Road C-173
Chile, south-america
104 km
3 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a killer route for you in Chile's Atacama region: the C-173. This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking serious altitude here, the whole track is above 3,000m!
Clocking in at 104km, this bad boy connects El Jardin (off the C13) to Ruta 31. Word to the wise: check the forecast before you go. This gravel road gets seriously loose, especially on the edges, and turns into a mud pit after rain. Trust me, you don't want to be stuck out there. Even 4x4s can struggle in bad weather, and the road can become totally impassable during and after a storm. The highest point hits 3,660m, so the views are absolutely insane! Get ready for some unforgettable scenery, just make sure you're prepared for the conditions.
Where is it?
Road C-173 is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.9133, -70.4421
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 104 km
- Max Elevation
- 3 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -34.9133, -70.4421
Related Roads in south-america
extremeWhere is Altos Corvo Branco?
🇧🇷 Brazil
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of Santa Catarina, Brazil, snuggled within the Serra do Corvo Blanco (White Crow's Mountain) range, you'll find Altos Corvo Branco, a mountain pass that'll take your breath away – literally and figuratively! We're talking about an elevation of 1,245m (4,084ft), so expect some serious views. This epic road, known as SC-370 (Estrada da Serra do Corvo Branco), stretches for 67km (41 miles) from Braço do Norte to Urubici, acting as a vital link between southern Santa Catarina and the Planalto Catarinense. Now, don't go thinking this is a leisurely cruise. This drive is challenging! The final 1.6km is a beast, boasting sections with a 30% gradient and five hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. Think tight curves, narrow stretches, steep drops, and cliffs that plunge dramatically. Trust me, the panoramic views are worth it, but be warned: low gears are your friend here. And if you're tackling this in rain or fog? Maybe reconsider. Definitely not bus or big-rig friendly. Get ready for an unforgettable ride, with viewpoints practically around every bend!
extremeSan Francisco de Mosca-Antapirca Road
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Carretera San Francisco de Mosca-Antapirca! Nestled high in the Pasco region of central Peru, this isn't your average Sunday cruise. We're talking a 10.9km gravel track that winds its way from San Francisco de Mosca (Huanuco) up to Antapirca (Pasco), never dipping below 2,000m above sea level! Think dramatic Andean scenery, but also think super steep climbs and a whopping 23 hairpin turns to keep you on your toes. Rain turns this road into a real challenge, so be prepared for potentially tricky conditions. The highest point hits a breathtaking 3,570m (11,712ft), so take it slow and steady. Oh, and did I mention the narrow sections and seriously exposed drop-offs? This is a road that demands respect and careful driving. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
moderateTravel Guide to La Virgen Pass
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Okay, adventure awaits at La Virgen Pass, sitting pretty at a lofty 4,071 meters (13,356 feet) high in Ecuador! You might also hear it called Papallacta Pass. Find it just east of Quito, straddling the Pichincha and Napo Provinces, right in the heart of Cayambe Coca National Park. The E20 highway will take you right through, a fully paved road cutting through the Andes, just off the Eastern Cordilleras. This epic drive stretches for 85.3 km (53 miles) from Pifo to San Francisco de Borja as you head west to east. Heads up, you're on the road from Quito straight into the Amazon! At the top, that altitude is real. But the views? Absolutely unreal! Think majestic mountains and glaciers galore. Don't miss the little chapel there, known as Virgen del Paramo Papallacta. Feeling extra adventurous? A rugged, unpaved road heads north to Pico de las Antenas, peaking at 4,350 meters (14,271 feet). Buckle up for an unforgettable ride!
extremeLlanganuco Orconcocha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: You're in Peru, high in the Andes, staring at a lake so blue it looks like it's been photoshopped. That's Llanganuco Orconcocha, sitting pretty at 3,850m (12,631ft)! The only way to get there is Carretera de Yungay, or Carretera 106. This gravel road isn't messing around. Think crazy hairpin turns, switchbacks that'll make your head spin, and oh yeah, massive drop-offs on one side and towering rock cliffs on the other. You're basically driving through a super narrow glacial valley, with giants like Huascaran, Huandoy, and Chopicalqui mountains all around. The scenery is unreal, like straight out of a postcard. But heads up: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking zero guardrails, a serious lack of oxygen, and a steep climb that'll leave you breathless. Altitude sickness is a real thing up here. If you're not comfortable with heights or unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. One wrong move and… well, let's just say it's a long way down. But if you're an experienced driver with a sense of adventure, this is one unforgettable ride.