La Rinconada in Peru is one of the highest towns accessible by car
Peru, south-america
20 km
5,130 m
extreme
Year-round
Ever been to "Devil's Paradise"? Just west of the Bolivian border in the Peruvian Andes, you'll find La Rinconada, a mining town scraping the sky at a staggering 16,830 feet! That makes it one of the highest towns accessible by car on the planet.
Getting there is half the adventure. The Acceso a La Rinconada is a totally unpaved, 5.4-mile stretch of wild road branching off Road 110. Trust me, your suspension will get a workout!
The scenery is...well, unique. Imagine breathtaking mountain views juxtaposed with the gritty reality of a gold mining town. This place has exploded in population, with miners working under a crazy system – 30 days unpaid, then one day to grab as much gold as you can carry!
Now, let's be real. La Rinconada is considered one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Think extreme altitude (oxygen deprivation is a serious risk), a landscape littered with garbage, and whispers of local mafias. Miners deal with some rough conditions here. Plus, the water's contaminated with mercury. It's not for the faint of heart.
Is it a city? A town? Who knows! But it's an experience you won't forget.
Where is it?
La Rinconada in Peru is one of the highest towns accessible by car is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.7065, -74.9138
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 20 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,130 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -7.7065, -74.9138
Related Roads in south-america
hard32 hairpin turns to the summit of Pampa Huilacollo
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever dreamed of conquering a truly epic plateau in the Peruvian Andes? Then Pampa Huilacollo is calling your name! Nestled way up high in the Moquegua Region, this beauty sits at a whopping 4,625 meters (that's 15,173 feet!) above sea level. Forget smooth sailing, though. The R-42 road is all dirt, all the way to the top. Seriously, you NEED a 4x4 for this one; it's steep! Starting from the quaint town of Muylaque (already at a decent 3,180 meters), you'll tackle 12.6 kilometers of winding, unpaved heaven (or hell, depending on your driving skills!). Get ready for a serious workout on the steering wheel because you'll be navigating 32 hairpin turns as you climb 1,445 meters. The road averages out to an 11.46% gradient, so hold on tight! The scenery? Unforgettable. The challenge? Immense. Are you ready?
hardHow long is the road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in the Cusco Region of central Peru and are feeling *extra* adventurous, you HAVE to check out the road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. Forget smooth tarmac – we're talking a completely unpaved, rugged track stretching for about 22.6 kilometers (or roughly 14 miles) between these two towns in the La Convención Province. Plan for about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes to conquer it, assuming you don't stop to catch your breath (and trust me, you might need to!). What makes it so wild? Well, for starters, you'll be climbing to a staggering 1,748 meters (that's 5,734 feet!) above sea level. Add to that some serious exposure with massive drops down to the Urubamba River below, and a distinct lack of guardrails in many spots, and you've got yourself a nail-biting experience. If you're afraid of heights or landslides, maybe sit this one out! But if you're up for a challenge and incredible views, this is one road you won't soon forget!
hardCan you drive to Sosneado Hotel?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride to the eerie Hotel Termas de El Sosneado! Deep in the Mendoza Province of Argentina, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. Forget pavement, Provincial Route 220 is all about rocks, loose gravel, and maybe a little rubble for good measure. Oh, and did I mention the narrow wooden bridges, mud, and rivers of brown water you'll be splashing through? Starting near El Sosneado, this off-road adventure stretches nearly 60 km to the ruined hotel, perched beside the Atuel River. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. You'll climb to over 2,000 meters above sea level! Built in 1938, this luxury hotel met its end after an avalanche in 1953. The main draw? Thermal spring pools fed by the nearby Overo volcano! Word is you can still take a dip. Locals whisper about it being a former Nazi hideout. Spooky, right? Set against the backdrop of the Andes, this trip will steal 2-3 hours of your day. Heads up: this road is usually impassable during winter. There are no services along the way, so pack a full tank of gas, food, and plenty of water. You've been warned!
moderateDriving the Scenic Y-620 Road to Laguna Parrillar
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're in the wilds of southern Chile, specifically the Magallanes and Antártica Chilena Region, craving a little off-the-beaten-path adventure. I've got just the thing: Camino a Reserva Laguna Parrillar, or Y-620! This isn't your typical smooth sailing. It's a 21.7 km (13.48 miles) dirt track that kicks off west of the paved Ruta 9, south of Punta Arenas, and winds its way east towards the stunning Laguna Parrillar. Think graded dirt, totally doable in most cars when it's dry. Speaking of Laguna Parrillar, this place is unreal. Because of its altitude and crazy low temps, the lagoon turns into a winter wonderland, freezing solid with ice almost a foot thick! Snowdrifts can pile up to two feet deep. Seriously epic. The Laguna Parrillar National Reserve is where the magic happens. Created to protect the lagoon's watershed (it's Punta Arenas' main water source!), this 18,414-hectare reserve is packed with killer scenery. Along the way, you'll find seven marked rest stops. Perfect for a picnic, soaking in the views, or even casting a line for trout (October to March is your fishing window!). It’s pure Patagonian bliss.