How to get by car to the antennas at the Summit of Cerro Atacazo?
Ecuador, south-america
9.5 km
4,155 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a road for you: Cerro Atacazo in Ecuador's Pichincha province. This stratovolcano clocks in at a whopping 4,155m (13,631ft), making this one of the highest drives in the country.
Find it southwest of Quito, smack-dab in the north-central part of Ecuador. Trust me, the views of the city from up here are worth the climb, especially with all those cool antennas at the summit.
Now, let's be real: this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is entirely unpaved – think bumpy gravel, eroded by epic rainstorms. It's dusty when dry, a muddy mess when wet. This is a tough, remote mountain road, and the altitude will test you. So, bring your trusty 4WD, high-clearance vehicle. Make sure your ride is in tip-top shape because you *will* notice the power lag up here.
The climb to those antennas is *steep*. We're talking 9.5km (5.9 miles) from Guamani, gaining 943m in elevation. That's an average gradient of almost 10%! Get ready for an unforgettable experience.
Where is it?
How to get by car to the antennas at the Summit of Cerro Atacazo? is located in Ecuador (south-america). Coordinates: -1.6294, -78.4568
Road Details
- Country
- Ecuador
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 9.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,155 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -1.6294, -78.4568
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhere is Abra del Infiernillo?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure-seekers, listen up! You HAVE to experience Abra del Infiernillo in Argentina. This epic mountain pass, topping out at a whopping 10,026 feet, is the highest point in the entire Tucumán province. You'll find this beauty nestled in the Calchaquí Valleys, in the northwest of Argentina, acting as the grand entrance to Parque Provincial Cumbres Calchaquíes. Trust me, the views are worth the drive! At the summit, nicknamed Infiernillo, you'll find a communication tower, a restaurant serving up llama (yes, really!), a spacious parking area, and the incredible Mirador El Infiernillo viewpoint. But be warned, Mother Nature can be fierce up here with strong winds, swirling clouds, and frequent rain. The road itself, RP307, is about 33 miles of mostly paved road winding from Amaicha del Valle to Tafí del Valle. Expect some rough patches, narrow squeezes, and loose gravel along the way, plus hundreds of turns and hairpin bends that will keep you on your toes. It's a road trip you won't soon forget!
hardLaguna Saquicocha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You HAVE to check out Laguna Saquicocha, a mind-blowing lagoon chilling way up in the Ancash Region of Peru, at a staggering 14,425 feet! The road to get there? Buckle up, buttercup! It's a bumpy gravel track that demands a 4x4, especially after any rain. Seriously, even a little drizzle can make things interesting. Be warned: the road can get seriously steep with some sudden loose gravel spots waiting to surprise you! The climb kicks off from the AN-111 road, winding upwards for about 4 kilometers, tackling a crazy 12 hairpin turns. You'll gain almost 300 meters in elevation, making for an average climb of nearly 7%. Oh, and keep an eye on the weather – this high up, snow is a real possibility, and the road can close in winter. But trust me, if you can handle the challenge, the views in the Pampas Galeras National Reserve are absolutely worth it!
moderateWhere is Caldera La Pacana?
🇨🇱 Chile
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for a wild ride to Caldera La Pacana, a mind-blowing volcanic caldera chilling way up in the Chilean Andes. We're talking seriously high altitude here, so be prepared to be breathless – both from the views and the thin air! You'll find this gem nestled in the eastern reaches of the Atacama Desert, not far from the Salar de Aguas Calientes. Now, heads up: the road to the top is all dirt, baby! This ain't your Sunday drive. It’s a route that demands respect, surrounded by stark, remote beauty that'll make you feel like you're on another planet. Brace yourself for some tough conditions out there. The road stretches out for quite a distance, with the altitude climbing steadily. Expect some steep sections along the way. This road, located at one of the lowest passes of the Andes, is sensational!
extremeTejos Refuge is one of the highest roads of South America
🇨🇱 Chile
# Refugio Tejos: The Ultimate High-Altitude Adventure Tucked away in Chile's Copiapó Province at a jaw-dropping 5,800m (19,000ft), Refugio Tejos isn't just a mountain hut—it's one of the world's highest motorable destinations. Perched in the Atacama region near the Argentine border, this legendary pit stop serves climbers tackling Ojos del Salado, the Andes' most impressive peak and the planet's tallest volcano. The hut itself is pretty humble: an L-shaped structure with six beds, a gear room, and a poignant history. A Chilean mining company left it behind as a memorial to a helicopter pilot who lost his life in these brutal mountains. Getting here? That's where things get serious. The unpaved road is absolutely relentless—steep, rocky, and unforgiving. Only experienced 4x4 drivers should even attempt it. The terrain climbs to rank among South America's highest roads, and those vertical cliff faces hundreds of meters high? Yeah, they're real, and they're terrifying. One wrong move and you're staring into dizzying valleys below. Weather up here doesn't play nice either. Even in summer, sudden snowstorms can materialize out of nowhere, with temperatures plummeting without warning. Wind is your enemy too—gusts can be genuinely dangerous given the exposed cliff edges and minimal margin for error. This isn't a scenic Sunday drive. Refugio Tejos demands respect, skill, and nerves of steel. But if you're a true adventure seeker? It's unforgettable.