Azufrera Tacora

Azufrera Tacora

Chile, south-america

Length

15.3 km

Elevation

4.09 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a wild one for you: the A-107, a gravel and rocky road leading to the abandoned Azufrera Tacora sulphur mine. This ghost town of Aguas Calientes sits right on the Chile-Peru border at a staggering 4,518m (14,822ft) above sea level.

This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a 4x4 track, and a brutal climb. The air is thin, *really* thin, so be prepared to feel the altitude – most people start feeling it way lower, around 2,500-2,800 meters. Starting from Tacora (already at a hefty 4,090m), it's a 15.3km trek. And pro-tip: watch where you're going – seriously. There could be a mine field! But hey, imagine the views. Just remember to check the weather; you do *not* want to be up here in a storm.

Where is it?

Azufrera Tacora is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -37.8210, -70.8251

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Road Details

Country
Chile
Continent
south-america
Length
15.3 km
Max Elevation
4.09 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-37.8210, -70.8251

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