
The World’s Fastest Downhill Mountain Bike Ride in the Atacama desert
Chile, south-america
167 km
3,972 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're carving down a mountain in the Chilean desert, wind screaming past you, scenery blurring... pure adrenaline! This isn't your average Sunday cruise; we're talking about the very slope where Austrian daredevil Max Stöckl smashed the world speed record on a stock mountain bike.
We’re at Cerro "El Flaco", peaking at almost 4,000 meters. The initial slope is a heart-stopping 45 degrees, and the run is a nail-biting 1.2km blast from top to bottom. Stöckl himself said it was an exhausting 20 seconds of pure exhilaration! While I wouldn't advise trying to hit 167 km/h yourself, just imagine the view and the rush – definitely a trip for the adventurous soul.
Where is it?
The World’s Fastest Downhill Mountain Bike Ride in the Atacama desert is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.1772, -73.0510
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 167 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,972 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -34.1772, -73.0510
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhere is the Colchane-Pisiga Pass?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the Chilean-Bolivian border, ready for an adventure! That's where you'll find the Colchane-Pisiga Pass. Forget smooth sailing, though; this unpaved road winds its way through some serious altitude. On the Chilean side, it's known as the road to San Lorenzo de Tarapacá, and once you cross over into Bolivia, it becomes the road to Pisiga. We're talking a pretty decent stretch of unpaved road here. Expect stunning scenery, but also be prepared for some real driving challenges. If you're thinking of heading to Taapaca Volcano, or even braving the 4x4 track to Lastarria Volcano, this could be part of your route! So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride in the high Andes!
moderateAbra Turpo
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! I just tackled Abra Turpo, a sky-high mountain pass way up in the Huancavelica Province of Peru, and let me tell you, it's breathtaking... literally! We're talking 4,798 meters (15,741 feet) above sea level. The road, known as Carretera 110, winds between Turpo and Acobambilla and it's mostly gravel. You won't find much traffic, and the slopes are pretty manageable. Think of it as a fantastic off-road experience if you know what you're doing. Definitely need a 4x4 for this one, and if unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe sit this one out. Heights? Yeah, you'll be seeing a lot of them. And if it's been raining, expect a muddy challenge. Oh, and get this: for a solid 25 kilometers of the way towards Huayunca, you're basically floating above 4,900 meters! The views? Absolutely insane. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardDriving to Sosneado Hotel, a nazi hideout in Mendoza
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of Argentina's Mendoza Province lies a hidden gem: the abandoned Hotel Termas de El Sosneado. Forget paved paradise, this journey is all about rugged reality! The road to get there? It's Provincial Route 220 (RP220), a wild 60 km (37 miles) stretch of unpaved madness. Think rocks, loose gravel, rickety wooden bridges, mud pits, and brown rivers to ford. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4 for this one. Starting in El Sosneado, you will make your way to the abandoned hotel that sits right by the Atuel river. Perched at 2,180m (7,152ft) above sea level in the breathtaking Sosneado Valley, nestled at the foot of the Andes, this remote spot will take your breath away (if the altitude doesn't first!). The drive itself, without stops, clocks in at 2-3 hours. Built in the late 30s, this once-luxurious hotel met its demise in the 50s after an avalanche. But here's the cool part: the thermal spring pools, fed by the nearby Overo volcano, are still there and surprisingly warm, and some brave souls still take a dip! Plus, local legend whispers tales of it being a Nazi hideout…spooky! Word to the wise: this road is usually a no-go in winter. And remember, there are ZERO services along the way, so gas up and stock up on supplies before you head out. Trust me, you'll want to be prepared for this off-the-beaten-path adventure!
moderateA wild mining road to Vicuña volcano in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle a beast of a road? I'm talking about the route up Volcán Vicuña, teetering on the Argentina-Chile border at a staggering 18,028 feet! Seriously, this has gotta be one of the highest roads in this part of the world. You'll find this bad boy nestled high in the Andes, smack-dab between Argentina's San Juan Province and Chile's Atacama Region. Fair warning: the road to the top is completely unpaved, so a 4x4 isn't just recommended—it's essential! Word on the street is that this is actually a mining road, so you know it’s gonna be rough and ready. Think rugged landscapes, maybe even a glimpse of copper and gold riches! Just a heads-up: the climate here is classic high-Andes – expect it to be bone-chillingly cold and super windy. And because you're practically touching the sky, this road is only accessible during the summer months (December to April). The rest of the year, it's buried under a mountain of snow. So, if you’re planning a trip, time it right!