A Wild Unpaved Road to Pico de las Antenas
Ecuador, south-america
3.5 km
4,350 m
hard
Year-round
Pico de las Antenas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,350 m (14,271 ft) above sea level, located in Ecuador. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.
The peak is called Pico de las Antenas (“Antenas Peak”) due to an array of telecommunication antennas and towers at the summit, commonly known as Papallacta Antennas.
The peak is located east of Quito, on the boundary of Pichincha and Napo Provinces, in the north-central part of the country, within the Parque Nacional Cayambe Coca.
The road to the summit is totally unpaved and challenging, with big rocks, sharp turns, steep parts, and narrow sections. A 4x4 vehicle is required. If you go, be prepared for very high elevation conditions.
Set high in the Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras, the road to the summit is 3.5 km (2.17 miles) long starting from La Virgen Pass. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 276 m and the average gradient is 7.88%.Pic: Jesus Ramos Martin
Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world
Drive Us to Your Road!
With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
Where is it?
A Wild Unpaved Road to Pico de las Antenas is located in Ecuador (south-america). Coordinates: -1.3775, -78.3748
Road Details
- Country
- Ecuador
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 3.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,350 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -1.3775, -78.3748
Related Roads in south-america
extremeRoad LI-117
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Carretera LI-117 in the Lima Region of Peru! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a 109km rollercoaster that climbs from the village of Cieneguilla (a comfy 370m above sea level) all the way up to Huarochiri, perched at a cool 3,151m. Picture this: hairpin turns galore, mostly unpaved roads (with a few asphalt surprises), and sections so narrow that passing another car is a no-go. Oh, and did I mention the sheer drop-offs? We're talking hundreds of meters with absolutely zero guardrails. Keep your eyes on the road, people! This baby tops out at a lung-busting 3,932m (12,900ft) in the Andes. If you're prone to altitude sickness or have any heart issues, maybe sit this one out. The air gets thin up here—seriously thin. Expect your engine to struggle and your body to feel it too. The summit has about 40% less oxygen than sea level! Just getting around feels like a workout. It’s beautiful, rugged, and definitely not for the faint of heart!
extremeThe road with 65 hairpin turns to Christ the Redeemer of the Andes
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the ride of your life! We're heading to Cristo Redentor de los Andes, a colossal 4-ton statue perched way up at 3,832m (that's 12,572ft!) straddling the border between Argentina and Chile. This used to be the OG route linking the two countries through La Cumbre Pass, before some tunnel came along and stole its thunder in 1980. Think of it as connecting Mendoza, Argentina, with Valparaíso, Chile. Now, the road itself? Epic. We’re talking about the scenic Paso Internacional de los Libertadores. Heads up, though – it's only open in the summer. Winter brings crazy snow and bone-chilling temps down to -30°C. Even in summer, it can randomly close because of snow or rockfalls. This unpaved stretch of road connects Las Cuevas (Argentina) and Parada Caracoles (Chile), clocking in at 17.1km (or 10.62 miles). Don't let the distance fool you—it's a wild one! Get ready for 65 hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting 15% in places! Budget about 50 minutes to conquer it, assuming you don't stop to soak in the insane views. It’s a challenging drive, no doubt. We’re talking curves, steep climbs, hairpin nightmares, and dramatic drop-offs, sometimes with zero guardrails! Despite all that, it's become a popular tourist route, all for that incredible statue. And about the statue: the bronze Cristo Redentor de los Andes was erected back in 1904 to celebrate Argentina and Chile calling a truce on a border dispute. It's one of the highest monuments on the planet, and a symbol of peace.
moderateWhere is Abra Lliullita?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: You're cruising through Peru's Southern Sierra, heart pounding, as you climb towards Abra Lliullita, perched way up high. This isn't just any road; it's a historic route that once bustled with mule drivers carting goods between Chuquibambilla and Abancay. It's still there, winding up toward the sky. The road's not paved, so maybe leave the sports car at home. The views are totally worth the bumpy ride, though. Keep an eye out for the Laguna de Lliullita near the top. It's perfect for spotting wildlife. The whole stretch from Vilcabamba to Abancay, clocking in at a fair distance, will test your mettle, especially when you consider the altitude. Take it slow, and listen to your body. Altitude sickness is real, folks. But if you're prepared for adventure, this road is a total knockout!
hardWhere is the Colchane-Pisiga Pass?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the Chilean-Bolivian border, ready for an adventure! That's where you'll find the Colchane-Pisiga Pass. Forget smooth sailing, though; this unpaved road winds its way through some serious altitude. On the Chilean side, it's known as the road to San Lorenzo de Tarapacá, and once you cross over into Bolivia, it becomes the road to Pisiga. We're talking a pretty decent stretch of unpaved road here. Expect stunning scenery, but also be prepared for some real driving challenges. If you're thinking of heading to Taapaca Volcano, or even braving the 4x4 track to Lastarria Volcano, this could be part of your route! So, buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride in the high Andes!