
The Road To Caldera La Pacana Has it All
Chile, south-america
9.65 km
4,983 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're heading to the wilds of Chile's Antofagasta Region, to a place called Caldera La Pacana. This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking serious altitude here: nearly 5,000 meters (over 16,000 feet!) So, yeah, it’s one of Chile's highest drives.
Picture this: the eastern Atacama Desert, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn. This lunar landscape is absolutely unreal, and the views? Epic! But hold on, this beauty comes with a price. The road, branching off Ruta 27 near Salar de Aguas Calientes, is a rough and rugged 9.65km unpaved climb.
We're talking a steep ascent, gaining 705 meters with an average gradient of 7.30%. Definitely a 4x4-only situation, and be prepared for seriously harsh conditions: think biting winds and bone-chilling cold. One slip-up, and this road won't forgive you. But trust me, if you're up for the challenge, the reward is an unforgettable journey!
Where is it?
The Road To Caldera La Pacana Has it All is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -36.8960, -72.3904
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 9.65 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,983 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -36.8960, -72.3904
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