Atacama Crossing 2025

Atacama Desert, Antofagasta, Chile

Atacama Crossing 2025: A 250 kilometer, 6-stage, 7-day, self-supported footrace in the Atacama Desert in Chile

A favorite race in the 4 Deserts Race Series and one of the world’s toughest endurance races traversing the unique landscape and terrain of the Atacama Desert while allowing for some of the most stunning views you could imagine.

Prepare for amazing sand dunes, brutal salt flats, and lunar-like terrain all in the backdrop of snow-capped volcanos in the driest desert in the world.

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Your experience at the Atacama Crossing

The Atacama Desert is an area of extraordinary beauty and astounding natural wonders. Go through magnificent salt flats stretching as far as the eye can see, run down sand dunes which will literally take your breath away, go through canyons where you can touch the walls on both sides and sleep under glittering night skies in this dry arid desert.

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Atacama Crossing Route

Starting at just below 3,200 meters / 10,500 feet in the Arcoiris Valley, the race gradually descends over the six stages to finish in the pretty town of San Pedro de Atacama at an elevation of 2,400 meters / 7,900 feet. There is 1,683 meters / 5,521 feet of elevation gain and 2,508 meters / 8,228 feet of elevation loss over the 7-day race.

Atacama Desert Terrain

The course of the Atacama Crossing has a wide variety of terrains. You will tackle sand-dunes, river crossings, gravel, loose rocks, hard-packed earth and even waist-high grass.

This is in addition to the infamous salt flats (described as “frozen broccoli / a ploughed field”) that will challenge even the most dexterous of runners to cross at full-speed.

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Find out more in this Atacama Crossing Webinar about the 250km / 155 mile ultramarathon:

If you stay a bit longer check out the sandboarding in Atacama.

4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series

Embrace the ultimate adventure and sign up for this prestigious trail series in the world. Run 250 kilometers in seven days in each of the four deserts: Namib Race (Namibia), the Gobi March (Mongolia), the Atacama Crossing (Chile) and The Last Desert (Antarctica). Read more

Photo Credit: RacingThePlanet