A stunning coastal road from Caldera to Huasco

A stunning coastal road from Caldera to Huasco

Chile, south-america

Length

184 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the coast of Chile's Atacama Region, windows down, salty air whipping through your hair. This isn't just any drive; it's the road from Caldera to Huasco, one of the most incredible coastal routes Chile has to offer!

Recently paved and known as Ruta C-10 (made up of segments C-324, C-302, C-326, and C-470), this 184 km (114 mile) stretch winds its way north-south from the port city of Caldera to Huasco. The climate is mostly warm and bone-dry thanks to its location on the edge of the Atacama Desert, but the cool sea breeze keeps things manageable.

Keep your eyes peeled though! Flash floods can be a real issue sometimes, and sandstorms can occasionally blow through, adding an extra layer of adventure. But trust me, the incredible desert landscapes meeting the Pacific Ocean are worth any minor inconvenience. This is one road trip you won't forget!

Where is it?

A stunning coastal road from Caldera to Huasco is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.8630, -72.8146

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Road Details

Country
Chile
Continent
south-america
Length
184 km
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-35.8630, -72.8146

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