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
moderateThe Road to Abra Tsactsapunta in the Cordillera Blanca Is Not for Timid Drivers
🇵🇪 Peru
Abra Tsactsapunta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,472m (14,671ft) above sea level, located in the Yungay Province of Peru. The pass is located in the Ancash Region, in the western part of the country, high in the Cordillera Blanca range. The road through the pass is 30km (19 miles) long, running north-south from Cruz de Mayo to Huacho. The road to the pass is not easy. It’s unpaved, with loose rocks, unprotected by guardrails, featuring dangerous drops and about 30 hairpin turns. The weather is always a concern, as the area is often covered in fog. The road is pretty remote, so it’s better to travel accompanied. In perfect weather, a high-clearance vehicle is required, and a 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended.Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson 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.
moderateAntiguo Puente de Pailón is a challenging bridge in Bolivia
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, so picture this: You're in Bolivia, near the little town of Pailón, and you stumble upon what *was* one of the coolest bridges ever! I'm talking about the old Pailón bridge, a wooden wonder stretching almost a mile (1.4km) across the Río Grande. Built way back in the 1950s, it was this super rickety, single-lane affair where trains ALWAYS had the right-of-way. Can you imagine?! Sadly, it's been replaced by a shiny new bridge right next to it, so the old one is out of commission now. Still, what a sight it must have been! Now, buckle up for a wild ride on El Angosto, deep in the Andes. This isn't your average scenic route; it's known as one of the world's most treacherous roads, heading towards the Salar de Ollague Pass. Get ready for some serious elevation and heart-stopping views – if you dare to look!
extremeDriving the wild 100km road to Portezuelo Maricunga in the Atacama Desert
🇨🇱 Chile
Portezuelo Maricunga: buckle up for an epic Andean adventure! This high mountain pass punches through the heart of Chile's Atacama Desert at a staggering 4,133m (13,559ft). Nestled inside the stunning Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, get ready for some seriously dramatic and remote scenery. The environment here is WILD. Think scorching daytime temps hitting 30°C, then plummeting below freezing at night, especially in winter. And hold onto your hat because the wind HOWLS across the salt flats and volcanic peaks, making an already tough journey even more challenging. Getting to the top is a desert expedition in itself. From La Puerta, you've got a grueling 100 km (62 miles) ahead of you on Route C-601. It's mostly loose gravel and deep sand, so get ready to work for it! As you climb higher, the road gets gnarlier with eight super-tight hairpin turns that'll test your skills (and your vehicle) in the thin air. You're totally on your own out here, so be prepared to be self-sufficient! Now, let's be real – driving to Portezuelo Maricunga isn't a walk in the park. Those rare desert rains can turn the sandy surface into a muddy, slippery mess, making traction a nightmare. After a storm, the road can become impassable, even for 4x4s. Plus, the high altitude can cause altitude sickness and zap your engine's power. Bottom line? Pack extra fuel, tons of water, and a reliable satellite phone – this is one of northern Chile's most remote "high roads"!
moderateTrans-Andean Highway, a drive you'll never forget
🌍 Venezuela
Okay, buckle up, road trip fans! Carretera Trasandina in Venezuela is calling your name. This isn't just a drive; it's a full-blown Andean adventure stretching 1,082km (672mi) from Caracas all the way to the Colombian border at San Antonio del Táchira. Picture this: you're cruising on a paved road (with some sturdy concrete bits), a highway with a fascinating history dating back to 1925. You'll wind through the states of Mérida, Trujillo, and Táchira, climbing, climbing, climbing until you hit the absolute peak at Pico El Águila Pass, a staggering 4,050m (13,287ft) above sea level! Keep an eye out for those infamous Andean landslides after a good rain, and sometimes heavy mist can roll in. Though it's usually open year-round, winter weather can cause temporary closures. Be prepared for some potholes and rough patches of asphalt, especially on the western side in Táchira – it's all part of the experience, right? This highway is a bit rugged.