Travelling Through Ruta 27 (CH-27) in the Andes
Argentina, south-america
156 km
3,000 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising on Ruta 27 in northern Chile, smack-dab in the Andes. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a serious high-altitude adventure across a wild, arid plateau.
This two-lane paved beauty stretches for 156 kilometers (97 miles), linking San Pedro de Atacama to Argentina via Paso de Jama. It's a fairly new route, fully paved since 2005, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a breeze.
Prepare for steep climbs and some challenging conditions, especially those strong, dry winds and the blazing sun! Sunglasses, H2O, and a couple of spare tires are absolute must-haves.
Oh, and did I mention the altitude? You'll be hitting some serious heights, topping out at Portezuelo Paranal, a mountain pass sitting pretty at a breathtaking 4,832 meters (15,853 feet). That makes it one of South America's highest paved roads. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride!
Where is it?
Travelling Through Ruta 27 (CH-27) in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -35.1464, -64.4427
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 156 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,000 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -35.1464, -64.4427
Related Roads in south-america
extremeMirador de Carhuayno
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! You HAVE to check out Mirador de Carhuayno, a natural viewpoint perched way up high in the Huancaya District of Peru. We're talking 3,695 meters (that's over 12,000 feet!) above sea level. Getting there is half the fun, if "fun" means a seriously intense drive. You'll be tackling Ruta 120 (Camino a Vilca), a gravel road that's about as wide as your grandma's hallway. Seriously, two cars passing each other? Forget about it. It's steep, it's gnarly, and it demands your FULL attention. This road is NOT messing around. Think dramatic drop-offs, hairpin curves, and stunning (but distracting!) scenery. We're talking sheer cliffs plummeting hundreds of meters with absolutely zero guardrails to save you. This road has earned its fearsome reputation, so bring your A-game and maybe an extra pair of pants. Definitely not recommended for newbie drivers or anyone with a fear of heights! But oh man, the views… the views are SO worth it. Just drive carefully and prepare for an adrenaline rush!
moderateIs the road to Cruz del Cóndor paved?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: you're in Peru, high up in the Andes in the Department of Arequipa. You're headed to Mirador Cruz del Cóndor, a spot that sits at a whopping 3,794m (12,447ft)! This place is *the* place to be if you want to witness the legendary Andean Condor soaring through the sky. The drive itself? Mostly smooth sailing on paved roads (we're talking AR-109, baby!), but keep an eye out for some unpaved sections to keep things interesting. It's a 22km (13.67 miles) hop from Pinchollo to Cabanaconde, winding through incredible mountain scenery. Seriously, this is one of Peru's top spots for a reason. You're not just looking at a canyon (one of the deepest in the world, by the way), but also breathtaking views of the whole region. And, of course, the condors! Get there early (7-9am is prime time) to beat the crowds and get the best views of these magnificent birds. You'll find a cross marking the spot, and a small wall for safety. Hit it up between May and November for the best weather. Plus, you're near Oquepuño Pass and Patapampa Pass, some of the highest paved roads and passes in South America, so you can make a real adventure of it!
extremeThe Unpaved Road to Cerro Estrella in the Andes is Not for the Faint of Heart
🇨🇱 Chile
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.
hardHow to drive the steep 4x4 road to Alto de Salinas in Ecuador?
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Alto de Salinas in central Ecuador is not just a road—it’s an Andean adventure reaching a dizzying 4,344m (14,251ft)! Forget the tourist traps; this is a raw, unfiltered dive into the heart of BolÃvar province. This high-altitude lifeline links Salinas de Guaranda (aka Salinas de Tomabela), a village famed for its salt, to the even higher alpine plateaus. Think windswept grasslands and an ever-present, mysterious mist—a taste of the wild Ecuadorian paramo. Ditch the Pan-American Highway for a real glimpse into the volcanic soul of the Andes. This isn't your Sunday drive. From Salinas de Guaranda heading east towards Route 491, it’s 16.6 km (10.31 miles) of pure off-road grit. We’re talking loose gravel, dirt, and some seriously steep sections—some ramps clock in at an intense 18% grade! A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically essential to conquer this beast. The weather here has a mind of its own. Even when it's supposedly dry season, expect fog, rain, and mist. Temperatures plummet as you climb above 4,300 meters, often flirting with freezing. The combination of altitude, insane inclines, and poor visibility makes this one of the toughest drives around. Be prepared for anything—heavy rains can turn this track into a slippery, muddy mess in minutes!