Cerro Chajnantor, an awe-inspiring route in the Atacama desert
Chile, south-america
13.86 km
5,635 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Chile's Atacama Desert awaits Cerro Chajnantor, clocking in at a staggering 18,487 feet. We're talking serious altitude here, making it one of South America's highest roads!
Forget smooth asphalt; this is a raw, unpaved challenge best tackled with a 4x4 beast. The landscape is seriously otherworldly, but also seriously dry and unforgiving. The prize? A 20-foot telescope perched at the summit, making it the highest astronomical site on the planet!
Built back in '06, this climb isn't for the faint of heart (literally!). If you've got respiratory issues or heart problems, sit this one out. The air is THIN, and the road is STEEP. Seriously, most people start feeling the effects of altitude sickness way before you even get close to the top. Expect your engine to struggle too!
The paved road is your starting point for this 8.6-mile ascent. The climb gains a whopping 2,769 feet, averaging a 6% gradient. Brace yourself for an unforgettable ride — and maybe bring some oxygen!
Where is it?
Cerro Chajnantor, an awe-inspiring route in the Atacama desert is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -38.8017, -69.7736
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 13.86 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,635 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -38.8017, -69.7736
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