How to get by car to Tocorpuri Volcano on the border of Chile and Bolivia?
Bolivia, south-america
90 km
5,563 m
hard
Year-round
Ready for an epic adventure? Head to the Chile-Bolivia border and discover the incredible Volcán Tocorpuri. A mining road snakes its way up this dormant volcano, climbing to a staggering 5,563 meters (that's over 18,251 feet!). It's seriously one of the highest roads you'll find here.
You'll find Tocorpuri, also known as Michina, Cerro de Tocorpuri, or Cerros de Tocorpuri straddling the border between Chile (Antofagasta) and Bolivia (Potosí). The volcano itself is ancient, formed from old lava flows and volcanic debris. The latest activity was around 34,000 years ago, but there's still geothermal action nearby, possibly linked to the El Tatio geysers.
The road itself? It's a beast! Built for sulfur mining, this unpaved, sandy track winds up the Bolivian side. You'll need a 4x4 for sure. Expect a nail-biting 90 km (56 miles) drive from Quetena Grande, complete with narrow sections and a whole lot of hairpin turns. The views? Absolutely breathtaking, but keep your eyes on the road!
Where is it?
How to get by car to Tocorpuri Volcano on the border of Chile and Bolivia? is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -15.9643, -62.4459
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 90 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,563 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -15.9643, -62.4459
Related Roads in south-america
hardAlferez Portinari Refuge
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're in Argentina, Mendoza province to be exact, heading towards a mountain refuge called Refugio Alferez Portinari. It's perched way up at 2,520m (that's over 8,000 feet!). The refuge itself is run by the Argentinian Gendarmería Nacional. You'll be cruising along Ruta Provincial 94, a gravel road that's generally well-maintained. A 2WD with decent clearance should be fine if you take it slow and steady. Watch out for washboarding and the usual gravel road bumps! Starting in Vista Flores at a mere 966m, you've got a 35.5km climb ahead of you. It's a pretty steady uphill trek, gaining 1,554m in elevation. That's an average gradient of 4.37%, so expect some work! Now, here's where it gets interesting: the road continues past the refuge for another 18.5km, but *only* if you've got a 4x4. This leg eventually ends near an abandoned hotel, Hotel Valle de Manantiales. From there, it's the starting point for the seriously high Cruce de los Andes paso de los Piuquenes, which is a whopping 4,346m above sea level! Views for days, I'm sure!
moderateWhere is Agua Negra Pass?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Paso de Agua Negra (Black Water Pass) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.774m (15,662ft) above sea level, located on the border of Argentina and Chile. It's one of the highest roads in the country Where is Agua Negra Pass? Set high in the Andes mountain range, the pass links the IV Region of Coquimbo (Chile) with the Province of San Juan (Argentina). It is the highest border crossing between Argentina and Chile, and the traffic is very low, with around 200 vehicles using it every year. Can you drive to Agua Negra Pass? Located in the central region of both countries, the road to the summit is mostly unpaved. It’s called Ruta 41 (in Chile) and Ruta Nacional 150 (in Argentina). The pass is 318km (198 miles) long, running east-west from Las Flores (in San Juan Province of Argentina) to La Serena (the capital of the Coquimbo region on Chile’s coast). The pass is driveable with any kind of vehicle. Opened in 1965, the pass was closed in 1977 due to political problems between the two countries and reopened to the public in 1994. Is the Agua Negra pass open? Because of its altitude, this pass is open only in summers (from December through April). The rest of the year is blocked by snow. Remember to check before you drive, as the dates are dependent on snow conditions each year. What’s Agua Negra tunnel? A new tunnel (Agua Negra tunnel) is planned to bypass the mountain pass, allowing year-round traffic. The project consists of two parallel 13.9km (8.63 miles) tunnels, each comprised of two traffic lanes. The tunnels will have a maximum width of 11m, but because they run through high mountains, the maximum incline has been limited to 4%. The tunnel is expected to greatly improve economic connections between Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. Pic: Marisa Matesevach Route 5 is Chile's longest route Ojos del Salado is one of the highest accessible points by car on Earth 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.
extremeAbra Chucopampa
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! I just tackled Abra Chucopampa, and let me tell you, it's a BEAST. This insane mountain pass in the Cajamarca region of Peru clocks in at a whopping 4,858m (15,938ft) above sea level. The climb? Absolutely brutal. We're talking long stretches with gradients over 10%, so make sure your vehicle is ready for a workout. And heads up: if it's rained recently, the summit can get seriously muddy. Be prepared for challenging conditions, especially after even a little rainfall. This road climbs 1,900m! Avalanches, snow, and landslides are real possibilities and icy patches can be super dangerous. While the initial climb has a decent surface and manageable gradients, don't get too comfy! The last 6km are a different story: extremely rocky, steep, and unforgiving. The whole route's remote and beautiful, but with the bumpy, dirty surface, this one definitely isn't a walk in the park.
moderateWhere is Icalma Pass?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Argentina and Chile at a cool 1,307 meters (that's 4,288 feet!) above sea level. This is the Icalma Pass, a newly paved gem nestled high in the Andes. On the Argentinian side, it's known as RP23, while in Chile, it transforms into Route R-89. The whole shebang is about 14.8 km long, connecting the charming villages of Villa Pehuenia in Argentina and Icalma in Chile. Close to the top, there's a border crossing point. Now, a word of warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. You're high in the mountains, so the weather can be a bit of a drama queen – changing in a heartbeat. Snow and heavy conditions are common, especially in winter, so be prepared for restrictions and mandatory snow chains. But generally, it's open year-round, so keep an eye on local reports, and get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!