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.
The unpaved road to the summit is an old mine trail with brutally steep parts. 4x4 vehicle required. Due its unique location and the climb in elevation over thousands of feet, and passing through remote areas, it is important when driving in these conditions to be prepared. Don’t forget water, food, extra fuel, a warm jacket, a good GPS and maps. The surface isn’t great and there are some really steep sections. Located in the Andean Highlands the climb is simply terrible, with a notorius lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Near the summit, oxygen is in short supply. Expect harsh weather, extreme solar radiation and very high winds all together mixed with low temperatures. It’s one of the highest roads of South America.
Pic: De Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48562086