Atacama Crossing (Chile) 2027

The Atacama Crossing is a 7-day, 250 km self-supported footrace across Chile's Atacama Desert. It begins high in the Andes foothills at approximately 3,300 meters above sea level and concludes in the town square of San Pedro de Atacama. This event has taken place annually since 2004 and is a component of the 4 Deserts Ultramarathon Series, which also includes races in Namibia, Mongolia, and Antarctica. Participants carry their own equipment between stages as the course crosses salt flats, sand dunes, narrow slot canyons, and arid desert valleys. The route features the Valley of the Moon, Valley of Mars, Valley of Death, Arcoiris Valley, and Salar de Atacama, with the Licancabur volcano frequently visible. It also goes through salt lakes and small Chilean villages. The race involves more descent than climbing, with approximately 1,683 meters of ascent and 2,508 meters of descent. The field is international, with recent editions seeing just over one hundred finishers, aligning with the race's remote, expedition-style nature.