A paved road to Laguna Miscanti

A paved road to Laguna Miscanti

Chile, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,120 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure awaits in the Chilean altiplano! We're heading to Laguna Miscanti, a stunning mountain lake chilling way up at 4,120 meters (that's 13,517 feet for you imperial system folks!).

The road there? Newly paved, which is a bonus. But don't think it's a cakewalk. This climb is a real lung-buster, thanks to the seriously thin air. Prepare to feel the burn, and maybe a bit of altitude sickness – most people start feeling it way before you even get there! The views are incredible, though. It's one of those drives where you'll be stopping every five minutes to snap photos, even if you’re gasping for breath.

Where is it?

A paved road to Laguna Miscanti is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.9275, -75.7726

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Road Details

Country
Chile
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
4,120 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-35.9275, -75.7726

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