Ruta 5 in Chile runs from the Peruvian border, connecting with Ruta 1 19km north of Arica, down to Puerto Montt where it connects via ferry to Chiloé island. This major road is a bypass of the country’s capital, Santiago.
From the northern border up until just north of La Serena the road is a paved two lane highway with 60mph speed limit and becomes a 75mph, four lane freeway between La Serena and Puerto Montt.
Despite its relative modernity the road from Arica to Iquique is a notoriously dangerous drive. It winds through deep valleys with steep drops littered by the occasional vehicle carcass sitting eerily at the foot. The surrounding landscape is bare, almost vivid and often void of any distinguishing characteristics. It would be easy to lose concentration, as the vehicle skeletons suggest many have, and plunge into one of the imposing voids on either side. Also, the frequent dense fog can reduce visibility to zero in a matter of seconds if losing your focus wasn’t easy enough!
Why it's dangerous:
* The road is surrounded by deep valleys and sheer drops
* The surrounding landscape is almost featureless making concentration extremely difficult
* Thick fog often descends on the road and can dramatically reduce visibility in a matter of seconds
Comments
The wind started to pick up in the first of these (I was travelling north) and almost blew me off the bike. I had to reduce speed to walking pace to make the first descent.
Es de dos carriles y está totalmente asfaltada y muy bien señalizada. Dificultad mínima.
EDUARDO
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