Termas del Flaco
Chile, south-america
77.8 km
1.776 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're heading to Termas del Flaco, a super cool hot springs resort nestled high in the Chilean Andes, about 1,776 meters above sea level. We're talking the Región del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, specifically the Colchagua valley. To get to these amazing thermal baths (also called Baños del Tinguiririca or Las Vegas del Flaco), you'll be cruising along I-45, a gravel road that hugs the wild Tinguiririca River.
The adventure begins in San Fernando, just off the Panamericana Sur 64. From there, it's a 77.8 km journey on unpaved road that winds its way eastward into the mountains. Any car can handle it, but be prepared for a bumpy, scenic ride! Keep in mind, this dirt road is only open from December to April, so plan your trip accordingly. It's usually snowed in from May to November, so winter is a no-go! Get ready for some epic views!
Where is it?
Termas del Flaco is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.0792, -69.7528
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 77.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.776 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -34.0792, -69.7528
Related Roads in south-america
hardA memorable unpaved road to Abra de Chorrillos
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra de Chorrillos! This high-altitude Argentinian pass clocks in at a staggering 4,555 meters (14,944 feet), making it one of the highest roads you'll find in Argentina. You'll find it straddling the border between Jujuy and Salta provinces in the northwest, so get ready for some serious Patagonian vibes. The climate's as wild as the scenery: arid, cold, and with temperatures that swing from relatively mild during the day to downright freezing at night. We're talking potential lows well below -15°C (5°F) – pack accordingly! Summer brings the only rain, but don't expect a tropical downpour. You'll also be driving past some seriously stunning salt flats. The road itself? It's a 57.9 km (35.97 miles) unpaved beauty, also known as Ruta Nacional 51 (RN51), winding its way from San Antonio de los Cobres to Olacapato. The good news is, in dry weather, most vehicles can handle it. And for a good chunk of the drive, you'll be cruising alongside an old, abandoned railway line. The views? Epic. The adventure? Unforgettable.
extremeTravel the Road BR-116 with unstable weather conditions
🇧🇷 Brazil
BR-116 carves its way up the Brazilian coast, a whopping 4,385 kilometers (2,725 miles) stretching from Fortaleza in the north to Jaguarão near the Uruguayan border in the south. It's one of the country's major highways, a real artery for commerce, and sees a HUGE amount of truck traffic. But this isn't just a scenic coastal cruise. BR-116 carries the somber nickname "Rodovia da Morte" – Highway of Death – and it's not hard to see why. Unstable weather is a constant threat, leading to frequent accidents. The sheer volume of heavy trucks, combined with inconsistent road conditions, creates a challenging and often dangerous environment. The section between Sao Paulo and Curitiba is particularly notorious, clinging to the edges of steep cliffs with sections of questionable pavement. Driving the BR-116 demands your full attention. Be prepared for a serious mental workout behind the wheel.
hardA gravel road to Planchon Pass in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Paso del Planchón, a seriously epic high-altitude pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border at a whopping 8,251 feet! We're talking rugged Andes Mountains scenery here. This beast, also known as Paso Internacional Vergara, is a 121-mile dirt road stretching from Las Loicas, Argentina (Mendoza Province) to Curicó, Chile (Maule Region). Forget smooth pavement – this is raw, unadulterated travel, complete with sandy stretches that'll test your driving skills. On the Argentina side, it's Ruta Provincial 226, morphing into J-55 once you cross into Chile. Now, a heads-up: this pass isn't always ready for visitors. It’s usually only open from November to April, when they fix it up for tourists and mining folks. The climate is super dry, with wild temperature swings. Think sun-baked days and freezing nights – summer highs around 59°F and winter lows plummeting to -13°F!
hardDon’t glance down at your phone on the road to Uspallata Pass in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso Uspallata, an epic mountain pass sitting way up high at 3,810m (12,500ft) in the Chilean Valparaíso Region. You might also hear it called Bermejo Pass or Cumbre Pass. It's not far from the famous Paso Internacional de los Libertadores, north of Santiago and pretty close to the Argentinian border. Forget smooth tarmac; this is a 17km (10.56 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt road known as E-773, or Camino Cristo Redentor. Nowadays, it's more of a scenic route to see the Christ the Redeemer of the Andes statue. But don’t let the pretty statue fool you. This road is STEEP – we're talking gradients over 15% – and packed with 65 hairpin turns that will seriously test your driving skills. If you get queasy easily or are scared of landslides, maybe skip this one. A tunnel took over as the main route back in 1980 for a reason! Nestled high in the Andes, the views are insane, but Mother Nature calls the shots here. Only tackle this road in the summer when the snow is gone. Winter temps can plummet to -30°C, and heavy snowfall and rockfalls can shut things down in a heartbeat.