Cerro Chajnantor, an awe-inspiring route in the Atacama desert
Chile, south-america
13.86 km
5,635 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Chile's Atacama Desert awaits Cerro Chajnantor, clocking in at a staggering 18,487 feet. We're talking serious altitude here, making it one of South America's highest roads!
Forget smooth asphalt; this is a raw, unpaved challenge best tackled with a 4x4 beast. The landscape is seriously otherworldly, but also seriously dry and unforgiving. The prize? A 20-foot telescope perched at the summit, making it the highest astronomical site on the planet!
Built back in '06, this climb isn't for the faint of heart (literally!). If you've got respiratory issues or heart problems, sit this one out. The air is THIN, and the road is STEEP. Seriously, most people start feeling the effects of altitude sickness way before you even get close to the top. Expect your engine to struggle too!
The paved road is your starting point for this 8.6-mile ascent. The climb gains a whopping 2,769 feet, averaging a 6% gradient. Brace yourself for an unforgettable ride — and maybe bring some oxygen!
Where is it?
Cerro Chajnantor, an awe-inspiring route in the Atacama desert is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -38.8017, -69.7736
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 13.86 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,635 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -38.8017, -69.7736
Related Roads in south-america
extremeLa Pampa-Sihuas (Road 12A)
🇵🇪 Peru
Daredevils, listen up! Deep in central Peru, snaking through the magnificent Huascarán National Park, lies Carretera 12A – a gravel track that's more rollercoaster than road. Forget guardrails; you're playing chicken with gravity here, with sheer drops of hundreds of meters just inches from your tires. Vertigo sufferers, seriously, sit this one out. This epic 91.5 km route connects Sihuas (at a cool 2,725m above sea level) to La Pampa (dipping down to 1,796m), and it's a wild ride. Prepare for hairpin after hairpin as you climb to a dizzying 4,200m. It’s a true test of skill and nerves, and you’ll be sharing the road with lumbering log trucks, so stay sharp! The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Think mind-blowing mountain vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. But don't get too distracted – this narrow, exposed trail demands respect. Landslides and avalanches are a real threat, and one wrong move sends you tumbling. Oh, and a windy day? Hard pass. If you crave adventure and have nerves of steel, your wheels will be treated to views unlike anything else on Earth! Just be sure you know how to reverse.
hardDon’t glance down at your phone on the road to Punta Ushuayca
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up adventure junkies, because Punta Ushuayca in Peru is about to blow your mind! We're talking a sky-high mountain pass chilling at 4,930m (that's 16,174ft!) in the Lima Region. Picture this: you're deep in the Andes, cruising through the Nor Yauyos-Cochas landscape reserve. Now, heads up, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The LM-120 road to the top is all dirt and gets seriously steep! A little rain turns it into a real challenge. You *can* technically make it in a regular car, but trust me, you'll be way happier (and safer) in a 4x4. This north-south route stretches for a whopping 140 km (87 miles) from San Mateo to Tinco. Get ready for some epic views! Just keep your eyes peeled and your hands on the wheel.
extremePuente Mal Paso: The Historic Icon of the Escoipe Gorge
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Northwest Argentina, Salta province to be exact, and BAM! You hit Puente Mal Paso, a seriously cool historic bridge. Think of it as the ultimate entrance to the legendary RP33, the road that winds its way up to Cuesta del Obispo and the dreamy Calchaquí Valleys. Trust me, this bridge is epic. Nestled in the Quebrada de Escoipe, this bridge is surrounded by dramatic reddish rock formations. It's located on Provincial Route 33 (RP33). While the fancy new road now swooshes right next to it, the original bridge is still standing proud, ready for its close-up. "Mal Paso" literally means "Bad Pass", and back in the day, it lived up to its name. Imagine horse-drawn carriages and mule teams trying to navigate this narrow gorge – river crossings were a nightmare, and the steep terrain made it super treacherous. These days, you won't actually drive *over* the old Puente Mal Paso when you're heading from Salta to Cachi. They built a wider road right alongside it for safety and smoother traffic. But the old bridge? Total photo op. The rugged structure against those red mountains? Insta-gold. Even though the modern road bypasses the bridge itself, the drive through the gorge is still a bit of an adventure. The road is paved, but it's narrow, with towering cliffs on one side and the Escoipe River on the other. And watch out during the summer months (December to March) – flash floods can still make "Mal Paso" live up to its reputation.
extremeNevado Huayracancha: Driving to 5,045m through the Peruvian mining heartland
🇵🇪 Peru
Buckle up for Nevado Huayracancha, one of Peru's most epic (and challenging!) high-altitude routes. Straddling the Lima and Junin border, this crazy road climbs to a lung-busting 5,045m (16,551ft)! This 28.7 km (17.83 mile) stretch slices through the heart of the Andes, connecting the mining hub of Casapalca with Victoria. Get ready for views of stunning high-altitude lagoons like Pumatared and Pumacocha, all framed by jagged, glacier-topped peaks and mineral-rich mountains. Seriously, the scenery is mind-blowing! The road itself is a mix of gravel and dirt, so while most cars *can* technically manage in good weather, it’s not always a smooth ride. Watch out for massive mining trucks and buses—they practically own the road and don’t leave much room! Rain or snow can quickly turn the surface into a rutted mess, so ground clearance is your friend here. The altitude is the real beast. At over 5,000 meters, your engine will feel sluggish (expect about half the power!), and altitude sickness (soroche) is a serious risk. Take it slow, be acclimatized, and be prepared for steep sections where momentum is key, especially when you meet those trucks on tight corners. Oh, and the weather? Totally unpredictable. Even in summer, snowstorms can roll in, turning the track into a slippery nightmare. High winds are the norm, and temperatures can plummet below freezing in a heartbeat. This road closes frequently due to snow, so check the forecast and pack emergency supplies, including extra fuel and maybe some oxygen. It's an adventure you won't forget!