Is Chicamocha Canyon worth it?

Is Chicamocha Canyon worth it?

Colombia, south-america

Length

41 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're in Colombia, ready for an adventure, and someone mentions the Chicamocha Canyon. Trust me, you HAVE to go!

This massive canyon, nestled between Boyacá and Santander departments in the Andes, is mind-blowing. They say it's the second biggest in the world, plunging down over 6,500 feet.

Now, the road cutting through it – Ruta Nacional 45A – is fully paved, so no need to worry about off-roading. You can cruise from Los Curos to Aratoca along this 25-mile stretch. Don't get too comfy, though! This toll road is a rollercoaster with crazy steep sections and hairpin turns galore.

But trust me, the views are worth it. Just keep your eyes on the road! This canyon and the surrounding Chicamocha National Park are a total feast for the eyes. Get ready for some unforgettable photo ops.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Colombia
Continent
south-america
Length
41 km
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in south-america

Travelling Through Ruta 27 (CH-27) in the Andeshard

Travelling Through Ruta 27 (CH-27) in the Andes

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, picture this: you're cruising on Ruta 27 in northern Chile, smack-dab in the Andes. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a serious high-altitude adventure across a wild, arid plateau. This two-lane paved beauty stretches for 156 kilometers (97 miles), linking San Pedro de Atacama to Argentina via Paso de Jama. It's a fairly new route, fully paved since 2005, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a breeze. Prepare for steep climbs and some challenging conditions, especially those strong, dry winds and the blazing sun! Sunglasses, H2O, and a couple of spare tires are absolute must-haves. Oh, and did I mention the altitude? You'll be hitting some serious heights, topping out at Portezuelo Paranal, a mountain pass sitting pretty at a breathtaking 4,832 meters (15,853 feet). That makes it one of South America's highest paved roads. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride!

The dangerous road to Caranavi is not for the faint of heartextreme

The dangerous road to Caranavi is not for the faint of heart

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Bolivian Yungas, near the infamous Death Road, lies the road to Caranavi, and let me tell you, it's an adventure! Picture this: a mostly dirt track clinging to the mountainside, barely wide enough for one vehicle, with a raging river on one side and sheer drops on the other. This isn’t a Sunday drive. We're talking serious pucker-factor here. Expect heavy traffic, blind corners, and a road that laughs in the face of rain. One wrong move and… well, let's just say you don't want to find out. Stretching for about 62 kilometers (38 miles) from Coroico to Caranavi, this section of Ruta Nacional 3 is a wild ride through breathtaking (and slightly terrifying) scenery. Mountains, cliffs, and precipices abound. Just keep your eyes on the road, because you definitely don’t want to miss the next turn!

A Wild Unpaved Road to Pico de las Antenashard

A Wild Unpaved Road to Pico de las Antenas

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Pico de las Antenas is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,350 m (14,271 ft) above sea level, located in Ecuador. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. The peak is called Pico de las Antenas (“Antenas Peak”) due to an array of telecommunication antennas and towers at the summit, commonly known as Papallacta Antennas. The peak is located east of Quito, on the boundary of Pichincha and Napo Provinces, in the north-central part of the country, within the Parque Nacional Cayambe Coca. The road to the summit is totally unpaved and challenging, with big rocks, sharp turns, steep parts, and narrow sections. A 4x4 vehicle is required. If you go, be prepared for very high elevation conditions. Set high in the Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras, the road to the summit is 3.5 km (2.17 miles) long starting from La Virgen Pass. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 276 m and the average gradient is 7.88%.Pic: Jesus Ramos Martin Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Where Can You Find the America’s Lowest Point?hard

Where Can You Find the America’s Lowest Point?

🇦🇷 Argentina

Ever dreamed of touching the absolute bottom? I'm talking about the lowest point in all of the Americas! Head to the wilds of eastern Santa Cruz province, Argentina, and seek out the Gran Bajo de San Julián. This spot clocks in at a staggering -105 meters (-345 feet) below sea level! Forget Death Valley; this is where it's at for extreme low-lying exploration! Getting there is half the adventure. The landscape is straight out of a desert movie: arid, salty soil, and tough vegetation clinging to life. Expect dramatic temperature swings between day and night! It's remote, rugged, and definitely not on the typical tourist trail, which adds to its allure. The good news? You can drive there! Ruta Nacional 3 is paved and stretches about 125 km (77 miles) from Puerto San Julián (Port St. Julian) to Comandante Luis Piedrabuena. So, pack your bags, fill up your gas tank, and get ready for a surreal drive to the bottom of the Americas!