Road CH-21
Chile, south-america
199 km
2.3 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Ruta CH-21 in northern Chile's Antofagasta Region! This high-altitude route is a real journey, taking you entirely above 2,300m.
Starting in Calama, a super-dry city in the Atacama Desert (we're talking a measly 5mm of rain a year!), you'll begin on smooth asphalt before transitioning to gravel. For 199km, it's a mix of textures under your tires as you climb from Calama (2,300m) to Ollagüe, a frontier village at a cool 3,700m.
The road tops out at 3,830m, so be prepared for thin air and stunning views! While generally open year-round, keep an eye on the weather. This region can throw some serious curveballs, with avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides possible. Ice patches can also be a hazard. With that said, in good weather, a high-clearance 2WD can handle this route at a slow and steady pace. Get ready for long, straight stretches across an unforgettable landscape!
Where is it?
Road CH-21 is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -37.0664, -75.0869
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 199 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.3 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -37.0664, -75.0869
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