Driving the road to Cerro Gigante is not a piece of cake

Driving the road to Cerro Gigante is not a piece of cake

Bolivia, south-america

Length

15.2 km

Elevation

5,286 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Cerro Gigante in Bolivia's La Paz Department! This beast of a mountain pass climbs to a staggering 5,286m (17,342ft), making it one of the highest in the country.

You'll find it north of the stunning Lago Laramcota, deep in western Bolivia.

Now, let's be real: this isn't your Sunday drive. The entire 15.2 km (9.44 miles) route from Rodeo is completely unpaved, throwing narrow stretches, sharp turns, and plenty of rocks your way. Trust me, you'll NEED a 4x4.

But the views? Absolutely epic! Carved into the Kimsa Cruz range of the Andes, this road punches up 1,005 meters, averaging a 6.61% gradient. Get ready for your jaw to drop with every twist and turn!

Where is it?

Driving the road to Cerro Gigante is not a piece of cake is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.3356, -64.4722

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Bolivia
Continent
south-america
Length
15.2 km
Max Elevation
5,286 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-16.3356, -64.4722

Related Roads in south-america

A gravel road to Planchon Pass in the Andeshard

A gravel road to Planchon Pass in the Andes

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Paso del Planchón, a seriously epic high-altitude pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border at a whopping 8,251 feet! We're talking rugged Andes Mountains scenery here. This beast, also known as Paso Internacional Vergara, is a 121-mile dirt road stretching from Las Loicas, Argentina (Mendoza Province) to Curicó, Chile (Maule Region). Forget smooth pavement – this is raw, unadulterated travel, complete with sandy stretches that'll test your driving skills. On the Argentina side, it's Ruta Provincial 226, morphing into J-55 once you cross into Chile. Now, a heads-up: this pass isn't always ready for visitors. It’s usually only open from November to April, when they fix it up for tourists and mining folks. The climate is super dry, with wild temperature swings. Think sun-baked days and freezing nights – summer highs around 59°F and winter lows plummeting to -13°F!

Where is Ruta Nacional 25?hard

Where is Ruta Nacional 25?

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because Ruta Nacional 25 in Bolivia is a wild ride! This high-altitude beauty snakes its way across the country's western spine, south of the famous Salar de Uyuni. Think seriously epic mountain landscapes. What's cool is that RN25 connects the sleepy town of Colquechaca (the highest town in Bolivia, no less!) to the vibrant "City of Eternal Spring," Sucre. Starting near Sucre, you'll climb to a lung-busting altitude before dropping down to Colquechaca. Spanning around, this isn't your Sunday drive. Expect sections that are more like goat paths than roads, and be prepared to ford a river or two! The whole route is a rollercoaster of steep climbs, white-knuckle descents, and hairpin curves that demand your undivided attention. Seriously, think twice about tackling this one at night or in bad weather if you're not experienced. Rain can wash out sections faster than you can say "landslide!" Plus, prepare for non-stop switchbacks and solitude – traffic can be sparse. And if your passengers get carsick easily, maybe pack some ginger ale – those twists and turns are not for the faint of stomach!

Driving the Dizzying Road to Cotahuasi Canyonextreme

Driving the Dizzying Road to Cotahuasi Canyon

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle what some say is the DEEPEST canyon in the Americas? Head to the Arequipa region of Peru, Province of La Union, and get ready for the Cañon de Cotahuasi! This beast separates the Solimana and Kopuna ranges deep in the Andes. We're talking a canyon that plunges over 11,000 feet, making the Grand Canyon look like a kiddie pool. The landscape is seriously unreal, a total feast for the eyes. Remote doesn't even begin to describe it, but the views are SO worth it. Carved by the Cotahuasi River, it's a place of hot springs, cascading waterfalls, and quaint villages like Cotahuasi, with its charming church. Keep your eyes peeled for condors soaring overhead, vicuñas grazing, and maybe even a sneaky Andean fox! Plus, you'll spot ancient pre-Incan terraces clinging to the canyon walls. Now, about that road... buckle up! This winding, unpaved track stretches for about 22 miles from Cotahuasi to Quechualla, and it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking hairpin turns, sheer drop-offs, and a whole lotta dust. A 4x4 is an absolute MUST. But trust me, the views from the start all the way down into the canyon are breathtaking. Protected by the Reserva Paisajística Subcuenca del Cotahuasi, this drive is an experience you won't soon forget. Hit this road during the dry season (June-September) for the best conditions. Avoid the rainy season (December-March) when things get muddy and the river swells. And pro tip: don't forget the bug spray – the mosquitos can be fierce!

The Moto Igualada – Aconcagua – Amazon Expeditionmoderate

The Moto Igualada – Aconcagua – Amazon Expedition

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, picture this: you're in Argentina, Mendoza Province to be exact, staring up at Aconcagua. This beast of a mountain boasts a peak at a whopping 6,961 meters (that's 22,838 feet!). Seriously, this is South American high country at its finest, snaking through the majestic Andes. Back in '77, some crazy-talented Spanish riders took on the challenge. They rode their Bultaco Sherpa T 183 motorcycles up this monster, reaching a record-breaking altitude for motorcycling. These guys were from the Moto Club Igualada and seriously knew their stuff. They conquered a staggering 6,800 meters on modified Sherpa T 350 cc motorcycles, smashing the previous record set on Kilimanjaro a few years prior. These bikes, the Bultaco Sherpa T, were legends in their own right, holding their own against other top Catalan motorcycles and gaining international recognition. Just imagine the views, the air getting thinner with every meter, and the sheer thrill of the ride! Definitely one for the bucket list if you're a thrill-seeking traveler.