Cerro Capi

Cerro Capi

Chile, south-america

Length

7 km

Elevation

965 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Chile's Atacama Desert lurks Cerro Capi, a mountain reaching a sky-high 965 meters. Trust me, getting to the top – also called Cerro Las Antenas, thanks to all the communication towers up there – is no Sunday drive. We're talking a bone-jarring, 7-kilometer thrill ride up a gravelly, ridiculously steep path. Seriously, some sections hit a crazy 15% grade! This is strictly 4x4 territory, folks. Prepare for narrow passages, heart-stopping climbs, and views that'll make it all worth it. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road… if you can tear them away from the incredible scenery, that is.

Where is it?

Cerro Capi is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.6133, -70.0882

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Chile
Continent
south-america
Length
7 km
Max Elevation
965 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-34.6133, -70.0882

Related Roads in south-america

Where is the road to Cordón de Inacaliri?extreme

Where is the road to Cordón de Inacaliri?

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Chile and Bolivia, deep in the heart of the Central Andes. You're about to tackle a mining road that claws its way up the side of a massive volcano – Curiquinca Volcano. This isn't just any road; it's one of the highest in the country! Forget smooth asphalt; this is a brutal mix of gravel and loose rock. We're talking strictly 4x4 with serious high clearance. Finding the exact route can be a challenge because the landscape is constantly changing due to crazy high-altitude winds. It starts near Inacaliri, and from there, it's a bumpy, "tippy" ride that demands your full attention. The elevation? Intense. You're talking a lung-busting climb where you're dealing with about 40% less oxygen than at sea level. Seriously, altitude sickness is a real risk here. Movement gets tough, and your heart rate will be through the roof. If you've got any respiratory or heart issues, or you're traveling with a baby, this isn't the trip for you. When can you even attempt this adventure? Probably only during the summer months, but even then, be prepared for anything. The weather in the Andes is wildly unpredictable. You could encounter snowy days in the middle of summer! High winds are a constant, and temperatures can plummet way below freezing, especially in winter. Ice and snow can turn that rocky road into a seriously slick hazard. So, load up on extra fuel, oxygen, and cold-weather gear before you leave Inacaliri. The scenery? Totally worth the challenge.

Tucohard

Tuco

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the Peruvian Andes, nestled in the Cordillera Blanca within the Huascarán National Park, lies Tuco. This isn't your average mountain town; we're talking a staggering 15,501 feet (4,725m) above sea level! The road there? Well, let's just say your trusty 4x4 will be your best friend on this gravel track, officially known as AN844. The ascent is brutal, a real lung-buster thanks to the seriously thin air. Trust me, you'll feel the altitude kicking in way before you even get close – most people start feeling it around 8,000-9,000 feet. By the time you reach Tuco, oxygen will be a precious commodity. Word of warning: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Don't even think about attempting this drive in bad weather. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are a very real possibility at any time. But if you're prepared for a challenge, the views are absolutely worth it!

Where is the SC-390 road?hard

Where is the SC-390 road?

🇧🇷 Brazil

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the southeast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, on SC-390 (aka Rodovia Daniel Brüning), and it's like you've entered a postcard. This isn't just any road; it's a wild 12.87km (8 miles) of paved switchbacks clinging to the Serra do Rio do Rastro mountain range, hitting a peak elevation of 1,465m (4,806ft). Built way back in 1903, this road throws you into a world of hairpin turns – we're talking 250 of them! The average gradient is a steep 9.2% as you descend from nearly 4,800 feet to sea level in just eight miles. Watch out for those crags and deep ravines! On clear days, you can even glimpse the Atlantic Ocean, roughly 100 km (62 mi) in the distance. And the views? Lakes, waterfalls, native critters, and mind-blowing nature everywhere you look. This area is straight-up one of Brazil's most gorgeous spots. Plus, there’s usually very little traffic. Heads up: while the road's lit by wind turbines, winter (June-August) can get super foggy. Summer's your best bet, but even then, keep an eye on the weather. The average temp hangs around 12° C due to the altitude and ocean proximity, but nearby Sao Joaquim da Serra can dip below freezing with snow in the winter!

Where is Punta Olimpica Tunnel?moderate

Where is Punta Olimpica Tunnel?

🇵🇪 Peru

Nestled high in the Peruvian Andes, in the Ancash region, lies the incredible Punta Olimpica Tunnel! At a staggering 4,735m (15,535ft) above sea level, it’s one of the highest tunnels you'll ever drive through. Where exactly is this beauty? You'll find it snuggled in the Cordillera Blanca range, on the road connecting Acochaca to Carhuaz, linking the Callejón de Huaylas and Conchucos valleys. This fully paved tunnel, part of Ruta departamental AN-107, stretches 1,384 meters (0.860 miles) long, is 7.20 meters wide, and stands tall at 6.5 meters. Though generally open year-round, keep an eye out for occasional snow closures. Oh, and the name? It's a nod to Peru's epic football victory at the 1936 Berlin Olympics! Completed in 2013 after a pretty quick construction period, this tunnel isn’t just a marvel of engineering, it’s a HUGE time saver! It bypasses the old Punta Olimpica Road, which has fallen into disrepair, complete with boulder obstructions and subsidence. The tunnel cut the 80 km journey time from a whopping 9 hours to a much more manageable 2.5 hours! For a while, it was the highest tunnel in the world and remains the highest in South America. Get ready for some seriously breathtaking views on either side of the tunnel, too!