
The World’s Fastest Downhill Mountain Bike Ride in the Atacama desert
Chile, south-america
167 km
3,972 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're carving down a mountain in the Chilean desert, wind screaming past you, scenery blurring... pure adrenaline! This isn't your average Sunday cruise; we're talking about the very slope where Austrian daredevil Max Stöckl smashed the world speed record on a stock mountain bike.
We’re at Cerro "El Flaco", peaking at almost 4,000 meters. The initial slope is a heart-stopping 45 degrees, and the run is a nail-biting 1.2km blast from top to bottom. Stöckl himself said it was an exhausting 20 seconds of pure exhilaration! While I wouldn't advise trying to hit 167 km/h yourself, just imagine the view and the rush – definitely a trip for the adventurous soul.
Where is it?
The World’s Fastest Downhill Mountain Bike Ride in the Atacama desert is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -34.1772, -73.0510
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 167 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,972 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -34.1772, -73.0510
Related Roads in south-america
hardA Remote and Rugged Route: Abra Caballuni Pass in Puno Province
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra Caballuni in the Puno Province of Peru! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a sky-high mountain pass hitting a whopping 16,272 feet above sea level. You'll find this beauty south of Puno, nestled in the southern reaches of the country. The road? Let's just say it's an *experience*. Think unpaved, all gravel, all the time. Prepare for hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills, seriously steep climbs, and sections so narrow you'll be holding your breath. Oh, and did I mention the dramatic drop-offs? A high-clearance vehicle isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Clocking in at around 44 miles between Ichuña and Cutimbo, this west-to-east route is a feast for the eyes. Get ready for views that'll make your jaw drop!
hardConquer the Spectacular Paso Internacional Los Libertadores: Chile-Argentina Border Crossing
🇨🇱 Chile
# Paso Internacional Los Libertadores: One of the World's Most Epic Mountain Drives Chile and Argentina's border stretches over 5,000 miles, with most of it carved along the dramatic spine of the Andes Mountains. Between the two countries sits an incredible network of over 40 border crossings, but none compare to the sheer spectacle of Paso Internacional Los Libertadores—also known as Paso del Cristo Redentor. This fully paved route connects Santiago, Chile with Argentina's Mendoza region via two highways: Ruta 60 on the Chilean side and Ruta Nacional 7 on the Argentine side. The actual border crossing? It's hidden inside a tunnel. The Cristo Redentor tunnel stretches 3,080 meters across the border, sitting at a breathtaking 3,175 meters (10,417 feet) above sea level. Named after the iconic 4-ton Christ the Redeemer statue positioned at 3,832 meters (12,572 feet) on the Argentine entrance—installed way back in 1904—this crossing is absolutely legendary. Here's where it gets real: winter weather can shut this route down completely. Massive snowfall and rockfall threats mean you'll need serious patience and driving skills to tackle this beast. The Argentine side treats you to a relatively gentler climb through stunning rugged terrain, rewarding you with jaw-dropping views of Aconcagua, South America's highest peak, and the switchbacks snaking below. The Chilean side? Buckle up. This is where things get intense. Ruta 60 is essentially one of the world's most twisted roads—from above, it literally looks like a refrigerator coil. The notorious Los Caracoles section (Spanish for "the snails") features over 20 hairpin turns on an insanely steep climb. It's dramatically harder than the Argentine approach, and heavy trucks crawl through here daily, forming slow-moving convoys that look like actual snails from a distance. Despite being brutally challenging, the pass maintains a surprisingly solid safety record. Still, you'll want to remember: there are no guardrails, snow covers the road much of the year, and traffic gets intense with cargo trucks and tourist buses navigating these heights around the clock. But conquer it, and you'll have one unforgettable story.
hardHow to drive the unpaved road to Rhity Apacheta Pass in La Paz Department?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso Rhity Apacheta in Bolivia's La Paz Department! At a staggering 4,874m (15,990ft), this pass is seriously high up there — one of Bolivia's loftiest! You'll find it nestled within the Ulla Ulla National Fauna Reserve, north of the wild Paso Sanchez, near the Peruvian border, in Franz Tamayo Province. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks! The entire 123km (76 miles) route, stretching from Ruta Nacional 16 (near Villa Gral Pérez) to Cueara, is unpaved and seriously rugged. Expect hairpin turns, super steep climbs, narrow stretches, and curves galore. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's essential! Seriously, if you crave getting *way* off the grid in the heart of the Apolobamba mountain range, this is your calling. Get ready for views and a drive you won't soon forget!
hardDriving the challenging 365 turns of Ruta del Año in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near the Chilean border in western Argentina, you HAVE to check out Ruta Provincial 52. Locals call it "Ruta del Año" - Route of the Year - and trust me, it lives up to the hype. Located in the Las Heras department, northwest of Mendoza Province, this bad boy is a winding, unpaved masterpiece stretching for about 94 km (58 miles) from Uspallata. Forget speeding - you'll be lucky to hit 30 km/h on this curvy, mountainous track! Think you can handle 365 turns? Most are hairpin, so buckle up if you get car sick easily! The views are insane, seriously some of the most dramatic scenery you'll find anywhere in the region. This route climbs high into the Andes, peaking at a breathtaking 2,960m (9,711ft) above sea level at Cruz de Paramillo. Word of warning: avoid this road between July and October as it can get super dicey. The road leads to Villavicencio, an abandoned resort spa nestled in a protected ecological area. Even though the spa has been closed for decades, the thermal waters still flow, and you can wander through the gardens and check out the old chapel. Definitely worth a stop!