The Wild Road to Embalse El Yeso

# 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.