The Unpaved Road to Cerro Estrella in the Andes is Not for the Faint of Heart
Chile, south-america
N/A
5,389 m
extreme
Year-round
Cerro Estrella, also called Lastarria, straddles the Chilean-Argentinian border way up in the Andes – we're talking 5,389 meters (17,680 feet)! This is seriously high altitude driving.
This peak sits right on the border between Argentina's Salta Province and Chile's Antofagasta region. Once upon a time, this mountain was bustling with activity, thanks to the Mina La Julia sulfur mine (also known as Mina La Casualidad). It was abandoned in 1979.
The road to the summit is an old mining road, and it's completely unpaved, so you'll absolutely need a 4x4 to tackle this one. Get ready for some steep climbs, with gradients hitting a maximum of 13% in places!
Heads up: this route is NOT for the faint of heart (or lungs!). The extreme altitude means thin air, which can be tough on your body. If you have any heart or respiratory issues, you should seriously reconsider this drive. Above 2,500 meters, even healthy people can experience altitude sickness. There's significantly less oxygen up here, making everything more difficult. The steep inclines, unpredictable weather, and remote location make this a truly hazardous road, so proceed with extreme caution.
Oh, and did I mention the weather? This road is generally impassable in winter. Expect strong winds, especially at the peak. Even in summer, be prepared for sudden snow or temperature drops. Winter is brutally cold, and snow can shut the road down without warning. Dense fog is also common, so visibility can be a major issue.
Where is it?
The Unpaved Road to Cerro Estrella in the Andes is Not for the Faint of Heart is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -36.2026, -71.2605
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 5,389 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -36.2026, -71.2605
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