Highest roads of Bolivia
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Bolivia, a South American giant the size of California and Texas put together, is a land of extremes! Think Himalayas-level mountains but smack-dab in the Andes. This country's got it all: sky-high peaks, the desolate Altiplano plateau, and crazy-steep, humid valleys. If you're a driver seeking adventure, you're in the right place.
Prepare for some seriously high-altitude driving, with roads that hug cliff faces and hairpin turns that will make your jaw drop. You'll find some of the highest, most remote, and utterly breathtaking mountain passes you could ever imagine on this continent.
Some top contenders for epic drives include the Portezuelo Sairécabur, the road to Minas San Pablo Lipez, the international Chungara-Tambo Quemado Pass, and tackling Ollague Volcano—one of South America's highest routes. Get ready for the ride of your life!
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
moderateA paved road to Laguna Miscanti
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure awaits in the Chilean altiplano! We're heading to Laguna Miscanti, a stunning mountain lake chilling way up at 4,120 meters (that's 13,517 feet for you imperial system folks!). The road there? Newly paved, which is a bonus. But don't think it's a cakewalk. This climb is a real lung-buster, thanks to the seriously thin air. Prepare to feel the burn, and maybe a bit of altitude sickness – most people start feeling it way before you even get there! The views are incredible, though. It's one of those drives where you'll be stopping every five minutes to snap photos, even if you’re gasping for breath.
hardApacheta de Irpa o Cancosa Pass
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Paso Apacheta de Irpa o Cancosa! This international mountain pass straddling the Chile-Bolivia border soars to a whopping 4,010 meters (13,156 feet) above sea level. Forget smooth asphalt, you'll be tackling a gravel road here, and trust me, the climb is brutal. The air is thin, making every breath a challenge, and the steepness is relentless. Altitude sickness is a real concern, so listen to your body! Rain turns this track into a muddy, slippery mess, so be prepared. The border crossing is open from 8am to 6pm. While all vehicles *can* attempt it, a high-clearance 4x4 is HIGHLY recommended. Seriously, this road is ROUGH. Attempting it in a 2WD car? Let's just say you might be shopping for a new ride soon after. But, if you're up for the challenge, the views are absolutely unreal.
hardWhere is Pascua Lama?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, so you wanna hit up Pascua Lama? This insane international peak straddles the border between Argentina and Chile. It's seriously high, so be prepared for some thin air! You'll find this beast north of the town of Alto del Carmen, chilling in the southern part of the Atacama Desert. Once you conquer the summit, you'll be standing pretty close to the Pascua Lama mine site, which, FYI, is a point of contention with the local community. The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think super steep, unpaved mining road. It's a tough climb, to say the least. Now, a word of caution: this drive is NOT a walk in the park. If you've got any respiratory or heart issues, seriously reconsider. The altitude sickness is real, and it'll kick your engine's butt, too. Expect altitude effects around 13,000 feet! Oh, and there's also the Rio Encuentro bridge crossing between Argentina and Chile to look out for. Trust me, the views are insane, but this adventure definitely comes with some serious challenges.
hardAn epic road to Abra Progreso in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! I just conquered Abra Progreso, a beast of a mountain pass way up in the Peruvian Andes. We're talking seriously high altitude here – 4,432 meters (14,540 feet) to be exact! You'll find it nestled in the Grau Province. The road? Well, let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. It's a 33.7 km (20.94 miles) stretch of unpaved road that winds its way from Progreso to Kenco Ccasa. Don't worry, you can totally do it in any car, but be prepared for a bumpy ride. And some seriously steep inclines – we're talking gradients of up to 7.1%! The air gets thin up there, so take it easy and enjoy the views. You'll be driving right through the Pampas Galeras National Reserve, so keep your eyes peeled for wildlife. It's a raw and beautiful landscape that you won't forget.