A wild road to Cerro Rico, the silver mountain that eats men
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
4,760 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Cerro Rico, the "Rich Mountain" of Bolivia! This iconic, cone-shaped peak, also called Cerro Potosí, sits way up high in the Andes, clocking in at a staggering 15,616 feet above sea level.
Okay, a bit of history: this mountain is legendary for its massive silver deposits that fueled the Spanish Empire back in the day. Imagine, the world's largest industrial complex in the 16th century! Today, it's still mined for zinc, tin, tungsten, lead, copper, and even a little silver.
Now, getting to the top is where the adventure really kicks in. The road is completely unpaved, twisting and turning with hairpin turns that will test your driving skills. And hold on tight, because some sections are incredibly steep, with gradients reaching a maximum of 15%! Be warned, though, this road isn't for the faint of heart. Due to extensive mining over centuries, the mountain is unstable and riddled with tunnels, making it a potentially hazardous climb. The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Just keep your eyes on the road – you'll need them!
Where is it?
A wild road to Cerro Rico, the silver mountain that eats men is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -17.2088, -63.6606
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,760 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -17.2088, -63.6606
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