
Where is Cerro Sairécabur?
Bolivia, south-america
19.5 km
5,541 m
hard
Year-round
Cerro Sairécabur, perched on the Bolivia-Chile border, is not for the faint of heart! This volcano boasts one of the highest roads in South America, clawing its way up to a dizzying 5,541m (18,179ft).
The adventure starts in the Antofagasta region (Chile) or the Potosí Department (Bolivia), twisting and turning up a rough, abandoned mining road that eventually peaks at an insane 5,753m (18,874ft)! Yep, you read that right - it's one of the highest roads on Earth.
Be warned: this is strictly 4x4 territory. For about 19.5km (12.11 miles), you'll grind your way up, gaining a whopping 1,220 meters in elevation. Expect some serious inclines – up to 13% in places! The first section is manageable, but above 5,400m, even seasoned adventurers might find themselves pushing.
What's at the top? Besides bragging rights, you'll find the Receiver Lab Telescope, a cutting-edge radio telescope. There's also a sulfur mine at 5,300m.
Heads up: bring everything you need from San Pedro! Pack plenty of food and water, as local sources are supposedly contaminated. And be prepared for wind, cold, and a seriously challenging climb. Altitude sickness is a real risk, so acclimatize beforehand. The access road is unmarked and tricky to find, but trust me, the views (if you can breathe enough to enjoy them) are unreal.
Where is it?
Where is Cerro Sairécabur? is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -22.7252, -67.8856
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 19.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,541 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -22.7252, -67.8856
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