Where is Parinacota?
Chile, south-america
N/A
4,389 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Want to experience driving at a seriously high altitude? Head to Putre in the Arica and Parinacota Region, snuggled way up in the Lauca National Park. We're talking 4,400 meters (that's 14,400 feet!) above sea level, making this one of the highest drivable towns on the planet.
The drive itself? Get ready for breathtaking scenery. Think snow-capped volcanoes piercing the sky, steaming hot springs bubbling away, and incredible high-altitude lakes reflecting the vastness of it all. Keep your eyes peeled for the unique plants and animals that call this place home! The road leads to Parinacota, a small village that's actually the capital of the General Lagos commune. This is more than just a drive; it's an immersion into a landscape unlike any other.
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,389 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in south-america
extremeDriving to Abra Wallatani: One of the highest mining roads in Bolivia
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Conquer the legendary Abra Wallatani, an extreme mountain pass soaring to a dizzying 5,233m (17,168ft) in Bolivia's La Paz Department. Situated in the heart of the Inquisivi Province, just below the imposing Wallatani peak and west of Quime, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. This 20 km (12.4 miles) route linking Chojñacota and Rodeo isn't paved with roses, or asphalt for that matter. It's a gritty, unpaved mining road carved into the Cordillera Real, a place where fortunes are dug from the earth. Expect a mix of sharp rocks, loose gravel, and sections of deep dust, all on a narrow track that demands respect. A high-clearance 4x4 is your trusty steed here. The steep sections will test your vehicle's low-range gears and your nerves. And remember, this isn't a scenic route with safety barriers—sheer drops await the unwary! You'll be sharing the road with heavy mining trucks, so be prepared to yield and find a safe passing spot. The surface can be uneven and "tippy" from their heavy loads, so slow and steady wins the race. The real challenge? The altitude. At over 5,200 meters, even simple tasks become a struggle. Acclimatize well before attempting this drive! The weather is also a wild card. Be prepared for sudden snowstorms, even in the dry season (May to September). Getting stuck up here is no joke, so pack extra fuel, oxygen, and warm gear. But oh, the views! For those seeking raw, high-altitude scenery, Abra Wallatani is a dream come true. Just remember to treat the mountain—and your machine—with the utmost respect.
extremeNavigating Ollague Volcano: An Epic Journey on One of South America's Highest Roads
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Volcán Ollagüe! This massive Andean stratovolcano straddling the Chile-Bolivia border is not just a sight to behold, it's a climbable BEAST, clocking in at a staggering 5,868m (19,251ft) above sea level. This is seriously high-altitude driving! We're talking about a proper old-school, unpaved mine road on the volcano's northern flank. Forget guardrails; this is raw, rugged terrain. This extreme road tops out at 5,705m (18,717ft). You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 for this adventure. Trust me, this isn't a Sunday drive – this is a test of your off-roading mettle, with hairpin after hairpin and dizzying drops right next to the tires. Starting from the charmingly remote village of Ollagüe in Chile, the road winds its way up 24.7km (15.34 miles) to the summit. Get ready for 35 tight hairpin turns and an average gradient of 8.04%. That's one seriously steep climb. Keep a close eye on the weather, though. This area's known for sudden storms, avalanches, snow, and landslides, especially in January and February. Plus, even though Ollagüe hasn't erupted in recorded history, it's still got some serious fumarole action, with a constant plume of steam rising from the summit. And a HUGE word of caution: if you've got respiratory or heart issues, or you're prone to altitude sickness, this drive is NOT for you. The air is thin, REALLY thin. The oxygen level up there is about 40% lower than at sea level, so breathing is a chore, your pulse will be racing, and even simple movements will feel like a workout. The views? Absolutely mind-blowing. The challenge? Seriously intense.
moderateA truck powered by solar energy sets altitude record: it has climbed a volcano in Chile
🇨🇱 Chile
Forget waiting for better batteries – check out this *solar-powered truck* that just conquered a volcano! Seriously, the Gebrüder Weiss Peak Evolution team took the Terren solar truck all the way up to 6,500 meters (that's over 21,000 feet!) on the Ojos de Salado volcano in Chile, the highest *active* volcano on the planet. This custom ride is based on an Aebi VT450 Transporter but kitted out with a solar-powered electric system designed by DPP Innovations. The cool part? They want to sell this as a retrofit kit for existing trucks. The Terren packs two Bosch electric motors cranking out a combined 320 horsepower and is linked to a special transmission that seriously boosts efficiency. It was running a 90 kWh battery pack (good for about 200 km of range while climbing), though the production kit is supposed to have a beefier 140 kWh battery. To make it to the top, the team had to get creative. They lightened the body with composites, added rear-wheel steering, slapped on some gnarly off-road tires, and even rigged up some hydraulic winches for extra grip. It's a wild build showcasing the power of innovation for eco-friendly adventures!
extremeRoad to the JunÃn Lakes: Driving to Alcacocha, Tarusmachay, and Oshgomachay
🇵🇪 Peru
Get ready for an epic Andean adventure! Deep in the heart of Peru's Central Andes, near JunÃn, lies a mind-blowing route that winds past three ridiculously gorgeous glacial lakes: Alcacocha, Tarusmachay, and Oshgomachay. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a high-altitude test of you and your vehicle through the stark beauty of the Meseta de Bombón. Forget smooth pavement – this is a classic "trocha," a white gravel track carving through a vast, treeless plateau. Imagine endless ichu grass swaying in the fierce Andean winds, with distant peaks as your only companions. It’s raw, exposed, and unbelievably scenic. Starting just north of JunÃn, you peel off the civilized 3N Road and onto this 14.9 km stretch of pure adventure. Don’t let the average gradient of 2.85% fool you; the real challenge is the altitude. You’ll be climbing a cumulative 426 meters in seriously thin air! The route flows organically through the mountains. First, you'll hit Laguna Alcacocha (at a dizzying 4,366m). Then, it's upwards to the highest point by Laguna Tarusmachay (4,443m), before leveling out a bit near Laguna Oshgomachay (4,430m). The whole drive is a slow, steady climb where you'll definitely feel your engine straining above 4,000 meters. Expect mostly loose gravel and compacted earth under your tires. In dry weather, it's dusty but manageable. But remember, this is extreme high-altitude driving! Oxygen is scarce, and you'll likely feel the effects of altitude sickness if you haven't acclimatized in JunÃn or nearby towns. Safety first, especially during the rainy season (November to April). Snowfall and landslides can make things seriously dicey. There are absolutely no services, no gas stations, and hardly any other vehicles out here. A 4x4 with good tires is essential, as the gravel gets slick when wet, and those steep sections demand traction. Before you ditch the 3N highway, give your ride a thorough check-up. Thin air makes engines work overtime, so check those tires and cooling system! That "lack of oxygen" also affects your reflexes and judgment. If you get a headache or feel dizzy, stop or head down immediately. This route is your ticket to the authentic Peruvian puna, far from the tourist throngs, where your only company might be alpaca herds and the serene, frigid lagoons.