An epic road to Abra Taapaca
Chile, south-america
45.1 km
4,809 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Taapaca! This beast of a mountain pass clocks in at a whopping 4,809 meters (15,777 feet) high up in the Nevados de Putre volcanic complex, way up in Chile's Tarapaca region. Seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in Chile.
The entire A-23 road is unpaved, so get ready for a bumpy ride! In dry weather, most cars can make it, but honestly, a 4x4 is your best friend here. That final stretch to the top? Let's just say it's pretty intense with some seriously steep sections. Pro tip: pack plenty of water, snacks, extra fuel, a warm jacket, and make sure you've got a good GPS and some offline maps. Oh, and don't be fooled by those "5,250 msnm" signs at the summit—they're a bit optimistic, shall we say?
The whole thing is about 45.1 km (28 miles) long, running from the paved Carretera Internacional CH 11 (15 km east of Putre) up to Papujune. Keep in mind you're in the mountains, climbing to some serious altitudes, so the air is THIN. Altitude sickness and crazy weather are real concerns here, so be prepared! The scenery includes the Salar de Aguas Calientes, a mind-blowing landscape that's well worth the adventure.
Where is it?
An epic road to Abra Taapaca is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.6535, -69.0700
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 45.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,809 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -34.6535, -69.0700
Related Roads in south-america
moderateWhere is Salar de Uyuni?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Ever dreamt of driving across a seemingly endless expanse of blinding white? Then buckle up and head to Salar de Uyuni in southwest Bolivia! This place is seriously unreal. Imagine a 10,500 square kilometer salt flat, the biggest on the planet, surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains. It’s like driving on a frozen ocean...except it's salt! Your destination? Isla Incahuasi, or "house of the Inca." This island is smack-dab in the middle of the salt flat. The "road" to get there? Well, it's pure, unadulterated salt. It's a bumpy ride, but trust me, the views are worth every jostle. Keep in mind that this isn't your typical road trip. We're talking basic conditions and cold weather. Accommodation is in simple refuges. But the otherworldly scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Just a heads-up: when the rainy season hits and the salt flat floods, Isla Incahuasi becomes off-limits. So, plan accordingly and prepare for an adventure you won't soon forget!
extremeLaguna Chuspi
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're in Peru and craving some serious altitude with killer views, you HAVE to check out Laguna Chuspi. We're talking a sky-high lake sitting at a whopping 14,419 feet! Getting there is half the fun... or maybe half the terror, depending on your driving skills. You'll be tackling Route 120, and trust me, it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, super narrow stretches, and mud – especially after it rains! A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. But wait, there's more! Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting with potential avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides. Oh, and did I mention the ice patches? Yeah, be extra careful. The climb is brutal, and the air gets thin. Seriously, that lack of oxygen is a beast. And altitude sickness? Most people start feeling it way before you even reach the lake, around 8,000-9,000 feet. But the views? Absolutely worth it. Just be prepared for a wild ride!
extremeAlto de la Cueva
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Alto de la Cueva in the Boyacá region of Colombia! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to 3,855 meters (12,647 feet) inside El Cocuy National Natural Park! The "road" – and I use that term loosely – is actually Carretera El Cocuy – Guicán, a gravel and rock rollercoaster. Think bumpy, tippy, and a true test for your off-roading skills. If you're not comfortable on unpaved mountain tracks, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is practically mandatory, and a fear of heights? Leave it at home. The air gets thin up here (seriously!), and the steepness is no joke. Altitude sickness is a real concern – most feel it above 2,500-2,800 meters, so pace yourself. The views, though? Absolutely unreal. Just be prepared for your engine to feel the lack of oxygen too!
extremeLa Pampa-Sihuas (Road 12A)
🇵🇪 Peru
Daredevils, listen up! Deep in central Peru, snaking through the magnificent Huascarán National Park, lies Carretera 12A – a gravel track that's more rollercoaster than road. Forget guardrails; you're playing chicken with gravity here, with sheer drops of hundreds of meters just inches from your tires. Vertigo sufferers, seriously, sit this one out. This epic 91.5 km route connects Sihuas (at a cool 2,725m above sea level) to La Pampa (dipping down to 1,796m), and it's a wild ride. Prepare for hairpin after hairpin as you climb to a dizzying 4,200m. It’s a true test of skill and nerves, and you’ll be sharing the road with lumbering log trucks, so stay sharp! The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Think mind-blowing mountain vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. But don't get too distracted – this narrow, exposed trail demands respect. Landslides and avalanches are a real threat, and one wrong move sends you tumbling. Oh, and a windy day? Hard pass. If you crave adventure and have nerves of steel, your wheels will be treated to views unlike anything else on Earth! Just be sure you know how to reverse.