Travelling the challenging Ruta A-23
Chile, south-america
114 km
5,242 m
extreme
Year-round
Get ready for the ride of your life on Ruta A-23 in the remote northern reaches of Chile! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture 114km (70 miles) of unpaved adventure that will take you over 6 hours to conquer. While technically a 2wd road (weather permitting!), you'll be navigating everything from smooth surfaces to teeth-rattling washboards.
Starting near Putre at a lofty 3,500 meters, the climb is brutal. Expect your lungs to burn in the thin air as you hug the Tapaca Volcano, eventually reaching a staggering 5,242 meters above sea level. Snowfall can shut things down in a heartbeat, and heavy mist can make things seriously sketchy.
The gravel and sand can turn treacherous and muddy after rain, so keep an eye on the forecast. Speaking of isolation, expect to see more vicuñas and alpacas than people after you leave Putre. The road ends in Visviri, near the Bolivian border.
Be warned: this route earns its reputation for danger! Unpredictable snowstorms, avalanches, and landslides can strike without warning. Patches of ice are common, so only tackle this adventure in good weather. But if you're up for a challenge, the scenery is absolutely breathtaking!
Where is it?
Travelling the challenging Ruta A-23 is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -36.0828, -72.1790
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 114 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,242 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -36.0828, -72.1790
Related Roads in south-america
hardA Most Tricky Scenic Drive to Abra Arcata
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventurers, listen up! I just found this crazy road in the Arequipa region of Peru called Abra Arcata, and it's a total must-do for any serious road tripper. We're talking seriously high altitude here—a whopping 5,101m (16,735ft)! It's nestled south of Abra Condorillo in the Condesuyos province, inside the Cotahuasi Subbasin Landscape Reserve, so you know the scenery is going to be epic. The road, officially known as AR-611, is unpaved, but surprisingly in decent shape most of the way. There's this one seriously steep kilometer after you pass the Arcata mine at 4,700m, but after that, it's a more gradual (and gorgeous) climb to the top. Watch out for some sandy sections and those hairpin turns—they can be a bit dicey! The good news is that even though it's steep, the road surface is solid, so it's not *too* crazy. Oh, and you even drive right through a mine at one point—talk about unique! The whole stretch from Arcata is about 57km (35 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure. Picture this: multi-colored hills stretching as far as the eye can see, and a feeling of total isolation. The views from the summit? Absolutely breathtaking. And the descent into the valley beyond? Forget about it—pure magic!
moderateDriving the Rodovia Deputado Miguel Bufara in southeastern Brazil
🇧🇷 Brazil
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through the Brazilian state of Paraná and have a hankering for some off-the-beaten-path exploring, Rodovia Deputado Miguel Bufara is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a 117km (72-mile) stretch of unpaved road that winds from near Morretes all the way to Guaraqueçaba, one of Paraná's coolest coastal cities. Now, let's be real: this road is RUGGED. Think narrow paths, plenty of potholes, and the potential for flash floods after a good rain. Seriously, a high-clearance vehicle isn't just recommended, it's practically essential. But trust me, the scenery is worth it! Just keep an eye on the weather, and get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardWhere is the mysterious plane in the Andes?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, wanna check out something seriously wild? Deep in the Peruvian Andes, in the Huánuco Region, there's this crazy "ghost plane" showing up on satellite images near Laguna Ninococha! Now, getting there isn't exactly a Sunday drive. We're talking a super-rough, unpaved mine track winding up to some serious altitude—over 16,400 feet! Thin air, people, *thin air*! You'll need a high-clearance 4x4, for sure. Forget your low riders! The scenery, though? Absolutely breathtaking! Towering peaks, remote wilderness...it's the kind of place that makes you feel like you're on top of the world. Just be warned, this isn't a trip to take lightly. Weather can change in a heartbeat, and snow can shut things down for months. Oh, and about that "plane"? It's probably just a trick of the satellite, catching a jet mid-flight. Still, pretty cool, huh? So, if you're up for a real off-the-beaten-path adventure, this might be just the ticket!
moderateA wild unpaved 4x4 road to Chuanuma in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Chuañuma is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5,283m (17,332ft) above sea level, located in Chachas District, in the Castilla Province of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. The mountain, also known as Ch'uwañuma, is situated in the Arequipa Region, in the southern part of the country. The road to the summit, located southeast of the mountain Huañacagua in a valley named Puncuhuaico, is totally unpaved. 4x4 vehicles only. It’s an old mining road. Set high in the Chila range of the Andes, the road to the summit is 15km (9.32 miles) long, starting on the road to Chila peak. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.