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
Related Roads in south-america
hardA stunning coastal road from Caldera to Huasco
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along the coast of Chile's Atacama Region, windows down, salty air whipping through your hair. This isn't just any drive; it's the road from Caldera to Huasco, one of the most incredible coastal routes Chile has to offer! Recently paved and known as Ruta C-10 (made up of segments C-324, C-302, C-326, and C-470), this 184 km (114 mile) stretch winds its way north-south from the port city of Caldera to Huasco. The climate is mostly warm and bone-dry thanks to its location on the edge of the Atacama Desert, but the cool sea breeze keeps things manageable. Keep your eyes peeled though! Flash floods can be a real issue sometimes, and sandstorms can occasionally blow through, adding an extra layer of adventure. But trust me, the incredible desert landscapes meeting the Pacific Ocean are worth any minor inconvenience. This is one road trip you won't forget!
hardAbra 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.
hardWhere is Abra Chonta Pass?
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure seekers, let's talk about Abra Chonta! This bad boy is a high-altitude mountain pass nestled way up in the Huancavelica Region of Peru, clocking in at a whopping 4,875 meters (that's almost 16,000 feet!). You'll find it east of , right in the heart of Peru, dividing the Huancavelica and Angaraes provinces. Now, the road itself, HV115, is a mixed bag. You'll encounter both smooth paved sections and some rougher unpaved bits. The good news is, in dry conditions, most 2WD vehicles can handle it! If you're rolling in from Huancavelica, it’s a relatively gentle climb by Andes standards: a 54 km stretch with gradients of only 2-3%, and all on paved road! The whole journey from Road 28D to Lircay spans about 63.4 km (or 39 miles) going west to east. Get ready for stunning, panoramic views and that crisp, thin mountain air! Just keep an eye out for changing road conditions, and you'll be golden.
extremePalambla-Huancabamba Road
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: You're deep in the northern Peruvian Andes, practically on the border with Ecuador, tackling the Pista Palambla-Huancabamba. This 65.5 km stretch of gravel road, part of Route 2, connects the tiny towns of Palambla and Huancabamba, nestled in the province of Huancabamba. And wow, what a ride! We're talking serious elevation here, climbing to a dizzying 3,240 meters. The scenery is incredible, classic Piuran Sierra vibes, with those healing energy vortices the area is known for - sacred lagoons and ancient ruins dotting the hills. But hold on tight, because this road is not messing around. Think nail-bitingly narrow sections where passing another vehicle means someone's doing a *lot* of reversing. We're talking kilometers, people! And did I mention the unprotected drops of hundreds of meters? Yeah, you really don't want to misjudge a turn. Plus, this area gets foggy, and buses and trucks use this road, so visibility can be a challenge. If it's been raining, forget about it, the road turns into a muddy, slippery mess that even a 4x4 might struggle with. Seriously, ordinary cars need not apply, especially during the wet season. This road has seen more than its fair share of accidents and is absolutely not for the faint of heart or those prone to vertigo. But if you're an experienced driver looking for an unforgettable adventure, this could be your ultimate test.