Piedras Rojas

Piedras Rojas sits on the edge of the Salar de Aguas Calientes at around 4,000 metres, where the shore rock is stained deep rust red by oxidised iron and the shallow brine behind it reads turquoise and white - a combination that put the place onto every Atacama itinerary within a few years. The site is on land belonging to the Socaire community, who administer access and have closed or restricted it more than once when visitor damage to the shore crust became obvious. Whether it is open, and on what terms, has varied; going means checking rather than assuming.

What you actually see

• Rust-red shore rock - iron oxidised in the salt.
• Turquoise and white brine - the salar behind the rocks.
• Four thousand metres of altitude - with the effects that brings.
• Community-controlled access - opened and closed as damage requires.

When to go

Year round, subject to whether the community has it open. Half a day.

Honest expectations

Access has been suspended in the past and conditions change - confirm before committing a day to it. The altitude is serious. Walking on the shore crust is what caused the restrictions. There are no facilities.

Nearby

Miscanti and Miniques are west; Socaire is down the valley.