Where is Paso Salar de Ollagüe?
Bolivia, south-america
254 km
3,695 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Wanna straddle the border between Chile and Bolivia in the most epic way possible? Then get ready to tackle Paso Salar de Ollagüe!
This high-altitude gem sits way up at 3,695m (that's over 12,000ft!) in the majestic Andes, smack-dab in the Reserva Nacional Alto Loa. Think stunning mountain views and pure, unadulterated wilderness. Just a heads-up, you can only cross between 8 AM and 8 PM.
Now, let's talk about the road itself. Forget smooth tarmac, this is a wild, unpaved ride from start to finish. On the Chilean side, it's known as CH-21, morphing into Carretera 701 once you hit Bolivia. We're talking rugged, remote, and definitely an adventure. Thankfully, it's usually open year-round.
Clocking in at a hefty 254km (157 miles) between Calama (Chile) and Maicota (Bolivia), this isn't a quick jaunt. Given how remote this area is, consider hooking up with a local driver who knows the ropes. Trust me, it'll make the journey way more enjoyable. Get ready for an unforgettable off-the-beaten-path experience!
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 254 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,695 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in south-america
extremeThe extreme 4x4 road to Laguna Cerro Negro: Driving into the heart of the Argentine Puna
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're heading to Laguna Cerro Negro in the High Andes of Jujuy Province, Argentina, where the altitude hits a staggering 4,492m (14,737ft)! Prepare to be blown away by the intense blue lagoon contrasting against the dark, volcanic rock of Cerro Negro. Seriously, your camera roll will thank you. The road to get there? It's a wild 17.7 km (11-mile) ride that kicks off from Lagunillas del Farallón. You'll steadily climb through golden Puna grasslands – prime photo ops, people! But wait, there's more! Before you reach the lagoon's edge, you'll conquer the Cuesta del Farallón, a mountain pass soaring to 4,625m (15,173ft). It's one of the highest points you can actually *drive* to in the region. Now, let's be real: this isn't your average Sunday drive. This is pure, unadulterated off-roading on gravel and loose rocks. The road is crazy narrow, and get this – sheer drops of hundreds of meters lurk on the sides with zero guardrails. Passing another vehicle? Forget about it. Someone's reversing... probably for kilometers. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's MANDATORY. Expect hairpin turns galore and ridiculously steep inclines that demand serious driving chops. And forget about it after rain – mud and slippery rocks turn those steep sections into a no-go zone. Let's talk altitude. At over 4,400 meters, the air is thin, so take it easy. Landslides are a risk, too. This is strictly for experienced high-altitude drivers with the right vehicle and preparation. But if you're up for the challenge, the reward is insane. The deep blue water is unreal, framed by the imposing Cerro Negro. This remote, dramatic beauty is hands-down one of Jujuy Province's most spectacular sights. Are you brave enough to experience it?
moderateAndahuaylas Airport
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: You're in the Apurímac Region of Peru, heading to Andahuaylas Airport. Buckle up, because you're in for a ride! We're talking about a high-altitude landing strip sitting pretty at 11,300 feet. The road you'll be on? It's known as 30B, and it’s mostly gravel. Think of it as a wide, steep mountain track that definitely keeps you on your toes. Local buses brave this route daily to and from Ayacucho, but be warned – it's a solid 10-hour trek on a dusty road. But hey, don’t let that scare you! The views are absolutely worth it. The bus crawls along, giving you heaps of time to soak in the incredible mountain scenery. This place is seriously stunning, plus you can brag you’ve been to one of the highest airports on the planet! Besides the usual flights, you'll probably see some chartered planes coming and going too.
extremeRoad CH-21
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Ruta CH-21 in northern Chile's Antofagasta Region! This high-altitude route is a real journey, taking you entirely above 2,300m. Starting in Calama, a super-dry city in the Atacama Desert (we're talking a measly 5mm of rain a year!), you'll begin on smooth asphalt before transitioning to gravel. For 199km, it's a mix of textures under your tires as you climb from Calama (2,300m) to Ollagüe, a frontier village at a cool 3,700m. The road tops out at 3,830m, so be prepared for thin air and stunning views! While generally open year-round, keep an eye on the weather. This region can throw some serious curveballs, with avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides possible. Ice patches can also be a hazard. With that said, in good weather, a high-clearance 2WD can handle this route at a slow and steady pace. Get ready for long, straight stretches across an unforgettable landscape!
extremeDriving the LM-116: The treacherous cliff road from Barba Blanca to Autisha
🇵🇪 Peru
The LM-116 (Carretera Barba Blanca-Autisha), located in the Huarochirí Province of the Lima Region, is widely regarded as one of the most nerve-wracking drives in the Peruvian Andes. This road follows the deep canyon of the Santa Eulalia River, offering a high-altitude transit that is as spectacular as it is terrifying. As seen in the technical imagery, the road is literally carved into the vertical limestone walls of the canyon. The surface is a mix of loose gravel and packed earth, often narrow enough that two cars cannot pass each other at the same time. This forces drivers to reverse on a narrow ledge with hundreds of meters of vertical drop on one side and a solid rock wall on the other. Concentration must be absolute, as there are no guardrails protecting vehicles from the abyss below. The 20 km stretch running south-north from the settlement of Barba Blanca to the Autisha Bridge is an adrenaline-pumping journey. The reputation of the LM-116 is built on its fearsome geography: the road clings to the cliffs with a "free fall" drop that can reach several hundred meters. For passengers suffering from vertigo, this journey is a true nightmare, as the view from the window is often nothing but empty air. Beyond the height, the real mechanical danger comes from landslides. The steep, overhanging rock faces are unstable, and it is common to find large boulders blocking the path, especially after heavy rains. The curves are sharp and many are "blind," meaning you must sound your horn before every turn to avoid a head-on collision on a section too narrow to maneuver. The steepness of the climb also puts significant strain on the brakes and engine cooling systems of any vehicle attempting the transit. A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is the only sensible choice for this route. While the road is technically open to local traffic, it is not for the faint of heart or those inexperienced with Andean driving. Concentration is key; one simple mistake or a lapse in focus has been known to claim the lives of drivers on this specific stretch of the Lima mountains. The drive is best attempted in the dry season (May to September). During the Andean winter, the gravel surface can become a slippery mud trap, and the risk of catastrophic landslides increases tenfold. Despite the danger, the LM-116 remains a vital link for the small communities of the Santa Eulalia valley and offers some of the most raw and untouched canyon scenery in the entire country. If you decide to go, ensure your tires are in perfect condition and your passengers are prepared for an extreme "cliff-hanging" experience. 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.