Where is Pascua Lama?
Argentina, south-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, so you wanna hit up Pascua Lama? This insane international peak straddles the border between Argentina and Chile. It's seriously high, so be prepared for some thin air!
You'll find this beast north of the town of Alto del Carmen, chilling in the southern part of the Atacama Desert. Once you conquer the summit, you'll be standing pretty close to the Pascua Lama mine site, which, FYI, is a point of contention with the local community.
The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think super steep, unpaved mining road. It's a tough climb, to say the least.
Now, a word of caution: this drive is NOT a walk in the park. If you've got any respiratory or heart issues, seriously reconsider. The altitude sickness is real, and it'll kick your engine's butt, too. Expect altitude effects around 13,000 feet!
Oh, and there's also the Rio Encuentro bridge crossing between Argentina and Chile to look out for. Trust me, the views are insane, but this adventure definitely comes with some serious challenges.
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
extremeHow to Get by Car to Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha in the Cordillera Negra?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a seriously epic road for you: the route to Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha in Peru's Yungay Province. Nestled way up in the Ancash Region, in the Huaylas Valley, this trio of high-mountain lagoons is worth the trek, but be warned: it's not for the faint of heart! The road is a beast – unpaved, rocky, and clinging to the side of the Cordillera Negra range with zero guardrails. Think serious drop-offs and a few hairpin turns right at the end to keep you on your toes. You'll top out at a staggering 4,561m (14,963ft), so keep an eye on the weather, as fog is a frequent visitor. This is seriously remote, so rally your crew. You'll need a 4x4 for this one; anything less just won't cut it. Starting from Abra Tsactsapunta, a mountain pass sitting pretty at 4,472m (14,671ft), you've got a wild 8.9 km (5.5 miles) to go. Trust me, the views of those lagoons at the end make it all worthwhile!
hardA memorable road trip to Abra Antofalla
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Abra Antofalla in Argentina's Catamarca Province is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday drive – we're talking about a lung-busting, heart-pumping climb to 5,005 meters (16,420 feet)! The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. It's a 74.9 km (46.54 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated, sandy, unpaved challenge. Seriously, leave the sedan at home. A 4x4 is an absolute must. And maybe a winch. And a prayer. Expect some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients hitting 10% in places! Plus, you're in seriously remote territory. Don't even think about tackling this one solo. But oh, the views! The stark, otherworldly beauty of this corner of Argentina is absolutely worth the effort (and maybe the therapy bill later). Just prepare for an unforgettable, hair-raising ride!
extremeTravelling through the curvy Cuesta del Portezuelo road
🇦🇷 Argentina
Get ready for an epic ride on the Cuesta del Portezuelo! This little slice of heaven is tucked away in the Valle Viejo department of Catamarca province, way up in northwestern Argentina. The whole thing is paved, so no need to worry about dirt. It's just over 16km (around 10 miles) winding from the RN 38 highway up through the Sierra de Ancasti mountains and connecting to Ruta Provincial 2. Hold on tight, because this road is all curves, all the time. Seriously, hairpin turns galore! Built back in the late 30s, this road is an oldie but a goodie. Prepare to climb! You'll reach a peak of 1,771m (that's over 5,800ft!). Expect an average gradient of 6%, but be ready for some steep sections that ramp up to over 20%. The views are absolutely worth it, though, with green landscapes stretching out as far as you can see. Just be aware, it can get pretty narrow. Locals call it a "bridle path," a nod to its past when it was basically a horse trail. Thankfully, it's been upgraded since then! Now, it's one of the most popular spots in the province, thanks to its stunning scenery and how close it is to the city.
extremeCordón de Inacaliri: Driving the 5,395m mining track on the Chile-Bolivia border
🇨🇱 Chile
Buckle up for Cordón de Inacaliri, a mind-blowing volcano straddling the Chile-Bolivia border! We're talking serious altitude here – topping out at a dizzying 5,395m (17,700ft)! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Originally hacked out for mining, it slices through one of Earth's harshest landscapes. You'll be flirting with both the Bolivian province of Nor LÃpez and Chile's Antofagasta Region. The adventure kicks off near Inacaliri, but forget precise GPS – the relentless Andean winds and ever-shifting scree mean the path is constantly morphing. This is raw, untamed territory where the road can get seriously "tippy" and bumpy, demanding a driver laser-focused on navigating every obstacle. Forget smooth asphalt, this is a gnarly mix of gravel and unforgiving rock. Built for tough mining equipment, not comfort, the surface is in constant flux, thanks to relentless erosion. A 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's your lifeline. This climb demands nerves of steel, as the track clings to the volcano's slopes with zero guardrails. Always scout ahead – at this altitude, one wrong move – getting high-centered or losing traction on a tricky patch – can have major consequences. The real kicker? The crippling lack of oxygen. At the summit, you're breathing roughly 40% less than at sea level, testing both your body and your engine's combustion. Altitude sickness hits most people hard above 2,500m, but up here at 5,395m, the risk of severe *soroche* (altitude sickness) is extreme. Even simple movements become a slog, and your heart rate will skyrocket. People with respiratory or heart issues and babies should absolutely skip this one. Driving demands razor-sharp focus, even when your brain feels like it's wading through molasses. And a word on the weather: winter isn't messing around in the Central Andes. Your window of opportunity is slim – maybe mid-summer, if you're lucky. Even then, expect rapid shifts in weather, with snow possible at any time. High winds are a constant companion, and winter temperatures can plunge way below -20°C. Ice and snow can suddenly turn the rocky surface into a treacherous skating rink. Pack extra fuel, oxygen, and all the cold-weather survival gear you can fit. Trust me, you'll need it.