The Road to Portezuelo de Chapiquina in the Andes is Not for Timid Drivers

The Road to Portezuelo de Chapiquina in the Andes is Not for Timid Drivers

Chile, south-america

Length

47.1 km

Elevation

4,453 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're heading to the Arica and Parinacota Region of Chile, you HAVE to check out Portezuelo de Chapiquiña. This high-altitude Andean pass clocks in at a staggering 4,453 meters (that’s 14,609 feet!).

You'll find this gem tucked away inside Parque Nacional Lauca. The road, known as A-201, stretches for about 47 kilometers (or 29 miles) from Murmuntani to Las Cuevas. But hold on – it's all unpaved, so be prepared for a bumpy ride! And did I mention it's steep?

For the truly adventurous, there's a crazy side road to the west that climbs even higher, topping out at 4,760m! Get ready for 16 hairpin turns and an average gradient of 15%. The view from the top, bristling with communication towers, is totally worth the adrenaline rush. This area shows off some of the most dramatic scenery Chile has to offer!

Where is it?

The Road to Portezuelo de Chapiquina in the Andes is Not for Timid Drivers is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.4251, -70.0927

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Road Details

Country
Chile
Continent
south-america
Length
47.1 km
Max Elevation
4,453 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-35.4251, -70.0927

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