
Driving the road to Cerro Gigante is not a piece of cake
Bolivia, south-america
15.2 km
5,286 m
hard
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
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 15.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,286 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -16.3356, -64.4722
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