Meseta Marcahuasi
Peru, south-america
16.2 km
4,100 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, so picture this: You're in the Peruvian Andes, ready for an adventure. You're heading to Meseta Marcahuasi, a plateau way up at 4,100 meters (that's over 13,450 feet!). This isn't just any plateau; it's famous for its bizarre rock formations that look like faces and animals.
The road to get there? Intense! It's about 16 km of pure, unadulterated gravel, starting near Autisha. Think hairpin turns – over 20 of them! – clinging to the side of the Autisha canyon. We're talking serious drops, hundreds of meters down, with absolutely no guardrails.
But trust me, the views are worth the white knuckles. Bring your camera, because you'll want to capture this. Just make sure your batteries are charged and your memory card is empty! Expect traffic, especially since it's a tight squeeze in places. A 4WD is your best friend here, and honestly, an experienced driver is a must. If you're not comfortable on narrow, unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. Heights are definitely involved!
Oh, and for the truly adventurous, there's a gravel road that continues up to Laguna Chanicocha, even higher at 4,513 meters (nearly 15,000 feet!). Just east of Laguna Marcahuasi itself. It's breathtaking in every sense of the word!
Where is it?
Meseta Marcahuasi is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.9451, -74.6331
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 16.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,100 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -9.9451, -74.6331
Related Roads in south-america
hardDriving the RN149 to Abra del Colorado in San Juan
🇦🇷 Argentina
Hey adventure seekers! Let me tell you about Abra del Colorado, a must-see mountain pass in Argentina's San Juan Province. Picture this: you're cruising along at 2,629m (8,625ft), surrounded by the raw beauty of the Andes. This isn't just any drive; it's a key route connecting the Iglesia and Calingasta valleys, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the towering Andean peaks. The landscape here is something else – a dry, almost Martian terrain with reddish soil that gives the area its name, "Colorado." You'll be driving on Ruta Nacional 149 (RN149), a smooth, fully paved road that stretches for 88.3 km (54.86 miles) from Bella Vista towards the junction with the RP436, en route to Talacasto. Now, a word of caution: you're in high mountain territory. Keep an eye out for sudden gusts of wind—the notorious Zonda can really test your driving skills! Cyclists, take note! This pass is legendary, the ultimate stage of the Vuelta a San Juan. Even if you're not a pro, you'll feel like one as you tackle this climb. The gradients are forgiving, mostly around 5-6%, but it's the sheer length and the desert heat that'll challenge you. The final 15 kilometers are the stuff of legends, winding through a rocky canyon before you finally reach that high-altitude plateau. Trust me, the sense of accomplishment is unreal! For drivers and cyclists, this climb is an epic experience, a unique taste of the Argentinian Andes that you won't soon forget.
hardWhere is Sico Pass?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're looking for an epic border crossing between Chile and Argentina, then Paso de Sico is calling your name. This high-altitude pass sits at a staggering 13,425 feet above sea level, linking the Antofagasta Region of Chile with the Salta Province of Argentina. We're talking serious Andes mountain scenery here! The journey stretches for 209 miles, winding from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to the quaint town of San Antonio de los Cobres in Argentina. On the Chilean side, expect smooth sailing on a newly paved road. But Argentina throws in some spice with a challenging unpaved section – though rumors say it may get paved soon! Keep an eye on the weather! Summer brings pleasant 23°C, but winter dips to a chilly -12°C. It’s open year-round, but those high altitudes mean things can get cold and seriously windy, so pack accordingly. Get ready for views that'll leave you breathless (literally, maybe, at that altitude!), and an experience you won't soon forget!
hardHow to get by car to Cerro Chacaltaya, the world's highest ski resort?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
# Cerro Chacaltaya: Bolivia's Haunting High-Altitude Adventure Perched at a jaw-dropping 5,260 meters (17,257 feet) in La Paz Department, Cerro Chacaltaya stands as one of Bolivia's most extreme mountain roads. Nestled deep in the Cordillera Real of the Andes, this peak holds a fascinating—and somewhat melancholy—piece of skiing history. Here's the wild part: from 1939 to 2009, Chacaltaya was home to the world's highest ski resort. Yeah, you read that right. While most people assume the world's most elite ski slopes exist in Switzerland or Colorado, they'd be wrong. This remote Bolivian mountain actually held that crown for seven decades, complete with a restaurant and cozy chalet for adventurous tourists. Unfortunately, climate change has other plans. The snow vanished, the skiers stopped coming, and the station was abandoned in 2009, leaving behind only ghostly ruins and faded memories. The road itself—called Ruta Chacaltaya—has been winding up this mountain since the 1930s, but don't expect pavement. This is pure unpaved, high-altitude adventure territory that demands a serious 4x4 vehicle. Starting from Ingenio, you're looking at a 9.6-kilometer (5.96-mile) climb with a brutal 635-meter elevation gain. Some sections hit a stomach-churning 14% gradient, and the narrow, steep switchbacks come with genuinely terrifying drop-offs. Average gradient sits at 6.61%—this road doesn't mess around. Once you reach the abandoned resort, the real view unfolds. Panoramic vistas stretch across the Cordillera Real, showcasing Huayna Potosi, Mururata, and the iconic Illimani, with La Paz sprawling below. On clear days, you can even spot Lake Titicaca shimmering to the west. If you've got energy left, a short 100-meter hike leads to the actual summit. History buffs shouldn't miss the Mount Chacaltaya Laboratory nearby—originally a weather station that evolved into a critical hub for gamma-ray research.
moderatePuente Las Corrientes
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Araucanía Region of southern Chile when BAM! You stumble upon Puente Las Corrientes. Seriously, this wooden bridge is a total showstopper. Stretching 43 meters over the Rehue River, this isn't your average shortcut. Keep in mind, though, it's a wooden structure, so there's a 15-ton weight limit. You'll find it on the gravel R-264 road, where a scenic paved road takes you to Laguna Miscanti. Trust me, the views are worth it! It's a bit of an adventure, but unforgettable.