How to drive through San Juan Pass in the Andes?
Paso de San Juan is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.607m (11,833ft) above sea level, located in the San Pedro de Atacama commune, in Chile.
Where is San Juan Pass?
The pass is located in El Loa Province of the Antofagasta Region, in the northern part of the country, on the Chilean Altiplano, a high desert plateau at the foot of the Andes Mountains.
Is San Juan Pass unpaved?
The road through the pass is totally unpaved, running through volcanic landscapes, arid plains, and grazing lands. It’s called Camino entre Río Grande y Machuca. The road surface is notoriously covered in sharp volcanic rock fragments and corrugated dirt sections, which rapidly degrade tires, necessitating at least two full-sized spares (they’ll be burning enough to bake a pizza).
How long is San Juan Pass?
The road is 13.6 km (8.45 miles) long, running west-east from Río Grande to Machuca, along the Grande River. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 794 m and the average gradient is 5.83%. A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is recommended, especially during the rainy season or in areas near salt flats and seasonal rivers.
What’s the weather like at San Juan Pass?
Set high in the Cordillera de la Sal of the Andes Mountains, high-altitude precautions are necessary: visitors should be aware of possible altitude sickness. Expect strong winds (dusty and dry), sunny conditions (dangerous without sunglasses), and take plenty of water.
Pic: Roberto Ortuzar