Driving the unpaved road to Cienaga de Paicone-Rio Mojon Pass
Bolivia, south-america
12 km
3,645 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for an adventure at the Paso Internacional Ciénaga de Paicone-Río Mojón! This high-altitude border crossing sits way up at 3,645 meters (that's almost 12,000 feet!) straddling Argentina and Bolivia.
You'll find it connecting the remote northwest of Argentina's Jujuy Province with the wild southwestern Sur Lípez Province of Bolivia.
The road itself is a 12-kilometer (around 7.5 miles) stretch of unpaved road that runs from the Argentinian town of Ciénega (also known as Ciénega de Paicone) up to Río Mojón on the Bolivian side. The road is generally in good condition, but the views are absolutely spectacular!
Where is it?
Driving the unpaved road to Cienaga de Paicone-Rio Mojon Pass is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -15.7587, -62.9630
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 12 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,645 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -15.7587, -62.9630
Related Roads in south-america
moderateDriving to Parinacota, One of the Highest Towns in the World
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, so Parinacota! Picture this: a tiny town clinging to the Andes at a staggering 14,400 feet! Seriously, this is one of the highest places you can actually drive to. You'll find it nestled in northern Chile, practically spitting distance from Bolivia, in the gorgeous Lauca National Park. The whole area is a visual feast. Think snow-dusted volcanoes like Pomerape and Sajama piercing the sky, steamy hot springs bubbling away, and these crazy-beautiful high-altitude lakes – Chungará and the Cotacotani Lagoons. Plus, wetlands bursting with all sorts of weird and wonderful plants and animals. The road itself? It's called A-93, and it's a smooth, paved 55-mile stretch connecting Chucuyo to Visviri, the main hub of the General Lagos area. It's been fully paved since the early 2020s. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery on this drive!
hardDriving a 4x4 mine road to Acotango Volcano in the Andes
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! There's this crazy mining trail on the border of Bolivia and Chile that climbs Volcán Acotango, a beast of a volcano in the Andes, smack-dab in Sajama National Park. This isn't your Sunday drive; we're talking a rugged, unpaved road that snakes its way up to a lung-busting 5,509 meters (18,074 feet)! The road kicks off from the Chachacomani-Tambo Quemado road in Bolivia's Departamento de Oruro and grinds its way to a sulfur mine clinging to the mountainside. You can make it to base camp around 4,900 meters, and the road stays relatively sane until about 5,250 meters. Beyond that, hold on tight – it gets seriously steep and the surface starts to crumble. This trek isn't just about altitude; it's about the mind-blowing scenery of the Andean highlands. Think sweeping vistas, endless skies, and a landscape that'll make you feel like you're on another planet. Keep in mind this road's usually only open during the summer, but Mother Nature calls the shots. Avalanches and heavy snow can shut things down in a heartbeat. A word of warning: don't even think about climbing the summit from the Chilean side, because of landmines! The Bolivian side is supposedly safer. The conditions here are known to change rapidly, so be prepared for a challenge!
extremeWhere is Santa Rosa Mine?
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up! We're heading to Peru, near the Arichua volcano on the border of Moquegua and Puno regions, to check out the road to the Santa Rosa Mine. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about reaching a staggering 16,840 feet (5,133 meters) above sea level, putting you among the world's highest mines! The roughly 25-mile (40 km) route from Santa Rosa is a wild ride. Expect a rollercoaster of narrow passages, seriously steep climbs, and hairpin turns galore. And be prepared for some seriously harsh weather – think extreme sun, crazy winds, and that classic high-altitude chill. But hey, you'll be snaking through the majestic Andes Mountains!
extremeWhere is the road to Cerro Las Campanas?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: You're smack-dab in the Atacama Desert of Northern Chile, about halfway between Vallenar and La Serena, ready to hit a road like no other. This isn't your Sunday drive—this is a trek to Cerro Las Campanas, home to a world-class observatory perched high in the mountains! The road stretches for a good while, twisting and turning away from the Pan-American Highway and diving deep into the rugged Atacama. We're talking a mix of paved sections and seriously dusty gravel. It's maintained, sure, to keep the fancy telescope gear moving, but it's still raw and untamed. Get ready to climb. Seriously climb. You're gaining over 4,300 feet in elevation, and some stretches are seriously steep. The gravel can be loose, and the infamous "camanchaca" mist can roll in off the Pacific, dropping visibility to near zero. Those steep drop-offs? Yeah, they'll keep you honest. Don't even think about taking the weather lightly. Up at nearly 8,000 feet, it's harsh. Wind howls year-round, and winter temps bite hard. Even in summer, random storms can dump snow. If you see white stuff or clouds brewing, back away slowly. Those grades and slippery surfaces? No fun in the middle of nowhere. But hey, if you make it, you're in for a treat! You'll arrive at one of the most important scientific outposts in the Southern Hemisphere. Five optical telescopes and a solar telescope stand proud against the insane backdrop. It's a working site, so respect the hustle, watch for service vehicles on the narrow road (you won't hear them coming!), and use low gear on the way down to save your brakes. This is a drive you won't forget!