Road CH-21
Chile, south-america
199 km
2.3 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Ruta CH-21 in northern Chile's Antofagasta Region! This high-altitude route is a real journey, taking you entirely above 2,300m.
Starting in Calama, a super-dry city in the Atacama Desert (we're talking a measly 5mm of rain a year!), you'll begin on smooth asphalt before transitioning to gravel. For 199km, it's a mix of textures under your tires as you climb from Calama (2,300m) to Ollagüe, a frontier village at a cool 3,700m.
The road tops out at 3,830m, so be prepared for thin air and stunning views! While generally open year-round, keep an eye on the weather. This region can throw some serious curveballs, with avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides possible. Ice patches can also be a hazard. With that said, in good weather, a high-clearance 2WD can handle this route at a slow and steady pace. Get ready for long, straight stretches across an unforgettable landscape!
Where is it?
Road CH-21 is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -37.0664, -75.0869
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 199 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.3 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -37.0664, -75.0869
Related Roads in south-america
moderateA wild unpaved 4x4 road to Chuanuma in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Chuañuma is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5,283m (17,332ft) above sea level, located in Chachas District, in the Castilla Province of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. The mountain, also known as Ch'uwañuma, is situated in the Arequipa Region, in the southern part of the country. The road to the summit, located southeast of the mountain Huañacagua in a valley named Puncuhuaico, is totally unpaved. 4x4 vehicles only. It’s an old mining road. Set high in the Chila range of the Andes, the road to the summit is 15km (9.32 miles) long, starting on the road to Chila peak. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardA Remote and Rugged Route: Abra Caballuni Pass in Puno Province
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra Caballuni in the Puno Province of Peru! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a sky-high mountain pass hitting a whopping 16,272 feet above sea level. You'll find this beauty south of Puno, nestled in the southern reaches of the country. The road? Let's just say it's an *experience*. Think unpaved, all gravel, all the time. Prepare for hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, seriously steep climbs, and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. Oh, and did I mention the dramatic drop-offs? A high-clearance vehicle isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Clocking in at around 44 miles between Ichuña and Cutimbo, this west-to-east route is a feast for the eyes. Get ready for views that'll make your jaw drop!
extremeRoad 101
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up! If you find yourself in the Pallasca province of Peru and fancy a drive on the wild side, Carretera 101 is calling your name. But fair warning: this isn't your average Sunday cruise. We're talking about a high-altitude mountain road, mostly sitting around 3,500m above sea level. Picture this: roughly 87 kilometers of a mix of gravel and asphalt, twisting and turning with hairpin curves carved right into the mountainside. The road narrows constantly, demanding a steady hand. Oh, and did I mention the dizzying drops of up to 1,200m? Seriously, don't look down if you're prone to vertigo! Some sections are so narrow that passing another car can involve a multi-kilometer reversing ballet to find a wider spot. After rain, the asphalt gets super slick, adding another layer of challenge. Keep an eye out for potholes from a past asphalting project, and be aware of security concerns in the region. Extreme caution with kidnapping and banditry occur often in the region and ongoing armed assaults with some attacks targeting tourists and convoys. But if you're brave enough to tackle Carretera 101, you'll be rewarded with absolutely stunning scenery. Just be prepared for an adventure – this road will test your skills and your nerves!
extremeThe challenging 4x4 road to Cerro Tuc Tuc: A high-altitude pass in Salta
🇦🇷 Argentina
Cerro Tuc Tuc, also known as Cerro Tuc Tuca, is a beast of a mountain pass in the Santa Victoria Department of Salta, Argentina. This remote track near the border with Jujuy tops out at a staggering 4,624m (15,170ft) above sea level, making it one of Argentina's highest roads. Get ready for a raw, unfiltered driving experience! West of the famous Abra Fundición, you'll find this epic route, locally called Camino a Bacoya. Prepare for a dramatic landscape filled with vibrant, colorful mountains and weathered rock formations typical of the high Andean plateau. Forget pavement – this is a narrow, unpaved dirt and gravel track that demands a high-clearance vehicle. Navigating this road is technical; it's often too narrow for two regular cars to pass without a squeeze, especially where there are those heart-stopping drop-offs! Starting in Santa Cruz de Aguilar, the road to the summit stretches for 18.66 km (11.6 miles). It's a steady climb of 624 meters. The average gradient is a manageable 3.34%, but the high altitude will test your engine's limits. A 4x4 is practically mandatory, especially after it rains. The surface can get slick, and the steep sections need serious traction. Remember, you're in a remote area, so being properly equipped is crucial for a safe adventure. The weather at 4,624 meters is unpredictable. Be prepared for extreme conditions, the notorious lack of oxygen, and the risk of altitude sickness. The combo of steep hills, tight squeezes, and rapidly changing weather demands your full attention. But oh, the views! The pass offers breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Salta and Jujuy highlands. The colorful mountains all around create a visual feast. This is a must-see spot for overlanders searching for the most isolated and scenic roads in northern Argentina.