An unforgettable road to Nevado del Tolima
Colombia, south-america
27.1 km
2,585 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, picture this: you're in Colombia, itching for a view of the majestic Nevado del Tolima volcano. Head north of Ibagué, into the heart of Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados, and get ready for an off-the-beaten-path experience!
The road, Vía al Nevado del Tolima, is about 27 kilometers (17 miles) of pure, unadulterated gravel fun. It's a bit rough, but most cars can handle it when it's dry. Just be warned: it's a seriously steep and narrow climb!
You'll wind your way up to about 2,585 meters (8,480 feet) above sea level, to a parking spot called El Silencio. From there, you're on your way to witnessing one of Colombia's most stunning volcanic landscapes. Trust me, the views are worth the bumpy ride!
Where is it?
An unforgettable road to Nevado del Tolima is located in Colombia (south-america). Coordinates: 3.7020, -74.6450
Road Details
- Country
- Colombia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 27.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,585 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 3.7020, -74.6450
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhere is Ruta del Año?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Get ready for Ruta Provincial 52 in western Argentina, near the Chilean border! Locals call it "Ruta del Año" – Route of the Year – and trust me, it lives up to the name. This baby throws 365 curves at you, and most are hairpin turns. You’ll find it snaking through the Las Heras department, nestled in the northwest corner of Mendoza Province. It’s about 93.7 km (58 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure from Uspallata to Mendoza. Now, here’s the thing: it's unpaved but generally doable in most cars. Just don't expect to break any speed records; you'll be lucky to hit 30 km/h. But trust me, you won't want to rush. The scenery is mind-blowing! However, maybe skip this one between July and October as it can get seriously dicey. This mountain road climbs to a lofty 2,960m (9,711ft), so be prepared for those high-altitude views! The road ultimately leads you to Villavicencio, a cool old resort spa north of Mendoza with thermal waters and garden paths. The resort is currently unused, but it adds character to your journey. If you can handle the twists and turns, this is one drive you won't soon forget.
hardLa Silla
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, buckle up stargazers, because the C-541 to La Silla Observatory in northern Chile is a trip you won't forget! Picture this: You're carving through the southern Atacama Desert, one of the most isolated *and* driest places on Earth. This isn’t your average Sunday drive! The road? All paved, thankfully, but hold on tight – it’s seriously steep! You'll be climbing to a whopping 2,400 meters (that's 7,900 feet!) above sea level. But trust me, the views are worth it. At the top, you'll find the La Silla Observatory, home to some seriously impressive telescopes. We're talking 14 optical telescopes with mirrors up to 3.6 meters across, plus a 15-meter radiotelescope! Prepare to feel small in the face of the universe.
hardWhere are Acantilados de Ocoña?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down the southern coast of Peru, provinces of Camaná and Caravelí, on the Pan-American Highway, but this isn't your average highway. This is the Acantilados de Ocoña – a 74.6-kilometer (46.35 miles) stretch of pure driving bliss and a little bit of a thrill! Imagine a road carved right into the side of dramatic cliffs, twisting and turning from Quilca to Ocoña. We're talking serious hairpin action as you climb and descend. The whole road is paved, so no need for a 4x4, but keep your eyes peeled! Now, I won't sugarcoat it: this route is known as one of the more challenging roads in Peru. In sections, you're hugging the cliff edge with a dizzying 200-meter (656ft) drop, without guardrails! But trust me, the reward is worth it. The panoramic ocean views are simply breathtaking. Expect some tunnels along the way. Just be mindful of the trucks, because landslides are also a potential hazard.
extremeCarretera Picada 108: Crossing the Wild Chaco to the Bolivian Border
🇧🇴 Bolivia
# Picada 108: Where the Chaco Swallows the Unprepared Deep in the heart of the Gran Chaco lies Picada 108—a raw, unforgiving 212-kilometer (131-mile) corridor that cuts through one of South America's most remote wilderness areas. This isn't your typical highway; it's a "picada," a narrow dirt track originally carved through dense scrubland for military or oil exploration, linking Mariscal Estigarribia in Paraguay all the way to the Bolivian border via Mayor Pablo Lagerenza. Welcome to the Northern Chaco: brutally hot, impossibly isolated, and absolutely relentless. The landscape is a maze of thorny scrubland where the horizon stretches endlessly and civilization feels like a distant memory. Temperatures regularly exceed 40°C, and the closest gas station? You left it hours ago. Here's where things get real: the road itself is pure gravel and talcal—fine dust that hides deep ruts and vicious rocks. During the dry season, visibility drops to nearly zero in a dust cloud. But rain? That's when Picada 108 transforms into a muddy nightmare. The clay-heavy soil becomes impassable quicksand, trapping even heavily equipped 4x4s for days. Creek crossings appear without warning, turning sections into temporary rivers that can force complete closures. Expect a full day of driving—minimum—at crawling speeds. There are zero amenities out here: no towns, no fuel, no repair shops. Every kilometer demands your full attention to avoid "guadales" (hidden pockets of deep mud and dust) that'll high-center your vehicle in seconds. This is expedition territory, not a casual road trip. Bring 400 kilometers worth of fuel, 20 liters of water per person, two full-size spares, a high-lift jack, and sand ladders. Your phone won't work; you'll need a satellite messenger. Never go alone—travel in at least two vehicles. Check the weather obsessively; if rain is forecast, don't even think about entering. And before you depart, notify the local police—this is border country, and you'll need your papers in perfect order. The Chaco doesn't forgive mistakes. Respect it, prepare thoroughly, and you'll experience one of the world's most extreme road journeys.