How to drive the remote 4x4 route to Abra Mallachuma?
Bolivia, south-america
67.8 km
5,131 m
hard
Year-round
Hey thrill-seekers! Ever dreamed of touching the sky? Abra Mallachuma in Bolivia lets you do just that, topping out at a staggering 5,131m (16,833ft)! Nestled in the La Paz Department, west of Quime in the Inquisivi Province, this is Andean adventure at its finest.
Forget smooth asphalt; this is raw, unpaved mining track, folks! You'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle the narrow paths and seriously steep ascents. Trust me, the insane views of the lagoons make it worth every bump and lurch. Just keep your eyes on the road — we're talking major drop-offs and exposed edges that'll test your nerves.
The 67.8 km (42.12 miles) route from Araca to Rodeo is a north-south rollercoaster ride. Be warned: there's nothing out here. No gas stations, no snack shacks, nada.
Oh, and did I mention you're basically living above 5,000m (16,400ft) the whole time? The air is thin, and altitude sickness is a real threat – headaches, dizziness, the works. Even your ride might feel sluggish! And the weather? It can flip from sunny to snowy in a heartbeat, so pack accordingly. Acclimatize beforehand, hydrate like crazy, and don't push yourself. Bring layers, water, and emergency supplies – you're out in the wild!
Where is it?
How to drive the remote 4x4 route to Abra Mallachuma? is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.8929, -63.7974
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 67.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,131 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -16.8929, -63.7974
Related Roads in south-america
moderateDriving the international San Francisco Pass in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're heading to Paso de San Francisco, a seriously epic international mountain pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border. We're talking sky-high – a whopping 15,616 feet above sea level! This beauty connects Argentina's Catamarca province with Chile's Atacama Region, carving right through the heart of the Andes. Think volcanoes, towering peaks, shimmering salt flats, and stunning lagoons as your backdrop. On the Argentina side, you'll be cruising on Ruta 60, a fully paved road stretching 125 miles from Fiambala. Get ready for some steep climbs and twisty turns as you wind your way up. Chile's side, Ruta CH-31, is also paved as of 2019! This stretch clocks in at about 174 miles from Copiapó. Along the way, you'll hug the Maricunga salt flat in Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and pass the unreal Laguna Verde.
hardPaso Cacanapunta
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle a beast of a pass in Peru? I'm talking about Cacanapunta Pass, chilling way up high in the Ancash Region at a staggering 13,654 feet! This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and a whole lotta shaking. Winter? Forget about it – impassable. This one's for the seasoned off-roaders. If you're not comfy on unpaved mountain roads, maybe grab a postcard instead. But hold on, because the reward is HUGE! Picture this: insane, wide-open views of the wild Huayhuash mountains. Seriously breathtaking. 4x4 highly recommended, and if heights aren't your thing, maybe skip this one too. It's STEEP. And when it's wet? Muddy mayhem! Heads up: you're climbing high, so take it easy. The air gets thin, and you'll feel it. Most people start feeling the altitude around 8,200-9,200 feet, and up here near the top, oxygen is scarce. But you know what? It's SO worth it. You'll be straddling the South American Continental Divide, with views of snow-capped peaks like Ninashancaa and Rondoy, plus the stunning Pucacocha Lake. Unforgettable!
moderateHow to drive to Perdidos Canyon in the Peruvian desert?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay adventurers, buckle up for El Cañón de los Perdidos in Peru's Ica province! This hidden gem, only discovered in 2011, stretches for 5 km through the Ocucaje Desert, halfway between Ica and Nazca. Forget the crowds, because this place is wild and untouched. Word of warning: finding this canyon is part of the adventure! You'll be off-roading through the desert with sections of the road missing or unmarked. A good GPS or experienced guide is crucial unless you like the idea of becoming truly 'lost.' The 50 km track from the Panamericana Sur highway demands a 4x4 to navigate those desert dunes. Watch out for bandits, and be prepared for isolation. There’s no phone signal. But trust me, the scenery is worth it! You'll be cruising past crazy rock formations before arriving at the canyon. Carved by the Río Seco, the canyon plunges 400 meters deep, with a lagoon and is a haven for vultures. Keep your eyes peeled for fossils – this area was once an ancient seabed. The canyon is about 2 km long, with four distinct levels to explore. Get ready to be blown away by the raw, untamed beauty of this desert oasis!
extremeTrampolín del Diablo is a spooky road in the Andes
🇨🇴 Colombia
# The Mocoa to San Francisco Road: Beauty and Danger in the Colombian Andes Nestled in Colombia's Putumayo Department, the winding route between Mocoa and San Francisco is equal parts breathtaking and terrifying. This 74.8 km stretch through the Valley of Sibundoy has earned some seriously ominous nicknames—"Devil's Trampoline," "Bye Bye My Life," and "Death's Trampoline"—and honestly, once you drive it, you'll understand why. Built way back in 1930 to move soldiers during the Colombia-Peru conflict, this mostly unpaved road is a serious test of driving skills. Plan on spending 3-4 hours behind the wheel if you want to tackle it without stopping. The narrow, single-lane gravel surface clings to steep mountainsides with minimal guardrails and plenty of sheer drops. Blind corners around every bend demand your complete attention, and you'll share the road with aggressive drivers who seem to have zero fear. What makes this route especially treacherous is the unpredictable nature of the mountains themselves. Frequent landslides threaten to send vehicles plummeting over the edge without warning. The road winds through dense forest with almost no signs of civilization, creating an isolated, wilderness atmosphere. The area sits perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist—don't count on clear skies here. The landscape is stunning, no question about it. But this beauty comes at a cost. The road has claimed hundreds of lives over the decades, with roadside crosses serving as somber reminders of its deadly history. If you're an experienced driver seeking an adrenaline rush and don't mind some serious risk, this Colombian mountain pass offers adventure you won't find anywhere else. Just remember: one mistake, and there's no second chance.