La Rinconada in Peru is one of the highest towns accessible by car
Peru, south-america
20 km
5,130 m
extreme
Year-round
Ever been to "Devil's Paradise"? Just west of the Bolivian border in the Peruvian Andes, you'll find La Rinconada, a mining town scraping the sky at a staggering 16,830 feet! That makes it one of the highest towns accessible by car on the planet.
Getting there is half the adventure. The Acceso a La Rinconada is a totally unpaved, 5.4-mile stretch of wild road branching off Road 110. Trust me, your suspension will get a workout!
The scenery is...well, unique. Imagine breathtaking mountain views juxtaposed with the gritty reality of a gold mining town. This place has exploded in population, with miners working under a crazy system – 30 days unpaid, then one day to grab as much gold as you can carry!
Now, let's be real. La Rinconada is considered one of the most inhospitable places on Earth. Think extreme altitude (oxygen deprivation is a serious risk), a landscape littered with garbage, and whispers of local mafias. Miners deal with some rough conditions here. Plus, the water's contaminated with mercury. It's not for the faint of heart.
Is it a city? A town? Who knows! But it's an experience you won't forget.
Where is it?
La Rinconada in Peru is one of the highest towns accessible by car is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.7065, -74.9138
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 20 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,130 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -7.7065, -74.9138
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