A memorable road trip to Curiquinca Volcano
Chile, south-america
N/A
5,625 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Curiquinca! This road hugs the border between Bolivia and Chile, winding up a stratovolcano in the Atacama Desert. We're talking serious altitude here – 5,625m (18,454ft)! This isn't just a Sunday drive, it's a gravel access road to a sulfur deposit, so expect a rough climb that will test your limits.
The air gets thin FAST. Be prepared for altitude sickness, especially since most people start feeling it way before you even get close to the top. And near the summit, oxygen is scarce! Add in the brutal combo of strong, dusty winds and intense sunshine (sunglasses are a MUST), and you've got yourself a real challenge. Bring tons of water, and seriously, pack at least two spare tires – you'll be grateful you did. A 4x4 isn’t just recommended, it’s essential for navigating this beast. The views, if you can catch your breath to enjoy them, are absolutely unreal!
Where is it?
A memorable road trip to Curiquinca Volcano is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -39.4269, -69.2726
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 5,625 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -39.4269, -69.2726
Related Roads in south-america
extremeDriving the mountain road from Yungay Pampa to Mirasanta in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a raw, unfiltered Andean experience, this backroad from Yungay Pampa to Mirasanta in Peru's Ancash region is calling your name. Tucked inside the Huascaran National Park, prepare for views that will absolutely knock your socks off – assuming you can keep your eyes on the road! This 22.2 km stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt and gravel is a serious connector in Ancash, snaking its way up, up, UP through the mountains. The scenery? Epic. The challenge? Real. We’re talking narrow… like, barely-two-cars-wide narrow. And those drop-offs? Let's just say they're not for the faint of heart – hundreds of meters straight down, with zero guardrails to save you. Forget smooth cruising – this is a technical climb with over 20 hairpin turns that'll make your head spin (in a good way, of course!). You'll be earning every meter of that 1,099-meter elevation gain as you ascend from Yungay Pampa to a dizzying 2,478 meters above sea level. This baby's STEEP! Seriously, leave the family sedan at home. A 4WD isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Loose gravel, crazy inclines, tight squeezes... and the weather? Let's just say it can turn on you in a heartbeat, turning that dirt track into a slippery nightmare. If you're an experienced mountain driver who knows how to handle a few (or twenty!) switchbacks and reverse like a pro, then this is your playground. Make sure your rig is in tip-top shape before you go; you're heading into the wild, where help is a long way away. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
extremeWhere is Paso Salar de Ollagüe?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna straddle the border between Chile and Bolivia in the most epic way possible? Then get ready to tackle Paso Salar de Ollagüe! This high-altitude gem sits way up at 3,695m (that's over 12,000ft!) in the majestic Andes, smack-dab in the Reserva Nacional Alto Loa. Think stunning mountain views and pure, unadulterated wilderness. Just a heads-up, you can only cross between 8 AM and 8 PM. Now, let's talk about the road itself. Forget smooth tarmac, this is a wild, unpaved ride from start to finish. On the Chilean side, it's known as CH-21, morphing into Carretera 701 once you hit Bolivia. We're talking rugged, remote, and definitely an adventure. Thankfully, it's usually open year-round. Clocking in at a hefty 254km (157 miles) between Calama (Chile) and Maicota (Bolivia), this isn't a quick jaunt. Given how remote this area is, consider hooking up with a local driver who knows the ropes. Trust me, it'll make the journey way more enjoyable. Get ready for an unforgettable off-the-beaten-path experience!
hardWhere is Cerro Sairécabur?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Cerro Sairécabur, perched on the Bolivia-Chile border, is not for the faint of heart! This volcano boasts one of the highest roads in South America, clawing its way up to a dizzying 5,541m (18,179ft). The adventure starts in the Antofagasta region (Chile) or the Potosí Department (Bolivia), twisting and turning up a rough, abandoned mining road that eventually peaks at an insane 5,753m (18,874ft)! Yep, you read that right - it's one of the highest roads on Earth. Be warned: this is strictly 4x4 territory. For about 19.5km (12.11 miles), you'll grind your way up, gaining a whopping 1,220 meters in elevation. Expect some serious inclines – up to 13% in places! The first section is manageable, but above 5,400m, even seasoned adventurers might find themselves pushing. What's at the top? Besides bragging rights, you'll find the Receiver Lab Telescope, a cutting-edge radio telescope. There's also a sulfur mine at 5,300m. Heads up: bring everything you need from San Pedro! Pack plenty of food and water, as local sources are supposedly contaminated. And be prepared for wind, cold, and a seriously challenging climb. Altitude sickness is a real risk, so acclimatize beforehand. The access road is unmarked and tricky to find, but trust me, the views (if you can breathe enough to enjoy them) are unreal.
extremeCan you drive to Machu Picchu?
🇵🇪 Peru
So, you wanna hit up Machu Picchu? Buckle up, because the road there is an adventure in itself! We're talking about the Carretera a Machu Picchu, or as some call it, the Hiram Bingham Highway. This isn't your typical smooth ride, though. Imagine a totally unpaved, zigzagging road snaking its way up to the historic site. Only authorized vehicles are allowed, so hop on a bus in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). This little town, nestled at the foot of the mountain, is worth a visit, with hotels, restaurants, and natural hot springs (yep, that's where the name comes from!). The road climbs a solid 8.9km (5.53 miles) to Machu Picchu. Don't let the term "highway" fool you – it's more like a rollercoaster built into the side of a mountain. Expect a thrilling series of 14 hairpin turns that are super narrow and steep, with gradients hitting a maximum of 27%! Talk about a climb! It's definitely not for the faint of heart. Picture this: two buses meeting on one of these tight turns. One has to reverse uphill just to find a spot wide enough for them to squeeze past each other. You'll be gripping the armrest, but the views along the way are incredible. The road also crosses a bridge over the Vilcanota River. The Hiram Bingham Highway isn't just a road; it's an experience, a rite of passage before you even set foot in Machu Picchu. Get ready for a wild ride!