Salar de Aguas Calientes: an awe-inspiring route through extremely remote areas
Chile, south-america
160 km
4,250 m
hard
Year-round
Salar de Aguas Calientes: Picture this – a shimmering salt flat nestled high in the Andes of northern Chile's Antofagasta Region. We're talking seriously high altitude here, topping out at 4,250m (13,943ft)! During the day, you might be sweating in 30°C heat, but brace yourself – nights can plummet below freezing, especially in winter. And the wind? Let's just say it's a constant companion.
This road, also known as Salar de Tara, snakes through a landscape that feels more like Mars than Earth. It's all paved, making it accessible even for 2WD vehicles wanting a taste of extreme altitude. But don't let the smooth surface fool you. This is remote territory. Cell service? Forget about it. The nearest gas station could be up to 160 km away.
Winding through Los Flamencos National Reserve on a high desert plateau, this road is generally open year-round (snow permitting). It's a long, straight shot across the Andes, and you will be at an average height of 3,000 m.a.s.l.
Clocking in at 156.19 km (97.05 mi), the route stretches from San Pedro de Atacama all the way to the Argentinian border. Be ready for some serious winds, blazing sun, and bring enough water for everyone in your vehicle! A couple of spare tires wouldn't hurt either. And keep an eye out for some seriously steep sections – we're talking gradients of up to 12.6% in places!
Where is it?
Salar de Aguas Calientes: an awe-inspiring route through extremely remote areas is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.1872, -70.9867
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 160 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,250 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -35.1872, -70.9867
Related Roads in south-america
extremeThe paved road from Balzas to Celendin in northern Peru is not an easy drive
🇵🇪 Peru
Located in the region of Cajamarca, in the northern part of Peru, the road from Balzas to Celendín tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. Hair raising stuff. There is absolutely no room for mistakes. The road, part of the 8B Road, was recently paved. The surface of the road is in really good condition. It’s 56.2 km (35 miles) long and features more than 200 curves, with 34 hairpin turns. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. At times the road is so narrow, with a 1000m drop off on one side and a sheer cliff rising the other, that at the corners the back wheel will be half off the edge. The road is very steep. It starts at Balzas, in the province of Chachapoyas, at an elevation of 854m above sea level and ends at Celendín, capital of the province Celendín, at 2.643m above sea level. It’s incredibly disorienting to look over the edge, or even just to see the valleys a couple thousand feet below you. The elevation gain of the road is 1.789m and the average gradient is 3,19 %, with some sections up to 7%. There are sheer drops virtually along the entire route and enough hairpins to make a whirling dervish dizzy. Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson 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.
hardCerro Blanco
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Cerro Blanco in the wild Argentinian Andes! We're talking about a whopping 4,174 meters (13,694 feet) above sea level in the Catamarca Province. The road in? Pure sand, baby! This isn't a Sunday drive; you NEED a 4x4. You'll kick things off from Ruta Provincial 43 and grind it out for 96.3 km. Cerro Blanco sits pretty on the Robledo caldera's southern edge, surrounded by cool pumice deposits. Heads up: this track gets seriously muddy and slick after rain. Like, "maybe impassable even with 4x4" kind of slick. And since you're out in the boonies, be prepped for anything. Expect a high desert climate, scorching sun, and super dry conditions. But the views? Totally worth it.
hardDriving the challenging 365 turns of Ruta del Año in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near the Chilean border in western Argentina, you HAVE to check out Ruta Provincial 52. Locals call it "Ruta del Año" - Route of the Year - and trust me, it lives up to the hype. Located in the Las Heras department, northwest of Mendoza Province, this bad boy is a winding, unpaved masterpiece stretching for about 94 km (58 miles) from Uspallata. Forget speeding - you'll be lucky to hit 30 km/h on this curvy, mountainous track! Think you can handle 365 turns? Most are hairpin, so buckle up if you get car sick easily! The views are insane, seriously some of the most dramatic scenery you'll find anywhere in the region. This route climbs high into the Andes, peaking at a breathtaking 2,960m (9,711ft) above sea level at Cruz de Paramillo. Word of warning: avoid this road between July and October as it can get super dicey. The road leads to Villavicencio, an abandoned resort spa nestled in a protected ecological area. Even though the spa has been closed for decades, the thermal waters still flow, and you can wander through the gardens and check out the old chapel. Definitely worth a stop!
moderateRuta Provincial 31
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Ruta Provincial 31 in Chubut Province, Argentina, right on the Atlantic coast. This isn't your typical Sunday drive; it's an 88.8 km adventure! Most of it's unpaved, adding a real off-the-beaten-path vibe, but don't worry, there's about 16km of smooth asphalt to give your shocks a break. This road is seriously remote, connecting Ruta Nacional 25 to Estancia La Concepción. Get ready for some thrills as you pass through a couple of dark, spooky tunnels. But trust me, it's all worth it for the stunning views you'll get of the Embalse Florentino Ameghino dam. Seriously, the scenery is unreal!