
Driving to Parinacota, One of the Highest Towns in the World
Chile, south-america
89 km
4,389 m
moderate
Year-round
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!
Where is it?
Driving to Parinacota, One of the Highest Towns in the World is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.1978, -72.1383
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 89 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,389 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -34.1978, -72.1383
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhen was the road to Cerro Aucanquilcha built?
🇨🇱 Chile
Cerro Aucanquilcha is a massive stratovolcano located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. An old mine road used to run to the top, but now much of it about 5.500m (18,044ft) above sea level has been wiped out by landslides. For many years it was the highest drivable road in the world When was the road to Cerro Aucanquilcha built? Set high in the northern part of the country, part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes, the road to the summit is totally unpaved, but no longer usable by vehicles. Mining originally began on the volcano in 1913, initially using llamas as pack animals to carry down the sulfur. An aerial cable system extending for 22 km (14 mi) was completed in 1935, to lower the sulfur in buckets. Eventually this was replaced in 1972 by the road which switchbacked up to the summit and was capable of supporting 20-ton mining trucks. It was the world's highest mine during that period. It’s one of the highest roads of South America Can you drive to the summit of Cerro Aucanquilcha? Located to the west of the border with Bolivia, within the Alto Loa National Reserve one of the highest roads of Chile This is an extremely tough road to try and climb up on a bike. The terrible surface and steep gradients meant that with loaded bikes you will have to push about 80% of the way from 4,000m to a high point at 5,130m. Although a number of people have taken their bikes to the summit, the surface on many stretches of the road is very bad or even blocked due to landslides. However, there are sections of rideable road all the way to the summit. At the summit itself it would also be possible to ride around a bit. Since the mine closed in 1993 much of the road has fallen into disrepair. Motorized use is no longer possible. How is the climb to Cerro Aucanquilcha? The existence of the old road makes it relatively easy to get to the summit on foot if you are well acclimatized and the old mining camp at 5,280m makes a good base camp as there are walls to shelter your tent. The winds in this area can be fierce and especially in winter the nights can be extremely cold. The highest permanent human habitation was a galvanized iron hut acting as a miners' barracks, with 4 workers, at about 5,500 m (18,000 ft). Pic: Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 4.0 ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 )], via Wikimedia Commons Conquering the scenic Y290 road in the Chilean Patagonia A dangerous and difficult road to Guallatiri Volcano Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeThe Ultimate Road Trip To Abra de la Cruz in Jujuy
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to the extreme northwest of Argentina, you HAVE to check out Abra de la Cruz. This beast of a mountain pass sits way up high in Jujuy province, clocking in at a whopping 4,556 meters (that's nearly 15,000 feet!). Seriously, it's one of the highest roads you'll find in the country. The road, officially Ruta Provincial 15, stretches for about 50 km (31 miles) between Rodeo Colorado (Salta Province) and Casillas (Jujuy Province), and let me tell you, it's an experience. Forget smooth asphalt; this is strictly unpaved territory. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle, and after a bit of rain, you might even want to think about 4x4. Expect endless hairpin turns, crazy steep climbs, and views that will blow your mind. Just take it slow and soak it all in!
extremeRuta Provincial 13
🇦🇷 Argentina
Ready for an Argentinian adventure? Provincial Route 13, snaking through the Andes in Mendoza Province, is a gravel road that will leave you breathless. Think epic scenery as you crawl along dry riverbeds and conquer mountain passes. This 86.2 km (53.5 miles) track connects Mendoza (888m/2,913ft) with Uspallata near the Chilean border (1,898m/6,227ft). Forget your sports car; this is 4x4 territory! Seriously, unless you're itching for a new ride, leave the 2WD at home. Locals call it Camino Las Lajas or The Route of the Telegrapher – an old route that used to link Argentina and Chile. Legend says it has 365 turns! The highest point soars to 3,110m (10,203ft), so snow can shut things down anytime. And watch out for heavy mist; visibility can drop to zero. The road is rough, narrow, and steep. Never go solo. A GPS is crucial, and be prepared for a 3-4 hour journey. Avoid severe weather at all costs, because avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides happen. Patches of ice are common. But if you're experienced and prepared, Route 13 will be an unforgettable experience.
moderateWhere is Kahuish Tunnel?
🇵🇪 Peru
Cruising through Ancash, Peru? You HAVE to check out the Tunel de Kahuish! This baby sits at a whopping 14,816 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest tunnels on the planet. You'll find it nestled in the northern part of the country, right inside Huascarán National Park in the Cordillera Blanca mountains. Keep an eye out for the awesome Christ statue (Cristo Blanco) overlooking the valley right after you exit. Built as part of a big road project that kicked off way back in 1927, constructing this tunnel was no joke! Lots of dynamite and some serious risks went into blasting through the rock. Finally completed in 1941, it got a facelift in 2007. The AN-110 highway runs right through it, connecting Huaraz and Chavin. It carves its way through the valley of the Santa River, over the Cordillera Blanca, and down to the Marañon valley. Expect pavement on the west side of the tunnel, but things get a little more rugged with mostly unpaved sections on the east side. At 1,587 feet long, this unlit tunnel marks the highest point of the main road and is one of the longest in the country. Cyclists, be warned: there’s no alternate route, you have to go through the tunnel!