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

Share this road

Road Details

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

Related Roads in south-america

Ruta A-235extreme

Ruta A-235

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the A-235! This isn't just a road trip; it's a high-altitude escapade smack-dab in Chile's Las Vicuñas National Reserve. We're talking serious elevation here—the entire route cruises above 4,100 meters! Stretching for nearly 90 km, the A-235 connects the A-319 and A-201 highways, passing through Guallatire and Ancuta. The gravel road is usually well-maintained. This route, also known as Ruta San Pedro de Atacama – Cusco, tops out at a lung-busting 4,360 meters above sea level. The elevation is not the only challenge: be aware of the weather, and after it rains, watch out for river crossings.

Abra Blanca, the world's highest road in 1915hard

Abra Blanca, the world's highest road in 1915

🇦🇷 Argentina

Alright, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Abra Blanca! This high-altitude pass, chilling at 4,102m (13,458ft), is nestled in the Salta Province of Argentina. You'll be cruising on smooth, paved roads (with a few concrete sections thrown in for good measure) along Ruta Nacional 51 (RN51), heading from Salta to San Antonio de los Cobres. This pass is the highest point on that route! Coming in at 48km (29 miles) long, stretching from Muñano to Santa Rosa de Tastil, Abra Blanca boasts a large parking lot at the summit – perfect for soaking in those mind-blowing views of the San Antonio de Los Cobres plateau way down below at 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). Keep an eye out for the occasional souvenir shop, too. Fun fact: Back in the day, this pass was *the* highest drivable road in the world! While that record might not stand anymore, you can still find a little monument up there, covered in traveler stickers, marking the historic event. Trust me, even though it's understated, it's worth a stop. Plus, the nearby town of San Antonio de Los Cobres is just 13 kilometers away if you need to stock up on snacks! Get ready for some seriously epic landscapes.

The Wild Road to Cerro Galan in the Andesmoderate

The Wild Road to Cerro Galan in the Andes

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventurers, listen up! You NEED to add Cerro Galán in Argentina to your bucket list. Picture this: you're in the wild, remote Catamarca Province, practically spitting distance from Salta, ready to tackle one of the world's biggest volcanic calderas. First thing's first: leave your low-rider at home! This ain't no Sunday drive. We're talking 80km (50 miles) of pure, unadulterated, unpaved road starting from El Peñón. You'll need a high-clearance 4x4. Seriously. Also, check the width of your vehicle, some parts get a bit tight. The altitude? A cool 4,964m (16,286ft). Translation: breathtaking views, thin air. And speaking of breathtaking, this is NOT the place to go rogue. Seriously, hook up with a guide through the local tourist office. Trust me on this one. You do NOT want to get lost out here. But the scenery? Totally worth it.

Where is Abra Tres Cruces?moderate

Where is Abra Tres Cruces?

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Okay, so you're heading to Bolivia? Let me tell you about Abra Tres Cruces. This mountain pass punches through the western edge of Bolivia, right in the Cordillera Occidental mountains. We're talking serious altitude here — it's sky-high! The road itself stretches about from south to north. The ascent from is usually pretty gentle, nothing too crazy. However, once you get into the heart of it, be warned! A lot of it is unpaved, and those sections can get a bit hairy with steeper climbs and roads that can be seriously rough in bad weather. But forget the bumps for a second and look around! The scenery up here is absolutely breathtaking. You'll be driving through some of the most incredible landscapes Bolivia has to offer. Just take your time, keep your eyes on the road (especially on those unpaved bits!), and get ready for an unforgettable adventure.