How to Get by Car to Calakmul, a Maya Site
Mexico, north-america
35 km
45 m
moderate
Year-round
Deep in the jungles of the Yucatán Peninsula, in the Mexican state of Campeche, lies Calakmul, a massive Maya archaeological site. Picture this: you’re in the heart of the Calakmul Biosphere Reserve, about 22 miles from the Guatemalan border, heading towards what might have been the biggest city back in the Maya days.
Forget your average tourist traps; Calakmul was a major player, the capital of the Kingdom of the Snake (Kaan), giving Tikal a run for its money. We're talking over 6,000 structures here, including a towering pyramid that stretches 148 feet into the sky, plus tons of stelae covered in ancient carvings.
Now, getting there is an adventure in itself! From Conhuas, off Carretera 186, you’ve got a 40-mile drive ahead. It's all paved, but get ready for a long, winding, and narrow two-way road. There might be a few moments where you hope you don’t meet anyone coming the other way. Keep your eyes peeled for crossing howler monkeys and jaguars – yes, really!
Where is it?
How to Get by Car to Calakmul, a Maya Site is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 20.4873, -102.4500
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 35 km
- Max Elevation
- 45 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 20.4873, -102.4500
Related Roads in north-america
moderateIs Babyshoe Pass in Washington paved?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're looking for a killer drive in Washington state? Check out Babyshoe Pass! Tucked away in Skamania County, inside Gifford Pinchot National Forest and just west of Mount Adams, this route climbs to 4,350 feet. The road, also known as U.S. Forest Route 23 (NF-23), winds through the Cascade Range, connecting Randle (in Lewis County) to Trout Lake (in Klickitat County). It's a lengthy 54.7-mile trek. While mostly paved, be prepared for about 12 miles of gravel over the pass. You might encounter some rutted, dusty conditions, and a few spots with 9% grades, loose gravel and washboard that'll test your traction. Keep in mind that Babyshoe Pass is a seasonal treat! It's generally open from early summer through fall, closing for the winter due to snow. When it’s open, you’re rewarded with some seriously stunning views within the Mount Adams Recreation Area.
extremeWhere is Hell's Revenge Trail?
🇺🇸 Usa
Hell's Revenge near Utah's east-central edge, inside the Sand Flats Recreation Area, is an absolute must-do for 4x4 fanatics! This totally unpaved trail is 6.5 miles of pure slickrock heaven (and hell!). Think rock ledges, broken rocks, sand, and blow sand, all marked with white dashes painted right on the rock itself. Seriously, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking steep climbs, nail-biting descents with serious drop-offs, and turns so tight you'll be holding your breath. Expect to spend a good 3-4 hours conquering this beast, accessible right past the Sand Flats Recreation Area Entrance Station. This route is NOT for beginners. You'll need a serious 4x4 rig prepped for sandstone domes and slickrock ledges. If you're an experienced driver craving an adrenaline rush, Hell's Revenge will push your limits. It's usually open year-round, so buckle up, keep it under 15 mph, and prepare for some killer views as your reward!
moderateHerd Peak
🇺🇸 Usa
Herd Peak is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.141m (7,024ft) above the sea level, located in Siskiyou County, California, in USA. The rough road to the summit, located within the Klamath National Forest, is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times. Mud and sand are possible. The road is usually impassable from October to June (weather permitting). Great trail for experienced wheelers. High-clearance 4WDs are preferred, but any high-clearance vehicle is acceptable.Expect a trail pretty steep. At the summit there’s a lookout tower. Used for fire detection since 1933, the lookout is well maintained and in near-original condition. The summit offers some wonderful views of Grass Valley, Shasta Valley and beautiful Mount Shasta. The view is well worth it, especially if the view of Mt. Shasta is clear (no clouds). Red Rock Peak: Driving the 70km remote track to the Yellowjacket Country 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.
moderateWhere is Potato Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for Potato Peak, one of California's highest drives! This bad boy tops out at a whopping 10,039 feet above sea level, tucked away in the remote eastern part of the state, close to the Nevada border. The payoff? Killer panoramic views. We're talking Sweetwater Mountains stretching out before you, plus awesome vistas of the Sierra Nevada to the west and those classic desert ranges of Nevada in the distance. The road itself? Well, it's all unpaved adventure! You'll kick up some dust for about 5.4 miles as you climb from the paved CA-270 up to the peak. Expect a pretty consistent climb because you're gaining about 2,500 feet in elevation. A heads up: because it's so isolated and high up, this road is usually closed for the winter. So plan your trip accordingly!