Where is Pichachén Pass?

Where is Pichachén Pass?

Chile, south-america

Length

180 km

Elevation

2,063 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Chile-Argentina border, high in the Andes, at a cool 6,768 feet above sea level. This is Paso Internacional Pichachén, and it's a wild ride!

We're talking about a 111-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt road connecting the Biobío Region in Chile with Argentina's Neuquén Province. Known locally as Cajon del Pichachen or Boquete de Antuco, this route (Ruta CH-5 in Chile and Ruta Provincial 6 in Argentina) is seriously twisty and will put your driving skills to the test.

Keep in mind, this isn't a year-round joyride. Mother Nature often shuts it down in the winter due to, well, pretty much zero maintenance. Expect crazy temperature changes too – scorching sun during the day, but bundle up for freezing nights. But hey, with views like these, who's complaining?

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Road Details

Country
Chile
Continent
south-america
Length
180 km
Max Elevation
2,063 m
Difficulty
hard

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