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
extremeDriving the Dizzying Road to Cotahuasi Canyon
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle what some say is the DEEPEST canyon in the Americas? Head to the Arequipa region of Peru, Province of La Union, and get ready for the Cañon de Cotahuasi! This beast separates the Solimana and Kopuna ranges deep in the Andes. We're talking a canyon that plunges over 11,000 feet, making the Grand Canyon look like a kiddie pool. The landscape is seriously unreal, a total feast for the eyes. Remote doesn't even begin to describe it, but the views are SO worth it. Carved by the Cotahuasi River, it's a place of hot springs, cascading waterfalls, and quaint villages like Cotahuasi, with its charming church. Keep your eyes peeled for condors soaring overhead, vicuñas grazing, and maybe even a sneaky Andean fox! Plus, you'll spot ancient pre-Incan terraces clinging to the canyon walls. Now, about that road... buckle up! This winding, unpaved track stretches for about 22 miles from Cotahuasi to Quechualla, and it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking hairpin turns, sheer drop-offs, and a whole lotta dust. A 4x4 is an absolute MUST. But trust me, the views from the start all the way down into the canyon are breathtaking. Protected by the Reserva Paisajística Subcuenca del Cotahuasi, this drive is an experience you won't soon forget. Hit this road during the dry season (June-September) for the best conditions. Avoid the rainy season (December-March) when things get muddy and the river swells. And pro tip: don't forget the bug spray – the mosquitos can be fierce!
extremeWhere is Portachuelo Pass?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: you're in Peru, ready for an adventure. You're heading to Paso Portachuelo Llanganuco, a mountain pass that'll blow your mind. We're talking 4,717m (15,475ft) high in the Yungay province! This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road, called AN-106 (Carretera de Yungay), is about 70.8 km (44 miles) long and almost entirely unpaved, snaking its way from Yungay to Yanama. Brace yourself for around 50 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. It's no joke, with steep sections hitting an 11% gradient and some seriously sharp switchbacks. Expect sheer drops, stone cliffs, and maybe some loose rocks or mud, especially after rain. Keep an eye out for potential avalanches, too! This legendary route, used since pre-Inca times, carves through Huascaran National Park, north of the famous Punta Olimpica Tunnel. But trust me, the views are worth it. You'll be treated to incredible sights of Mounts Huascaran, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Pisco, Chacraraju, and Yanapaccha. This pass is usually open year-round, offering a unique corridor between the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds. Get ready for an unforgettable, breathtaking experience!
hardTravel guide to the top of Cerro Pachon
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Coquimbo Region of Chile, heading towards the Andes foothills, right? Your destination? The summit of Cerro Pachón, a staggering 2,696 meters (8,845 feet) high! The road, Camino Centro Astronómico, is mostly paved with a few concrete sections thrown in for good measure, but the final 200 meters is a smooth, graded dirt track. The climb from the D317 road is just shy of 15 kilometers (9.25 miles), with a hefty 951-meter elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 6.38 percent, so get ready for a steady climb! Up top, you're rewarded with views and some serious space-age tech. We're talking the Gemini South Telescope, the SOAR Telescope, and soon, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory – a game-changer in astronomy. This place is all about peering into the cosmos, so expect scenery that’s literally out of this world. A word of caution: due to the altitude, this trip isn't recommended if you have hypertension, cardiovascular, or lung problems. Little ones under 6 aren’t allowed either. But for everyone else? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
extremeThe Wild Road to Embalse El Yeso
🇨🇱 Chile
# Embalse El Yeso del Cajón del Maipo Nestled in Chile's Santiago Metropolitan Region at a breathtaking 2,605 meters (8,546 feet), Embalse El Yeso is a stunning turquoise reservoir that'll make your jaw drop. Built back in 1964 when they dammed up the Yeso River, this high-altitude gem sits in the Andes foothills where the air is so clean and crisp that the sky turns a deep, brilliant blue. The water itself? Pure turquoise perfection—perfect for fishing or windsurfing if you're feeling adventurous. Getting there is half the adventure (or misadventure, depending on your perspective). Camino Embalse El Yeso is a completely unpaved road that starts at San Gabriel and stretches for 23 kilometers (14.29 miles)—and honestly, it feels like driving through an alien landscape straight out of Star Wars. As long as the weather's dry, any regular passenger vehicle can handle it. Here's where it gets real: this road doesn't mess around. You'll gain 1,300 meters in elevation with an average grade of 5.65%, navigating hairpin turns, narrow sections, and steep drops that'll make your palms sweat. This single-track mountain road has humbled plenty of confident drivers. When you round a bend and suddenly face an oncoming car on what's basically a one-lane squeeze, things get sketchy fast. The dramatic canyon drops hundreds of meters below, and low visibility combined with those nerve-wracking curves means you need to stay sharp. Winter brings serious challenges—snow and ice can make this road impassable, though a 4x4 might get you partway through lighter snow. The weather here is wildly unpredictable, especially during autumn, winter, and spring. Fog, rain, or the notorious "White Wind" (vicious storms mixing wind, ice, and snow) can turn dangerous quickly. Pro tip: never tackle this road solo or in bad weather. Drive slowly, watch for oncoming traffic, and always check the forecast first.