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
extremeHow to drive to Galeras Volcano in Pasto?
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Volcán Galeras in Colombia's Nariño department! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a 4,190m (13,746ft) stratovolcano nestled in the Andes, near Pasto. Oh, and did I mention it's the most active volcano in Colombia right now? The road to the top? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Imagine a completely unpaved track, twisting and turning with hairpin curves that'll make your head spin. Add in some seriously steep climbs and enough drop-offs to keep you wide awake, and you've got the picture. From Pasto, it's an 18.4 km (11.43 miles) climb with a whopping 1,410 m elevation gain. That’s an average gradient of 7.66%, so get ready for a workout! And once you reach the summit, you'll find yourself among a cluster of communication towers. The views on the way are incredible, though, so try to keep your eyes on the road!
moderateIs the road to Puna Jujeña unpaved?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're in northern Argentina, in the Rinconada Department, about to tackle an epic unpaved road trip up to Puna Jujeña. This high mountain pass sits way up there, so get ready for some serious altitude! The road itself? Think rugged – it’s all dirt. We're talking a north-south route stretching from Orosmayo to Coranzuli. It's not a super long drive, but what it lacks in length, it makes up for in scenery and, let's be honest, a bit of a challenge. You'll be navigating the straight Ruta Provincial 26 in La Pampa, and if you're heading toward El Aguilar, one of the highest towns on the planet, you're in for a treat! Just be prepared for some stunning views and maybe a bumpy ride or two!
hardA haunted paved road to Páramo La Negra
🌍 Venezuela
Okay, buckle up for an adventure to Páramo La Negra, a high-altitude paradise straddling the Táchira and Mérida states in Venezuela! Sitting pretty at 3,065m (10,055ft) within the Andes, this spot in the Páramos Batallón and La Negra National Park is a must-see. The road to the top, Carretera Trasandina (aka Troncal 7 or Route 7), is paved but get ready for a wild ride: it's narrow, steep, and packed with more twists and turns than you can count. Oh, and did I mention the frequent mist and fog? Trust me, this is one road trip you'll want to savor. The views are absolutely extraordinary, so plan to stop often at the viewpoints along the way. And when you finally reach the summit, treat yourself to a cup of joe at Cafetin el Portachuelo. The 47.2 km (29.32 miles) route winds from La Grita in Táchira to Bailadores in Mérida – a town with history dating back to 1578. Be warned: it's seriously chilly up here, even when the sun's out, and the wind can be fierce. Locals even say the road's haunted, with tales of ghost lights appearing at night!
hardConquer the Spectacular Paso Internacional Los Libertadores: Chile-Argentina Border Crossing
🇨🇱 Chile
# Paso Internacional Los Libertadores: One of the World's Most Epic Mountain Drives Chile and Argentina's border stretches over 5,000 miles, with most of it carved along the dramatic spine of the Andes Mountains. Between the two countries sits an incredible network of over 40 border crossings, but none compare to the sheer spectacle of Paso Internacional Los Libertadores—also known as Paso del Cristo Redentor. This fully paved route connects Santiago, Chile with Argentina's Mendoza region via two highways: Ruta 60 on the Chilean side and Ruta Nacional 7 on the Argentine side. The actual border crossing? It's hidden inside a tunnel. The Cristo Redentor tunnel stretches 3,080 meters across the border, sitting at a breathtaking 3,175 meters (10,417 feet) above sea level. Named after the iconic 4-ton Christ the Redeemer statue positioned at 3,832 meters (12,572 feet) on the Argentine entrance—installed way back in 1904—this crossing is absolutely legendary. Here's where it gets real: winter weather can shut this route down completely. Massive snowfall and rockfall threats mean you'll need serious patience and driving skills to tackle this beast. The Argentine side treats you to a relatively gentler climb through stunning rugged terrain, rewarding you with jaw-dropping views of Aconcagua, South America's highest peak, and the switchbacks snaking below. The Chilean side? Buckle up. This is where things get intense. Ruta 60 is essentially one of the world's most twisted roads—from above, it literally looks like a refrigerator coil. The notorious Los Caracoles section (Spanish for "the snails") features over 20 hairpin turns on an insanely steep climb. It's dramatically harder than the Argentine approach, and heavy trucks crawl through here daily, forming slow-moving convoys that look like actual snails from a distance. Despite being brutally challenging, the pass maintains a surprisingly solid safety record. Still, you'll want to remember: there are no guardrails, snow covers the road much of the year, and traffic gets intense with cargo trucks and tourist buses navigating these heights around the clock. But conquer it, and you'll have one unforgettable story.