Travel guide to the top of Cerro Pachon
Chile, south-america
14.9 km
2,696 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Coquimbo Region of Chile, heading towards the Andes foothills, right? Your destination? The summit of Cerro Pachón, a staggering 2,696 meters (8,845 feet) high!
The road, Camino Centro Astronómico, is mostly paved with a few concrete sections thrown in for good measure, but the final 200 meters is a smooth, graded dirt track. The climb from the D317 road is just shy of 15 kilometers (9.25 miles), with a hefty 951-meter elevation gain—that's an average gradient of 6.38 percent, so get ready for a steady climb!
Up top, you're rewarded with views and some serious space-age tech. We're talking the Gemini South Telescope, the SOAR Telescope, and soon, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory – a game-changer in astronomy. This place is all about peering into the cosmos, so expect scenery that’s literally out of this world.
A word of caution: due to the altitude, this trip isn't recommended if you have hypertension, cardiovascular, or lung problems. Little ones under 6 aren’t allowed either. But for everyone else? Get ready for an unforgettable adventure!
Where is it?
Travel guide to the top of Cerro Pachon is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -35.3424, -72.0437
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 14.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,696 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -35.3424, -72.0437
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