A wild road to Cerro Rico, the silver mountain that eats men
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
4,760 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Cerro Rico, the "Rich Mountain" of Bolivia! This iconic, cone-shaped peak, also called Cerro Potosí, sits way up high in the Andes, clocking in at a staggering 15,616 feet above sea level.
Okay, a bit of history: this mountain is legendary for its massive silver deposits that fueled the Spanish Empire back in the day. Imagine, the world's largest industrial complex in the 16th century! Today, it's still mined for zinc, tin, tungsten, lead, copper, and even a little silver.
Now, getting to the top is where the adventure really kicks in. The road is completely unpaved, twisting and turning with hairpin turns that will test your driving skills. And hold on tight, because some sections are incredibly steep, with gradients reaching a maximum of 15%! Be warned, though, this road isn't for the faint of heart. Due to extensive mining over centuries, the mountain is unstable and riddled with tunnels, making it a potentially hazardous climb. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Just keep your eyes on the road – you'll need them!
Where is it?
A wild road to Cerro Rico, the silver mountain that eats men is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -17.2088, -63.6606
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,760 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -17.2088, -63.6606
Related Roads in south-america
hardRoad CA-109 (Bambamarca-Celendín)
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up for CA-109 in northern Peru – it's a wild one! This 109 km stretch between Bambamarca and Celendín in the Cajamarca region is definitely not for the faint of heart (or weak stomachs!). Seriously, if you get carsick easily, maybe skip this one. Trust me, you don't want to overeat before tackling this road. We're talking serious hairpin turns here – like, hundreds of them. Even seasoned drivers will be kept on their toes. The road's gravel surface and narrow passages demand constant attention, and with those dramatic drop-offs, you really need to focus. But hey, you're driving in the Andes Mountains! This route climbs to a lung-busting 3,755 meters (over 12,000 feet!), so the views are absolutely incredible... assuming you dare to take your eyes off the road for a second! Just remember, CA-109 is a humbling experience, so leave the ego at home and drive carefully.
hardHow to Drive Across the High Desert of Siloli?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, picture this: southwest Bolivia, near Chile, way up in the Andes. We're talking serious altitude – almost 15,000 feet! This is the Desierto de Siloli, and getting here is an adventure in itself. Think off-road heaven (or hell, depending on your perspective!), a total South American highlight reel. We're smack-dab in Sud Lípez Province, surrounded by volcanoes, weird wind-carved rock formations, and endless plains. Laguna Colorada and Laguna Verde? Neighbors. Pavement? Forget about it. The "road" is more like a network of tracks cutting through sand, dodging volcanic ridges, and snaking around crazy rock formations. You'll absolutely need a high-clearance 4x4 to handle the soft ground, the bumps, and that pesky altitude. Also, pro-tip: zero services out here, so pack accordingly. Most folks jump on a guided 4x4 tour leaving from Uyuni or San Pedro de Atacama. From Uyuni, it's a couple days south, cruising past the Uyuni Salt Flats and those crazy colored lagoons. From San Pedro, it's your first day's adventure after crossing the border. Either way, get ready for wide-open desert, salt flats, and seriously high mountain passes. Highlight reel? The "Stone Tree" (Árbol de Piedra) – a rock formation shaped by wind that looks like, well, a tree made of stone. Volcanoes everywhere, many sporting colorful slopes. Epic desert vistas. Plenty of chances to hop out and scramble around on the rocks for even better views. Heads up: altitude is no joke here. Limited oxygen, scorching sun. Be prepared for altitude sickness, and bring sunscreen! The real danger is the combo of high altitude and isolation. The driving itself isn't super technical, but the lack of services and emergency help means you gotta be prepared. Weather can turn on a dime – think sudden strong winds or freezing temps. A breakdown out here could mean a long wait with no help nearby.
extremeWhere is Christ the Redeemer of the Andes?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: high in the Andes, right on the border between Argentina and Chile, sits the Cristo Redentor de los Andes – a massive, 4-ton statue at a staggering 12,572 feet! This spot, near the Paso Internacional de los Libertadores, used to be *the* way to get between the two countries, until a tunnel came along in 1980. We're talking about the highest point on the old road connecting Mendoza, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile. Now, getting there isn't a walk in the park. This 10.6-mile stretch, known as E-773 on the Chilean side and RN A006 on the Argentinian, is unpaved on both sides and only open in the summer because winter brings heavy snow and temps that can plummet to -30°C. Even in summer, snow and rockfalls can close it down at any time! The drive? Think 65 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 15%. It connects Las Cuevas in Argentina with Parada Caracoles in Chile. Expect about 50 minutes to drive it straight through. It's challenging, for sure, with those curves, steep climbs, and dangerous drop-offs. There aren't many guardrails, but it's become a popular tourist route. And the history? The Cristo Redentor was erected way back in 1904 to celebrate peace between Argentina and Chile after a border dispute. It's one of the highest monuments on Earth and a symbol of harmony between the two nations. The views are unreal!
extremeLaguna Lulicocha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're headed to Laguna Lulicocha, a stunning alpine lake nestled way up in the Peruvian Andes, in the province of Pasco. We're talking a lung-busting 4,285 meters (that's 14,058 feet!) above sea level. The road to get there? It's called PA-106, and let's just say it's not for the faint of heart (or your brand-new car!). Seriously, think twice before attempting this one in anything but a sturdy 4x4. You'll be navigating some seriously rough terrain. Expect a narrow, winding path with several unlit tunnels thrown in for good measure. Keep your eyes peeled, because this area is prone to avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides, not to mention the sneaky patches of ice that can appear out of nowhere. The climb is brutal, and the air gets thin, really thin. Most folks start feeling the altitude around 2,500-2,800 meters, so be prepared. By the time you reach the top, oxygen is definitely at a premium! But trust me, the incredible scenery and the feeling of accomplishment are totally worth it.