
The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Cerro Tecar
Chile, south-america
25.3 km
5,088 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Cerro Tecar in Chile's Atacama Desert! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking serious elevation – a whopping 5,088m (16,692ft)! Nestled high in the Antofagasta region, near the Argentinian border, this road is one of Chile’s highest.
Forget smooth pavement; this is a curvy, unpaved climb from Monturaqui on Road B55. Clocking in at about 25.3 km (15.72 miles), you'll gain a massive 1,647 meters in altitude. Expect some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting a maximum of 13%! The average incline is around 6.5%, so make sure your vehicle is ready for a workout. The scenery? Absolutely unreal, but keep your eyes on the road – this is an adventure that demands respect!
Where is it?
The Ultimate Guide to Conquering Cerro Tecar is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -33.8911, -71.7834
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 25.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,088 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -33.8911, -71.7834
Related Roads in south-america
hardHighest roads of Bolivia
🇧🇴 Bolivia
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!
extremeLa Rinconada in Peru is one of the highest towns accessible by car
🇵🇪 Peru
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.
moderateAn Andean mountain road to Pehuenche Pass
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Paso Pehuenche is calling your name. This high-altitude beauty straddles the border between Argentina (Mendoza Province) and Chile (Maule Region) at a cool 8,389 feet above sea level. We're talking a fully paved road trip (thanks to the 2018 upgrade!) stretching 104 miles between Las Loicas, Argentina, and San Clemente, Chile. Just hop on Ruta Nacional 145 (Argentina) or CH 115 (Chile) and get ready for some serious scenery. Factor in about 2.5 to 3.5 hours of pure driving bliss (without stops, of course!). Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife – they love hanging out in the high country. And hold on tight, because this route isn't shy about its steepness, with gradients hitting a max of 11% in places! Nestled deep in the Andes, Paso Pehuenche is typically open from December to March, weather permitting. So, pack your bags, check those dates, and prepare for an unforgettable ride!
hardHow to drive the challenging road to La Cumbre?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for La Cumbre! This Bolivian beauty sits way up high in the Cochabamba department, topping out at a lung-busting 14,783 feet. You'll be cruising on the Carretera Oruro – Cochabamba (Ruta 4), a fully paved road that's surprisingly smooth. Don't get too comfy though – it's a twisty-turny climb that'll keep you on your toes. This epic stretch of road runs for about 44 miles between Challa Grande and Caihuasi, right in the heart of Bolivia. It's so challenging, it's a regular on the Vuelta Ciclista a Bolivia – the highest stage on the whole UCI circuit! Word to the wise: if you've got heart or breathing problems, maybe skip this one. The air gets seriously thin up there. Altitude sickness is a real possibility above 8,000 feet, and with 40% less oxygen at the summit, even walking feels like a workout. The steep inclines, unpredictable weather, and remote location make this a truly demanding drive. But the views? Totally worth it (if you can breathe enough to enjoy them!).