguarão near the Uruguay border (Rio Grande do Sul). It's a major artery, known for being super busy with truckers. Now, this road has earned the grim nickname "Highway of Death" for a reason. Unstable weather patterns contribute to a high accident rate, making it a nerve-wracking drive. Think about it: you've got tons of big rigs, often driven by overworked truckers, combined with unpredictable terrain. The Sao Paulo-Curitiba section is particularly notorious. Parts of the BR-116 are paved, but other sections? Not so much. Some stretches cling to the edges of steep cliffs, demanding your full attention. Speaking of attention, you’ll need 100% concentration to navigate this route.

Driving the international border road to Socompa Pass in the Andesextreme

Driving the international border road to Socompa Pass in the Andes

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Paso Socompa is calling your name – a seriously epic international mountain pass straddling the border between Argentina and Chile. We're talking way up there, at almost 13,000 feet! Tucked into the majestic Andes, this route connects the Antofagasta Region in Chile with Salta province in Argentina. Think of it as one of the *least* traveled high-altitude routes between these two countries, so you're basically guaranteed bragging rights. And get this, the pass is named after the Socompa volcano, a 20,000-foot behemoth looming nearby. Now, let's talk about the road itself. It's unpaved – and I mean *seriously* unpaved – so you'll need a proper off-road vehicle to tackle this beast. It goes by B-55 on the Chilean side and Ruta Provincial 163 once you cross into Argentina. This drive is REMOTE. The rough terrain, the lack of water, the scorching desert heat…it all adds up to one seriously challenging adventure. Even the Dakar Rally has used this pass! Keep your eyes peeled for the abandoned train station at the summit. Be prepared for some extreme conditions. The air is super dry, and the temperature swings are wild – blazing hot during the day and freezing cold at night. **Important Note:** Stick to the marked roads. This area has a history, and there are minefields along the border from the 70s. They're usually marked, but trust me, you don't want to stray. Only cross the border at official checkpoints, and always chat with local officials about potential hazards.