An unforgettable road to Cuesta Codoceo
Chile, south-america
280 km
4,342 m
extreme
Year-round
Hey adventure seekers! Ever heard of Cuesta Codoceo (aka Portezuelo Codoceo)? This high-altitude mountain pass sits way up at 4,342m (14,245ft) in Chile's Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, Atacama Region.
You'll find it along Ruta 31-CH, a 280 km unpaved road that's totally doable in most cars when it's dry. The route kicks off in Copiapó and winds its way to the Argentinian border. Expect a well-maintained gravel track, where even a 2WD with decent clearance can handle it safely at low speeds.
Now, heads up: the climb is brutal! Seriously, the lack of oxygen will test your limits, and the steepness is no joke. Keep an eye on the weather – sudden snowstorms and blizzards can make things super tricky. Plus, it's a desert climate, so expect wild temperature swings between hot days and freezing nights.
Oh, and if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a little gravel track at the top that climbs even higher to Portezuelo Caballo Muerto at 4,410m (14,468ft).
But the real reward? The stunning scenery! You'll be cruising through remote areas, including the breathtaking Salar de Aguas Calientes. Trust me, this is an unforgettable experience!
Where is it?
An unforgettable road to Cuesta Codoceo is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -37.0998, -71.2614
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 280 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,342 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -37.0998, -71.2614
Related Roads in south-america
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!
hardTravel guide to the top of Cerro Pachon
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Coquimbo Region of Chile, heading towards the Andes foothills, right? Your destination? The summit of Cerro Pachón, a staggering 2,696 meters (8,845 feet) high! The road, Camino Centro Astronómico, is mostly paved with a few concrete sections thrown in for good measure, but the final 200 meters is a smooth, graded dirt track. The climb from the D317 road is just shy of 15 kilometers (9.25 miles), with a hefty 951-meter elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 6.38 percent, so get ready for a steady climb! Up top, you're rewarded with views and some serious space-age tech. We're talking the Gemini South Telescope, the SOAR Telescope, and soon, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory – a game-changer in astronomy. This place is all about peering into the cosmos, so expect scenery that’s literally out of this world. A word of caution: due to the altitude, this trip isn't recommended if you have hypertension, cardiovascular, or lung problems. Little ones under 6 aren’t allowed either. But for everyone else? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
moderateAn Andean mountain road to Pehuenche Pass
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Paso Pehuenche is calling your name. This high-altitude beauty straddles the border between Argentina (Mendoza Province) and Chile (Maule Region) at a cool 8,389 feet above sea level. We're talking a fully paved road trip (thanks to the 2018 upgrade!) stretching 104 miles between Las Loicas, Argentina, and San Clemente, Chile. Just hop on Ruta Nacional 145 (Argentina) or CH 115 (Chile) and get ready for some serious scenery. Factor in about 2.5 to 3.5 hours of pure driving bliss (without stops, of course!). Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife – they love hanging out in the high country. And hold on tight, because this route isn't shy about its steepness, with gradients hitting a max of 11% in places! Nestled deep in the Andes, Paso Pehuenche is typically open from December to March, weather permitting. So, pack your bags, check those dates, and prepare for an unforgettable ride!
moderateIs Abra Blanca paved?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up for Abra Blanca, a high-altitude mountain pass soaring over above sea level, right in the heart of Yep, it's paved! The road to the summit is smooth sailing , thanks to some work done back in the , which replaced a former gravel road called That original gravel route? Supposedly a beast, tackling a with a seriously intense switchback of You'll find Abra Blanca as part of called Ruta Nacional 51 (RN51) taking you from San Antonio de los Cobres When you hit the summit, keep an eye out for a , and maybe even a few ! The views are unreal, especially the San Antonio de Los Cobres plateau way down below. You're only about 13 kilometers from the town of San Antonio de Los Cobres, a cool spot to explore. This isn't just any road trip, though. Back in the day, Abra Blanca used to be a record holder. When this part of the country was still under the Government of the Andes , Abra Blanca became the highest drivable road , thanks to a daring drive by Governor Mayor Brígido Zavaleta But times have changed and it became the world’s highest drivable road It may not be a record-breaker anymore, but there’s a and – usually – a bunch of left by fellow adventurers to mark the spot. Trust me, Abra Blanca is still worth a detour