Abra Chapoco
Chile, south-america
N/A
4,400 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Abra Chapoco is calling your name! This high-altitude mountain pass tops out at a whopping 4,400m (14,435ft) in the Parinacota Province of Chile. Nestled high in the Andes, the road from Visviri to Tacora is a mix of gravel and rocky terrain – expect a tippy, bumpy ride!
This route (also known as A-23) isn't for the faint of heart. It's open to all vehicles, but a 4x4 is HIGHLY recommended. Even though it’s not a super long climb, some of the inclines are seriously steep.
The views? Absolutely stunning! You'll be treated to vistas of Volcan Tacora and the surrounding mountains on the Chile-Peru border. Plus, you'll probably have the road all to yourself. Just remember, the air gets thin up there! Altitude sickness can kick in above 2,500 meters, so be prepared.
Where is it?
Abra Chapoco is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -37.1629, -70.8098
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,400 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -37.1629, -70.8098
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhere is Abra Pirhuayani?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! Abra Pirhuayani, nestled high in the Quispicanchi Province of Peru, is a mountain pass that'll leave you breathless – literally, given its sky-high elevation! You're practically eye-to-eye with the clouds here, higher than any mountain in the country. What can you expect? A small bar/restaurant at the top, a quaint church, and a parking lot to soak it all in. And get this, despite being practically on the equator, you might even find snow! The road to the summit, the Carretera Interoceanica, is now paved, making the journey smoother than you might expect. This stretch is a relatively short one, running west to east, and trust me, the views at the summit are seriously stunning. The climb is definitely an experience, boasting countless hairpin turns and some seriously steep sections. Keep an eye on the speed limit in certain areas. As you ascend, prepare to be wowed by the Cordillera Vilcanota mountains, dominating the horizon. You’ll find yourself winding through hairpin after hairpin, with breathtaking views around every bend.
hardA Wild Road to Lagunillas del Farallon
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventurers, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you: Lagunillas del Farallón, a super-remote mountain town perched way up in Jujuy, Argentina. We're talking serious altitude here - 4,182 meters (that's over 13,700 feet!). You'll find it tucked away in the High Andes, way up in the northwest corner of the country. The town itself is tiny, but it's got a powerful story. Right in the middle, there's a statue remembering a young boy who sadly froze to death walking to school back in '72. Getting there is half the adventure! The road, Camino a Lagunillas de Farallón, is mostly dirt and gravel. It kicks off from the paved Ruta Nacional 40 and stretches for about 46 kilometers (around 29 miles). Most of the time, you can make it in a regular car, but after it rains you'll want something with higher clearance. Word to the wise, keep an eye out – this area is known for earthquakes! But trust me, the views along the way are absolutely stunning and worth the journey.
moderateVolcanos Valley Road, one of the world's top drives
🇵🇪 Peru
Get ready for an epic adventure through the Valley of Volcanoes in southern Peru's Arequipa province! This isn't your typical Sunday drive – it's a 44.3 km gravel track linking Andagua and the stunning Colca Canyon, and it's packed with more than 85 volcanic cones! The Valley of Volcanoes road serves up views for days as it weaves through crazy-deep river valleys and climbs over multiple 3,000-meter mountain passes. The road is maintained, so you can safely cruise along in a high-clearance 2WD vehicle (just take it slow on those long, straight stretches!). Trust me, this drive is a MUST. The geological formations are unreal, with volcanic rocks sculpted by nature into all sorts of animal shapes. And the photo ops? Forget about it! Seriously, charge those batteries, clear your memory cards, and prepare to snap some unforgettable shots. If you're hunting for a place that's wild, remote, and practically untouched by tourism, you've hit the jackpot!
moderatePilcomayo bridge
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright, thrill-seekers, picture this: you're cruising through the Tarija Department in southeastern Bolivia and you stumble upon this crazy-long wooden bridge in the tiny town of Villamontes. This ain't your average bridge, folks! We're talking a whopping 441 meters (that's almost 1,447 feet!) of rustic charm stretching across the Pilcomayo River. It's narrow, just over 4 meters wide, and get this - it's technically a railroad bridge, but you can totally drive your car across it too! Just be prepared to share the space and maybe make room for oncoming traffic, especially if you're heading towards Abra Puca Loma. Get ready for some serious photo ops and a totally unique road trip experience!