The road to Curiquinca Volcano isn’t an easy one
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
5,625 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Curiquinca! This bad boy is a stratovolcano straddling the Bolivia-Chile border, clocking in at a whopping 18,454 feet above sea level. We're talking serious altitude!
Nestled in the heart of the Atacama Desert, the gravel track isn't just a scenic route; it's a rugged climb up to a sulfur mine. Translation? This road is not for the faint of heart! Oxygen gets thin up there, and the climb is seriously steep. Most people start feeling altitude sickness way before you reach the top, so be prepared.
Think harsh sun, relentless winds whipping up dust devils, and a trail that'll test your off-roading skills to the max. Sunglasses are a must, water is your best friend, and trust me, bring two full-sized spare tires – you'll thank me later. 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. But hey, the views from one of the highest roads in South America? Totally worth it!
Where is it?
The road to Curiquinca Volcano isn’t an easy one is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.2918, -62.6847
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 5,625 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -16.2918, -62.6847
Related Roads in south-america
extremeWhere does the road to Don Mario and Punta Pumacocha start and end?
🇵🇪 Peru
Ready for the ultimate Andean challenge? This 42km route punches through the heart of central Peru, connecting the Lima and Junin regions with some serious high-altitude thrills. We're talking two colossal passes and elevations pushing 5,000 meters! This isn't your Sunday drive. Think remote mining country, where the air is thin and the slopes are steep – a real test for both you and your rig. This epic traverse runs west to east, from the Laraos District to somewhere near Junin, carving through a landscape of jagged peaks, desolate plateaus, and valleys bursting with minerals. The first hurdle is the Don Mario Pass. Leaving the mine area behind, the road gets gnarly – unpaved and aggressively steep. Traction can be a nightmare, especially in wet conditions. After that initial climb, you'll cruise across a high plateau for a bit, but don't get too comfy. The altitude is already playing games, and your engine's gonna feel it. But the real fun starts as you climb toward Punta Pumacocha. The final stretch is brutal. The road becomes a gravelly, incredibly steep climb, averaging a gut-punching 10.5% grade in the last section. At this altitude, it’s simply savage on any vehicle. Expect your engine to be gasping and your low-range gearing to become your new best friend. And if you're not a fan of heights? Let's just say the drop-offs and narrow track will definitely test your nerve. Mining operations try to keep this route open, but the weather up here is wild. Even a little rain turns things into a muddy mess. Landslides, avalanches, and heavy snow can block the road without warning. Plus, frequent freezes on those steep slopes make things extra sketchy. And don't even think about skipping acclimatization – high-altitude sickness is a real risk. Before you leave, make sure you're packing extra fuel, emergency thermal gear and maybe some supplemental oxygen. You're gonna need it!
extremeWhen was Vetas founded?
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! We're headed to Vetas, Colombia, rumored to be the highest town in the whole country, perched way up at 3,350 meters (that's nearly 11,000 feet!). Founded way back in 1551 amidst a major mining zone, getting here is half the fun. Forget smooth asphalt, this is an unpaved, 21.8 km (13.54 miles) rumble starting from Berlin on the Bucaramanga-Pamplona road (66). A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically essential! The climb is seriously intense, the air gets thin, and the gravel can be super loose, especially near the edges. Trust me, this isn't a Sunday drive. This remote route climbs thousands of feet through seriously isolated landscapes, often shrouded in mist. Make sure you're prepped for a real adventure because the views? Totally worth it.
moderateWhere is Portezuelo de Chapiquiña?
🇨🇱 Chile
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Portezuelo de Chapiquiña! This high-altitude pass in Chile's Arica and Parinacota Region is a stunner, clocking in at a whopping 14,609 feet above sea level within the gorgeous Parque Nacional Lauca. The main road stretches for about 29 miles. But for the truly adventurous, a gravel side road beckons westward, climbing even higher to 15,616 feet! Expect some steep sections on that spur. And once you're at the top, you'll be greeted by plenty of *apachetas* – those cool rock piles left by travelers. Be warned though, it's one of the highest roads around, so the air is thin! Keep your eyes peeled for incredible views, but also be mindful of the unpaved sections and potential hazards.
hardApagado Volcano
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Volcán Apagado! Straddling the Chile-Bolivia border, this dormant volcano tops out at a staggering 17,529 feet. Forget smooth asphalt – we're talking rocky, sandy, gravelly terrain that'll test your off-roading skills. Picture this: dramatic desert landscapes, seriously steep climbs, and rocks so sharp they'll make your tires weep. You'll need a high-clearance vehicle, skid plates, and diff lockers – this is *not* a Sunday drive in your sedan! The "road" (and I use that term loosely) is an old mining route, now a confusing web of tracks where even GPS can struggle. Pack more water than you think you need, and whatever you do, don't go it alone. The scenery? Absolutely epic. The challenge? Immense. The bragging rights? Priceless.