Travelling Through Ruta 27 (CH-27) in the Andes
Argentina, south-america
156 km
3,000 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising on Ruta 27 in northern Chile, smack-dab in the Andes. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a serious high-altitude adventure across a wild, arid plateau.
This two-lane paved beauty stretches for 156 kilometers (97 miles), linking San Pedro de Atacama to Argentina via Paso de Jama. It's a fairly new route, fully paved since 2005, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a breeze.
Prepare for steep climbs and some challenging conditions, especially those strong, dry winds and the blazing sun! Sunglasses, H2O, and a couple of spare tires are absolute must-haves.
Oh, and did I mention the altitude? You'll be hitting some serious heights, topping out at Portezuelo Paranal, a mountain pass sitting pretty at a breathtaking 4,832 meters (15,853 feet). That makes it one of South America's highest paved roads. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride!
Where is it?
Travelling Through Ruta 27 (CH-27) in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -35.1464, -64.4427
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 156 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,000 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -35.1464, -64.4427
Related Roads in south-america
easyPatapampa Pass is one of the highest paved passes in the Americas
🇵🇪 Peru
Abra Patapampa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.879m (16,007ft) above sea level, located in the Caylloma province of the Arequipa region, in Peru. It’s said to be one of the highest paved passes in the Americas. Set high in the Andes, in the southwestern part of the country, the road to the summit, also known as Abra Pata Pampa, is totally paved. It’s called 1S and 109. It’s part of the infamous Road from Chivay to Arequipa. The pass is 58.8 km (36.53 miles) long, running north-south from Chivay, a town in southern Peru's Colca Valley, to the 34E road. At the summit are souvenir shops, a natural viewpoint called Mirador de los Andes, and a small parking lot. The impressions at this viewpoint depend solely upon weather conditions. The road to the summit is very steep, hitting an 8% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Watch out for sudden loose-gravel breaks because the surface deteriorates at higher elevations. The surface is not bad, there is little traffic, and the gradients are mostly gentle, which means that despite its height, it is a reasonably easy climb. Near the summit (southwest side), a minor gravel road climbs up to 5,000m (16,404ft) above sea level. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeWhere is Uturuncu?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Potosà Department of Bolivia, near the San Pablo de LÃpez Municipality, lies Cerro Uturuncu, a stratovolcano boasting one of the highest roads on the planet! This ain't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a gravel track that claws its way up to a staggering 6,008 meters (19,711ft)! Built originally for a sulfur mine back in the day, the road is now maintained only for tourists by local guides. A 4x4 is a MUST. While the track is generally decent, be prepared for rogue rocks or even a dusting of snow, depending on the season. Now, here's the deal: most reports suggest you can only drive to within a few hundred meters of the summit (somewhere between 5,200 and 5,900 meters), as a landslide has blocked the way further up. However, satellite imagery suggests you can make it to 5,700 meters. A French team even managed to cycle (or push!) their bikes to the top! The lower section is super sandy, and above 5,000 meters, the lack of oxygen is a REAL issue for your engine (and you!). Expect gradients of around 8% for the first five kilometers, ramping up to over 10% between 5,100 and 5,600 meters. The road can get a bit narrow in places, with a seriously steep drop on one side. But, oh, the scenery! Think gigantic landscapes, active volcanoes, and vividly colored lagoons. This is an adventure you won't forget!
hardLaguna Milluni
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, buckle up, adventurers, because we're heading to Laguna Milluni, a stunning alpine lake chilling at a whopping 4,565 meters (that's nearly 15,000 feet!) high in the Bolivian Andes' Cordillera Real. The road to Milluni Grande, as it's also known, is a gravel track that winds its way up with several hairpin turns. Be warned, though – this climb is a beast! The air gets thin *real* fast up there, so be prepared to feel the altitude. Most people start feeling the effects at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Plus, at this altitude, the road can get snowed in anytime, so check conditions before you go. But trust me, the views of the lake and surrounding peaks are totally worth the challenge.
extremeLaguna Tototral
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, so you're heading to Peru? Forget the tourist traps and get ready for Laguna Tototral, a stunning high-altitude lake chilling way up at 14,245 feet! This ain't no Sunday drive though. Route 120 to get there? Let's just say it's "rustic." Think gravel, super-narrow sections, and mud that'll swallow your tires whole if it's been raining. Seriously, 4x4 is your BFF here. And be warned: this road's notorious for avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides, plus sneaky patches of ice that can appear out of nowhere. The climb is BRUTAL. We're talking seriously steep and the air gets thin, fast. Most people start feeling the altitude sickness kick in well before you even reach the lake. But, trust me, the views? Absolutely worth the lung-busting trek. Just take it slow, stay hydrated, and prepare to be amazed.