Salar de Quisquiro: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Chile, south-america
160 km
4,210 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile, surrounded by what feels like the surface of Mars. You're on the road to Salar de Quisquiro (also known as Salar de Loyoques), a salt flat perched way up at 4,210m (13,812ft). Yep, this is one of South America's highest paved roads!
The road stretches for about 156 km (97 miles) from San Pedro de Atacama to the Argentinian border. The entire length is paved, making it accessible to most vehicles. You'll be driving through Los Flamencos National Reserve, and the landscape is stark and beautiful.
Daytime temps can soar to 30°C, but be warned, nights can plummet below freezing, especially in winter. Brace yourself for those notorious high-altitude winds, too. While it's paved and generally in good condition, don't let your guard down. The high altitude, intense sun (sunglasses are a must!), and strong winds demand respect. Cell service is spotty, and the nearest gas station can be up to 160 km away, so come prepared with extra water, spare tires, and a sense of adventure! You will encounter some steep sections on the way and gradients up to 12.6%. This high altitude road is not only scenic, it is unforgettable.
Where is it?
Salar de Quisquiro: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.4930, -70.3337
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 160 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,210 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -35.4930, -70.3337
Related Roads in south-america
extremeWhere is the road to Cordón de Inacaliri?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Chile and Bolivia, deep in the heart of the Central Andes. You're about to tackle a mining road that claws its way up the side of a massive volcano – Curiquinca Volcano. This isn't just any road; it's one of the highest in the country! Forget smooth asphalt; this is a brutal mix of gravel and loose rock. We're talking strictly 4x4 with serious high clearance. Finding the exact route can be a challenge because the landscape is constantly changing due to crazy high-altitude winds. It starts near Inacaliri, and from there, it's a bumpy, "tippy" ride that demands your full attention. The elevation? Intense. You're talking a lung-busting climb where you're dealing with about 40% less oxygen than at sea level. Seriously, altitude sickness is a real risk here. Movement gets tough, and your heart rate will be through the roof. If you've got any respiratory or heart issues, or you're traveling with a baby, this isn't the trip for you. When can you even attempt this adventure? Probably only during the summer months, but even then, be prepared for anything. The weather in the Andes is wildly unpredictable. You could encounter snowy days in the middle of summer! High winds are a constant, and temperatures can plummet way below freezing, especially in winter. Ice and snow can turn that rocky road into a seriously slick hazard. So, load up on extra fuel, oxygen, and cold-weather gear before you leave Inacaliri. The scenery? Totally worth the challenge.
hardLagunas de Epulafquen
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're in Argentina, practically spitting distance from Chile, high up in the Andes. You're heading toward the stunning Lagunas de Epulafquen, a pair of shimmering lakes sitting pretty at almost 5,000 feet! The adventure starts on Ruta Provincial 45, a gravel road stretching about 25 miles from Las Ovejas. Now, this isn't your average highway cruise. While generally maintained, the road can get pretty dicey. Think washboarding, ruts, and dips that'll keep you on your toes. A high-clearance vehicle is a must! And be warned: after a rainstorm, this track transforms into a muddy slip-n-slide. In bad weather, even 4x4s might struggle. But trust me, the views are worth it. Imagine winding through the mountains, the air crisp and clean, with the promise of those gorgeous lakes waiting for you at the end. This is an off-the-beaten-path experience you won't forget!
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.
hardCurvas de Huanchaca: 24 Switchbacks on a Narrow and Steep Road
🇵🇪 Peru
Get ready for the Curvas de Huanchaca, a wild ride through the Peruvian Andes! This road, snaking along the border of Cusco and Apurimac, is famous for its mind-boggling series of 24 hairpin turns. Seriously, it's one of the most intensely switchbacked roads on the planet, promising a drive that's both spectacular and maybe a little dizzying. You'll find this beauty in the southern highlands of Peru, nestled in the Urubamba Valley, about 40km west of Cusco. It's known locally as Curvas de Huallpachaca too. Route 3SF has been recently paved and even though it's barely wide enough for one car in places, most vehicles can handle it. But don't let the fresh pavement fool you – this road is a challenge! Those 24 switchbacks are carved right into the rock, and there are no guardrails to keep you from the sheer drop-offs. If you're not a fan of heights, maybe focus on the road ahead! This incredible feat of engineering climbs steeply through the mountains, maxing out at a 17% gradient in some sections. The intense part is 12.5km (7.76 miles) long, starting at the Puente Huallpachaca over the Apurimac river at 2,142m (7,027ft) above sea level and topping out at 2,901m (9,517ft) asl. That's a whopping 759 meters of elevation gain, averaging out to a 6.07% gradient. Trust me, you'll feel it!