What are the most spectacular roads in Chile?
From the whispering dunes of the Atacama to the icy embrace of Patagonian glaciers, Chile paints a mesmerizing canvas for road trip enthusiasts. Starting on Ruta 5, the Panamerican Highway unfurls the slender tapestry of Chile's dramatic geography. But beyond this iconic route lies the intrigue of Paso Internacional Los Libertadores, snaking through majestic mountain passes, and the challenging terrain leading to the Ojos del Salado stratovolcano, the world’s highest active volcano.
Dive deeper into the heart of the Atacama with Route 27, a ribbon of road where salt flats stretch to infinity and night skies boast a celestial brilliance unmatched anywhere else. The southern allure of the Carretera Austral beckons next, a captivating route winding through lush forests, shimmering fjords, and the untamed beauty of Patagonia. And for those craving more, the Paso del Planchón offers yet another testament to Chile’s road trip wonders.
In Chile, roads aren't just stretches of tarmac; they are narrators. Narrators of tales where ancient traditions blend seamlessly with breathtaking terrains, and where the dance of land and sea is as timeless as the wind. So, gear up, rev that engine, and embark on a Chilean odyssey where every bend, every ascent, and every horizon tells a story.
The road to Cerro Estrella is not for the faint of heart
Cerro Estrella is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.389m (17,680ft) above the sea level, located on the Chilean-Argentinian border. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.
Driving the defiant Phoenix Bridge Co
The Phoenix Bridge Co is a wooden bridge located in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
An epic road to Abra Taapaca
Abra Taapaca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.809m (15,777ft) above the sea level, located in the Nevados de Putre volcanic complex, in Chile's XV region of Tarapaca.. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Chile.
The Road To Caldera La Pacana Has it All
Caldera La Pacana is a resurgent caldera at an elevation of 4.983m (16,348ft) above the sea level, located on the eastern part of the Atacama Desert of northern Chile in the Antofagasta Region. It’sone of the highest mountain roads of Chile.
Travelling through Huahum Pass, one of the lowest passes of the Andes
Paso Huahum is an international mountain pass at an elevation of 625m (2,051ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes, on the border between Chile and Argentina. It’s one of the lowest passes of the southern Andes.
A paved road to Pino Hachado Pass in the Andes
Paso Pino Hachado is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.887m (6,190ft) above the sea level, located on the Argentina-Chile border.
An unforgettable road to Cuesta Codoceo
Cuesta Codoceo (Portezuelo Codoceo) is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.342m (14,245ft) above the sea level, located in the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park in the Atacama Region of Chile.
Salar de Quisquiro: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Salar de Quisquiro is a high mountain salt flat at an elevation of 4.210m (13,812ft) above the sea level located in the Antofagasta Region, of northern Chile. Daytime temperatures will reach up to 30 °C, while at night temperatures will tend to drop very low, even below freezing point in winter. There are often also b winds in the area.
Driving the road to Laguna de la Azufrera is not a piece of cake
Laguna de la Azufrera is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.288m (14,068ft) above the sea level, located in the Región de Antofagasta, in Chile.
A memorable road trip to Cerro Paranal
Cerro Paranal is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 2.635m (8,645ft) above the sea level located in the Atacama desert in Chile.
Icalma Pass: a sensational border road
Paso Icalma is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.307m (4,288ft) above the sea level located on the border of Argentina and Chile.
The breathtaking road to Cerro del Azufre
Cerro del Azufre is a stratovolcano at an elevation of 5.702m (18,707ft) above the sea level, located in El Loa Province, Antofagasta Region, Chile. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Termas del Flaco
Termas del Flaco is a hot springs resort with thermal baths at an elevation of 1.776m above the sea level located in the Región del Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, of Chile.
Road trip guide: Conquering Quebrada del Peñon
Quebrada del Peñon is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.792m (12,440ft) above the sea level, located in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert. Daytime temperatures will reach up to 30 °C, while at night temperatures will tend to drop very low, even below freezing point in winter. There are often also b winds in the area.
Travelling the challenging Ruta A-23
Ruta A-23 is one of the most challenging roads in the world. Located in the far northern corner of Chile, this spectacular, unpaved trail varies from smooth surfaces to stretches of washboard. It’s a 2wd road, weather permitting.
Salar de Aguas Calientes: an awe-inspiring route through extremely remote areas
Salar de Aguas Calientes is a high mountain salt flat at an elevation of 4.250m (13,943ft) above the sea level located in the Antofagasta Region, of northern Chile. Daytime temperatures will reach up to 30 °C, while at night temperatures will tend to drop very low, even below freezing point in winter. There are often also b winds in the area.
A paved road to Laguna Miscanti
Laguna Miscanti is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.120m (13,517ft) above the sea level, located in the altiplano of the Antofagasta Region, in northern Chile.
Cerro Toco
Cerro Toco is a stratovolcano at an elevation of 5,416m (17,769ft) above the sea level located on a lunar landscape in the eastern part of the high Atacama Desert of northern Chile in the Antofagasta Region. It’sone of the highest mountain roads of Chile.
Travel guide to the top of Cerro Pabellón
Cerro Pabellón is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.647m (15,246ft) above the sea level, located in the Atacama Desert, in the Ollagüe district, Antofagasta region, in Chile.
Puente Nininco
Puente Nininco is a wooden bridge located in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Cerro Armazones, The Road That Has It All
Cerro Armazones is a high mountain eak at an elevation of 3.060m (10,040ft) above the sea level, located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile, the driest and remotest on Earth.
Puente Las Corrientes
Puente Las Corrientes is a wooden bridge located in the Araucanía Region of southern Chile. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Cerro Chajnantor, an awe-inspiring route in the Atacama desert
Cerro Chajnantor is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.635m (18,487ft) above the sea level, located in the high Atacama region of Chile. It’s one of the highest roads of South America.
Road B-245
B-245 is a very scenic high mountain road located in the Andes mountains of northeastern Chile. The road offers great views of volcanoes and lakes.
Carreteras más altas de Chile
Ubicado en el continente sudamericano, Chile es una larga y estrecha área de tierra entre los Andes y el Océano Pacífico. El país más largo del mundo se caracteriza por una estrecha depresión entre las montañas y el mar.
A memorable road trip to Curiquinca Volcano
Curiquinca is a stratovolcano at an elevation of 5.625m (18,454ft) above the sea level, located on the border between Bolivia and Chile. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Ruta 24
Ruta 24 is a stunning drive in the Atacama Desert, one of the driest areas in the world. The road is 156km long and links Calama and Tocopilla.
Laguna de Lejia
Laguna de Legia is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.350m (14,271ft) above the sea level located in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile. This is a maintained road where a high clearance 2WD vehicle is able to travel safely at low speeds on long dry straight-of-ways, without losing control due to wash boarding, ruts, or dips.
Driving a 4x4 mine road to Acotango Volcano in the Andes
Volcán Acotango is a volcano located on the border of Bolivia and Chile. A 4x4 mining trail ascends to an altitude of 5,509m (18,074ft) above sea level. The track beyond this point continues further, but it is impassable. It is one of the highest roads in the country.
Laguna Salar de Pajonales
Laguna Salar de Pajonales is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 3.541m (11,617ft) above the sea level, located in the Región de Antofagasta, in Chile.
Road CH-21
CH-21 is a high mountain road located in northern Chile, in Antofagasta Region. The road is mostly unpaved and runs entirely over the 2.300m above the sea level.
Picavilque Pass, pure adventure
Abra Picavilque is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.085m (16,683ft) above the sea level, located near the Bolivian border, in Chile’s Region I (Tarapacá). It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.
Laguna Santa Rosa
Laguna Santa Rosa is a high mountain salt lake at an elevation of 3.810m (12,500ft) above the sea level, located in northern Chile’s Atacama Desert. Daytime temperatures will reach up to 30 °C, while at night temperatures will tend to drop very low, even below freezing point in winter. There are often also b winds in the area.
Laguna Verde
Located in the Andes Mountains of Chile, Laguna Verde is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.328m (14,200ft).
The breathtaking road to Portezuelo Sairécabur
Portezuelo Sairécabur is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.541m (18,179ft) above the sea level, located northeast of San Pedro de Atacama, on the border of Bolivia and Chile. It's one of the highest roads of the country.
Laguna del Inca o del Portillo
Laguna del Inca o del Portillo is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 2.853m (9,360ft) above the sea level, located in the high mountains of the Andes, in Valparaíso Region of Chile, close to the border with Argentina.