Where is Caldera La Pacana?
Chile, south-america
N/A
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for a wild ride to Caldera La Pacana, a mind-blowing volcanic caldera chilling way up in the Chilean Andes. We're talking seriously high altitude here, so be prepared to be breathless – both from the views and the thin air!
You'll find this gem nestled in the eastern reaches of the Atacama Desert, not far from the Salar de Aguas Calientes. Now, heads up: the road to the top is all dirt, baby! This ain't your Sunday drive. It’s a route that demands respect, surrounded by stark, remote beauty that'll make you feel like you're on another planet.
Brace yourself for some tough conditions out there. The road stretches out for quite a distance, with the altitude climbing steadily. Expect some steep sections along the way. This road, located at one of the lowest passes of the Andes, is sensational!
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in south-america
extremeHow to get by car to Santa Rosa Mine near Pavico?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up! We're heading to the Mina Santa Rosa in Peru, one of the highest mines on the planet, clocking in at a staggering 5,133 meters (that's 16,840 feet!). Picture this: you're in the southern part of Peru, straddling the border between Moquegua and Puno regions, with the imposing Arichua volcano as your backdrop. This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road? Let's just say it's "rustic." We're talking totally unpaved, so a 4x4 is your best friend here. Get ready for a wild ride: narrow sections, steep climbs, and enough turns to make you dizzy. From Santa Rosa, it's roughly 40 km (25 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure. But wait, there's more! You're in the Andes, so expect some serious weather. Think harsh conditions, intense sun, crazy winds, and bone-chilling temps. But hey, you’re visiting one of the ten highest mines in the world — totally worth it for the bragging rights (and the views)!
hardWhere is Pichachén Pass?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Chile-Argentina border, high in the Andes, at a cool 6,768 feet above sea level. This is Paso Internacional Pichachén, and it's a wild ride! We're talking about a 111-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt road connecting the Biobío Region in Chile with Argentina's Neuquén Province. Known locally as Cajon del Pichachen or Boquete de Antuco, this route (Ruta CH-5 in Chile and Ruta Provincial 6 in Argentina) is seriously twisty and will put your driving skills to the test. Keep in mind, this isn't a year-round joyride. Mother Nature often shuts it down in the winter due to, well, pretty much zero maintenance. Expect crazy temperature changes too – scorching sun during the day, but bundle up for freezing nights. But hey, with views like these, who's complaining?
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.
extremeHow to reach Laguna Capalococha?
🇵🇪 Peru
Laguna Capalococha is a remote high-mountain lagoon situated at an elevation of 4,623m (15,167ft) above sea level in the Huaylas Province of Peru. Nestled deep within the Ancash Region, the road to this glacial lake is one of the most secluded and demanding tracks in the Cordillera Blanca range. Road facts: Laguna Capalococha Huaylas, Ancash, Peru (Cordillera Blanca) Wild Unpaved / Loose Rocks How to reach Laguna Capalococha? The road to the lagoon spans and runs north-south, connecting the high mountain pass of (4,289m) with the remote village of . This route is rarely mentioned in travel guides, making it a true hidden gem for those exploring the western part of the Peruvian Andes. Is the road to Laguna Capalococha dangerous? Yes, this is an extremely challenging drive. The surface is and consists of loose rocks and gravel, with absolutely no guardrails protecting drivers from the dangerous vertical drops . The track features approximately 30 sharp hairpin turns that negotiate the steep Andean slopes. Due to the technical nature of the terrain and the altitude, a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended. What are the weather conditions like? At over 4,600 meters, the weather is a constant factor. The area is frequently shrouded in , which can reduce visibility to near zero in seconds. Combined with the narrowness of the track and the loose surface, driving here requires maximum concentration and experience in high-altitude environments. It is one of the most "raw" and "wild" driving experiences remaining in the Cordillera Blanca. Hints for reading Spanish road signs Driving a Wild Curvy Road to Abra Ucchuchacua in the Andes Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.