
Portezuelo El Gaucho
Chile, south-america
N/A
4,177 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Portezuelo El Gaucho! This beast of a mountain pass sits way up high in Chile's Atacama Region, clocking in at a lung-busting 4,177 meters (that's 13,704 feet!).
Forget smooth asphalt, we're talking gravel and rocks all the way, baby! This isn't a Sunday drive; it's a trail for serious off-roaders. If you're not comfy with steep, unpaved mountain tracks, steer clear. A 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential. Oh, and if heights make your palms sweat, maybe grab a friend to do the driving. Watch out for those thunderstorms, they can turn the road into a real challenge, or even make it impassable in a heartbeat. The view from the top, though, is worth every white-knuckle moment – just remember, the trail ends at a mine. Get ready for some epic photo opportunities!
Where is it?
Portezuelo El Gaucho is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.3467, -68.1750
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,177 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -34.3467, -68.1750
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