
Cerro Carasilla
Chile, south-america
N/A
5,047 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're hunting for a serious off-road challenge in Chile's Antofagasta Region (smack dab near the Bolivian border), then Cerro Carasilla needs to be on your radar. We're talking a lung-busting 5,047 meters (16,558 feet) above sea level.
The road? Well, "road" is a generous term. It's more like a gnarly, rocky, gravelly path designed to test your mettle. Expect huge, jagged rocks that demand skillful driving to avoid shredding your tires. Seriously, come prepared!
This isn't a Sunday drive for the faint of heart (or lungs!). If you've got respiratory issues or heart problems, sit this one out. You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 beast with skid plates and diff lockers – stock vehicles need not apply!
The elements are another beast altogether. Expect brutal winds and crazy fast weather changes. Pack for cold, even in summer, because snow is a real possibility. Winter? Forget about it – bone-chilling doesn't even begin to describe it. This is a mine road, so expect some industrial scenery along the way... but the raw, untamed beauty of the high-altitude desert is absolutely worth it. Get ready for an epic, unforgettable experience!
Where is it?
Cerro Carasilla is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -31.4911, -70.2973
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 5,047 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -31.4911, -70.2973
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhat is the road to Abra de Rota like?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Salta and Jujuy provinces in wild northwest Argentina, practically spitting distance from Bolivia. You've reached Abra de Rota, a staggering 4,405 meters (14,452 feet) above sea level. Get ready for the silence and raw beauty of the high Puna. Think endless, arid landscapes, rolling brown hills under a vast sky, and air so thin it feels like you're on another planet. This is Ruta Provincial 205 (RP205), a lifeline for tiny communities clinging to this remote frontier. Forget schedules; Mother Nature calls the shots here. Blazing sun one minute, freezing temps or sudden storms the next, turning the tracks into slippery nightmares. So, what's the road like? It's a steady, challenging climb into the high-altitude desert starting near Yavi in Jujuy Province, snaking its way to the top for about 21.5 km (13.3 miles). The average gradient is gentle enough, but the altitude? Brutal. Expect loose, sandy gravel demanding a high-clearance vehicle (4WD is your best friend here). Is it dangerous? Yep, the altitude is the big one. Oxygen is scarce up here, so altitude sickness (soroche) is a real risk. There are a few tricky sections, like the riverbeds ("vados") near Olaroz Chico and Pastos Chicos. When it rains (and it does!), these can become impassable rivers of mud. So, pro tip: check local conditions first, pack extra fuel, water, and layers. Assistance out here can be hours, if not days, away.
extremeWhere 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.
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.
extremeHow dangerous is the drive from Barba Blanca to Autisha?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're in the Huarochirí Province of Peru's Lima Region and fancy a drive that'll make your palms sweat, the LM-116 (Barba Blanca to Autisha) is calling your name. This isn't your average Sunday cruise. We're talking about a 20km stretch carved right into the side of the Santa Eulalia River canyon, hugging vertical limestone walls. The road surface? Think gravel and packed earth, often so narrow that passing another vehicle becomes a delicate dance of reversing on ledges with a sheer drop of hundreds of meters on one side! Oh, and did I mention there are no guardrails? The views are insane, but the danger is real. This road climbs from near the Autisha Bridge (around 2,100m) and the drop-offs are truly dizzying. Vertigo sufferers, consider yourselves warned! Beyond the heights, you'll have to watch out for rockfalls that regularly block the path. The curves are blind, so honk your horn before every turn to avoid a head-on collision. It's a serious workout for your vehicle too, putting a strain on your brakes and cooling system. A high-clearance 4x4 is essential for this adventure. While locals use the road, it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Focus is key here - one mistake could be fatal. The best time to tackle this beast is during the dry season (May to September). Avoid the Andean winter when the gravel turns into a slippery mud bath and landslides become a major threat. Despite the risks, the LM-116 offers access to some incredible, untouched canyon scenery. Make sure your tires are in top condition, buckle up tight, and get ready for the ultimate cliff-hanging experience!