Portezuelo de Chulluncallani
Chile, south-america
N/A
4,492 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Portezuelo de Chulluncallani! This high-altitude pass in Chile's Arica y Parinacota Region, practically spitting distance from Bolivia, tops out at a breathtaking 4,492m (14,737ft).
The A-319, a gravel road in decent condition, snakes its way through the stunning Las Vicuñas National Reserve. But don't let the pretty scenery fool you – this road demands respect! Prepare for seriously strong winds – they’re a constant companion. Even in summer, you could be greeted with snow. Winter? Brutally cold. With that elevation, snow can shut things down at any time. Fog can roll in thick and fast, so keep your wits about you if visibility drops.
Altitude is the big challenge here. The air is THIN, with about 40% less oxygen than at sea level. Even if you're fit as a fiddle, altitude sickness can hit hard. Take it slow, listen to your body, and maybe skip this one if you have respiratory or heart issues. Engines struggle too! But if you're prepared for the challenge, the views are absolutely worth it.
Where is it?
Portezuelo de Chulluncallani is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.8443, -73.0089
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,492 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -35.8443, -73.0089
Related Roads in south-america
extremeDriving the wild 100km road to Portezuelo Maricunga in the Atacama Desert
🇨🇱 Chile
Portezuelo Maricunga: buckle up for an epic Andean adventure! This high mountain pass punches through the heart of Chile's Atacama Desert at a staggering 4,133m (13,559ft). Nestled inside the stunning Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, get ready for some seriously dramatic and remote scenery. The environment here is WILD. Think scorching daytime temps hitting 30°C, then plummeting below freezing at night, especially in winter. And hold onto your hat because the wind HOWLS across the salt flats and volcanic peaks, making an already tough journey even more challenging. Getting to the top is a desert expedition in itself. From La Puerta, you've got a grueling 100 km (62 miles) ahead of you on Route C-601. It's mostly loose gravel and deep sand, so get ready to work for it! As you climb higher, the road gets gnarlier with eight super-tight hairpin turns that'll test your skills (and your vehicle) in the thin air. You're totally on your own out here, so be prepared to be self-sufficient! Now, let's be real – driving to Portezuelo Maricunga isn't a walk in the park. Those rare desert rains can turn the sandy surface into a muddy, slippery mess, making traction a nightmare. After a storm, the road can become impassable, even for 4x4s. Plus, the high altitude can cause altitude sickness and zap your engine's power. Bottom line? Pack extra fuel, tons of water, and a reliable satellite phone – this is one of northern Chile's most remote "high roads"!
moderateFaro Cabo Blanco
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna visit Argentina's oldest lighthouse? Head to Santa Cruz Province and the Cabo Blanco Natural Reserve! You'll be cruising down Ruta Provincial 91, a 33.3 km "ripio" (gravel) road that kicks off from Ruta Provincial 14 and leads straight to the iconic Cabo Blanco lighthouse. Word to the wise: this isn't a drive for the faint of heart! The weather here is seriously unpredictable, thanks to the semi-arid climate and crazy winds. Trust me, stick to that 60km/hour speed limit – a cracked windshield or flat tire will totally harsh your vibe. The gravel can get super loose, especially on the sides, and things get muddy and slippery after it rains. The lighthouse itself sits on a rocky headland at the end of Route 91, towering 67 meters (220 ft) high. The good news? The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! Keep your eyes peeled for marine wildlife in their natural habitat. While a high-clearance 2WD can technically handle the dry, straight stretches at low speeds, I highly recommend renting a 4x4. It'll make the ride way more comfortable and minimize your chances of getting stuck!
extremeCerro San Pedro
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in the west of Argentina's Mendoza province, practically spitting distance from Chile, lies Cerro San Pedro. This mountain pass climbs to a dizzying 2,199 meters (that's 7,214 feet!). Fair warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking extreme 4x4 territory here. Think dusty, bumpy, and definitely not for the faint of heart (or weak of stomach!). If you're prone to vertigo or have a thing about landslides, maybe sit this one out. Seriously. The gravel road is often loose, especially near the edges, and littered with stones and big rocks in the middle. Oh, and did I mention the drop-offs of hundreds of meters with absolutely no guardrails? The final climb is a killer, with sections hitting a crazy 35% grade. Locals call it the "Climb to Hell" for a reason! But if you're prepared for the remote location, elevation changes, and challenging terrain, the views are supposed to be absolutely breathtaking.
moderateThe abandoned Viaduct Petrobras in the middle of the Brazilian jungle
🇧🇷 Brazil
Okay, picture this: you're deep in the Brazilian rainforest, São Paulo state to be exact. Suddenly, BAM! An enormous, abandoned concrete viaduct rises up before you – the Viaduct Petrobras. Seriously, it's like something out of a movie, a colossal concrete giant swallowed by the jungle. Back in the '50s, they dreamt up BR-101, a mega-highway stretching almost 3,000 miles. But the section between Rio and São Paulo? That remained a wild, untamed dream hidden in the jungle. Fast forward to the '70s, and boom - the Viaduct Petrobras became part of the plan. Instead of the original route, they decided to build *over* the jungle, piggybacking off Petrobras' pipeline paths. Nestled near the southeast coast in the mountainous Sierra do Mar, this viaduct was meant to shave off 30+ miles of coastal driving between Rio and São Paulo. Picture this: you're cruising on asphalt, a cool 131 feet above the jungle floor. The viaduct is a solid 300 meters long. The jungle was brutal with the heat, the insects, and the massive trees. Then, BAM! Economic crisis hits, and the whole project grinds to a halt. The Viaduct Petrobras, this incredible concrete creation emerging from the mists, was simply left behind. And there it stands today, a relic of big dreams and a seriously epic photo op!