Highest roads of Bolivia
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Bolivia, a South American giant the size of California and Texas put together, is a land of extremes! Think Himalayas-level mountains but smack-dab in the Andes. This country's got it all: sky-high peaks, the desolate Altiplano plateau, and crazy-steep, humid valleys. If you're a driver seeking adventure, you're in the right place.
Prepare for some seriously high-altitude driving, with roads that hug cliff faces and hairpin turns that will make your jaw drop. You'll find some of the highest, most remote, and utterly breathtaking mountain passes you could ever imagine on this continent.
Some top contenders for epic drives include the Portezuelo Sairécabur, the road to Minas San Pablo Lipez, the international Chungara-Tambo Quemado Pass, and tackling Ollague Volcano—one of South America's highest routes. Get ready for the ride of your life!
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
easyPatapampa Pass is one of the highest paved passes in the Americas
🇵🇪 Peru
Abra Patapampa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.879m (16,007ft) above sea level, located in the Caylloma province of the Arequipa region, in Peru. It’s said to be one of the highest paved passes in the Americas. Set high in the Andes, in the southwestern part of the country, the road to the summit, also known as Abra Pata Pampa, is totally paved. It’s called 1S and 109. It’s part of the infamous Road from Chivay to Arequipa. The pass is 58.8 km (36.53 miles) long, running north-south from Chivay, a town in southern Peru's Colca Valley, to the 34E road. At the summit are souvenir shops, a natural viewpoint called Mirador de los Andes, and a small parking lot. The impressions at this viewpoint depend solely upon weather conditions. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting an 8% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Watch out for sudden loose-gravel breaks because the surface deteriorates at higher elevations. The surface is not bad, there is little traffic, and the gradients are mostly gentle, which means that despite its height, it is a reasonably easy climb. Near the summit (southwest side), a minor gravel road climbs up to 5,000m (16,404ft) above sea level. 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.
moderateA wild road to Laguna de Paton in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Laguna de Patón! This insane lagoon sits way up in the Peruvian Andes, like, 13,615 feet high! You'll find it in the province of Oyón, Lima. The road, mostly concrete and called LM-18, is surprisingly decent, taking you from the town of Oyón eastward to the PA-100 road. Don't let that fool you, though. This 27-mile (43.5 km) stretch is a beast! Think hairpin turns and switchbacks galore. But hey, you're rewarded with breathtaking scenery at every twist and turn. This isn't just a drive, it's an experience! Just keep your eyes on the road, because those views can be seriously distracting!
hardCerro Camellos
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're hunting for a wild ride in Chile's Tarapacá Region, Cerro Camellos is calling your name! This beast of a peak tops out at a whopping 4,431 meters (14,537 feet) — talk about thin air! Nestled deep in the Andes, the road up is definitely not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, rocks, bumps galore, and enough tippy sections to keep you on your toes. Winter? Forget about it, this road's a no-go. Experienced off-roaders, this is your playground! But be warned: if unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, steer clear. You'll need a serious 4x4, and a healthy dose of courage, because this trail is STEEP. Oh, and did I mention the heights? Yeah, they're pretty intense. Plus, rain turns this road into a muddy, slippery mess, so pick your weather wisely. Get ready for some incredible views and a truly unforgettable adventure!
extremeWhy is it called Lastarria Volcano?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Chile and Argentina, smack-dab in the Central Andes. Looming large is Volcán Lastarria, a seriously impressive stratovolcano named after some 19th-century Chilean brainiac, José Victorino Lastarria. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The road, if you can even call it that, claws its way up the volcano to a lung-busting altitude that puts it in the running for one of the highest roads in Argentina. We’re talking serious elevation here. The scenery? Think desolate, otherworldly, and jaw-dropping. You'll be surrounded by intense yellow sulfur deposits thanks to the volcano's constant, powerful fumaroles – it's been puffing away for over 70 years. But be warned: this beauty comes with a bite. The "road" is basically a set of unmarked mining tracks carved out for sulfur extraction. Expect loose volcanic ash, sharp obsidian rocks, and sneaky sand drifts just waiting to swallow your tires. High-clearance 4x4? Non-negotiable. Satellite imagery? Your new best friend. And did I mention the altitude? The air is thin, your engine's gonna whine, and those sulfur gases? They're not exactly aromatherapy. Plus, you're miles from civilization. If something goes wrong, you're on your own. Pack accordingly—we’re talking supplemental oxygen, gas masks, and enough supplies to survive a zombie apocalypse. This ain't for the faint of heart, but for the ultimate adventure, Lastarria delivers.