An exhilarating compilation of the world's highest and steepest railway journeys, showcasing the engineering marvels and breathtaking landscapes of the Andean highlands. This list highlights essential routes for adventure travelers seeking unforgettable scenic experiences.
Get targeted exposure with custom position pinning and highlighted placement.
Known locally as 'El Tren a las Nubes,' this narrow-gauge railway climbs steeply from Cochabamba to Quillacollo in Bolivia. It offers dramatic views of the Andean slopes and features sharp switchbacks that showcase the region's rugged terrain.
A luxury train journey traveling from Cusco to Lake Titicaca through the heart of the Peruvian Andes. Passengers enjoy gourmet dining, live performances, and panoramic windows while crossing high-altitude plains and spotting vicuñas in their natural habitat.
Formerly the highest railway in the world, this Peruvian route connects Lima to La Oroya, crossing the Andes via the Ticlio pass. Although the peak section is often suspended, the journey remains a historic feat of engineering through cloud forests and alpine deserts.
This short but intense line in Argentina climbs from the arid plains up to the salt flats of Salinas Grandes. It provides a stark, beautiful landscape experience with dramatic elevation changes and views of the Quebrada de las Conchas.
While technically a cable car, this system integrates with the Metro system in Medellin, Colombia, ascending into the mountains above the city. It offers a unique perspective on the urban and mountainous interface, providing clear views of the Aburrá Valley.
A historic route that once connected Mendoza, Argentina, with Santiago, Chile, crossing the high Andes at 3,860 meters. Although passenger service is intermittent, the route through the Fraser Pass remains one of the highest and most dramatic rail corridors in the world.
Part of Bolivia's extensive network, this route traverses the Altiplano, offering stark, high-altitude landscapes and views of volcanic peaks. It is a vital transport link that also serves tourists interested in the industrial and geographical diversity of the central Andes.
Climbing to 4,220 meters, this tourist train departs from San Salvador de Jujuy and winds through tunnels and viaducts in the Quebrada de Humahuaca. It is renowned for its steep gradients and the spectacular Garganta del Diablo (Devil's Throat) viaduct.
Running from Antofagasta, Chile, to La Paz, Bolivia, this line crosses the arid Atacama Desert before ascending into the Andes. It offers a stark contrast between coastal dryness and high-altitude cold, highlighting the extreme geographical changes of the region.
Located in Argentina, this section of the Tren a las Nubes features the famous Kroyo tunnel, carved into the mountainside. The ride provides close-up views of the towering rock faces and the deep Quebrada del Toro canyon.
This historic route in Ecuador connects Quito with the high-altitude Laguna del Laja. It traverses páramo landscapes and offers serene views of the volcano Cotopaxi, providing a gentler but equally scenic Andean train experience.
A key component of the Tren a las Nubes in Argentina, this massive viaduct spans a deep gorge near 4,200 meters. The train crosses this engineering marvel, offering passengers vertiginous views and a tangible sense of the Andes' scale and danger.
This Bolivian railway line cuts through the high Andean plateau, connecting major cities and industrial centers. It is a working railway that also offers scenic trips through salt flats and volcanic landscapes, typical of the southern Altiplano.
Though in the Southern Andes at the edge of the world, this tourist train in Ushuaia, Argentina, offers a forested mountain ride. It travels through Tierra del Fuego National Park, providing a unique sub-Antarctic Andean experience with dense forests and rugged trails.
Located in Southern Patagonia, this narrow-gauge steam train winds through the Andean foothills near Esquel. It offers a nostalgic journey through native forests and rivers, showcasing the wild, untamed beauty of the southern Andes.
Currently under development, this planned railway aims to connect Machu Picchu to the Choquequirao ruins. It will traverse extremely steep Andean gorges, promising to become one of the most dramatic and challenging rail projects in recent history.
One of the highest railways in the world, this line serves the mining city of Cerro de Pasco at 4,350 meters. While primarily industrial, parts of the route offer stark, otherworldly views of the high-altitude mining landscape and surrounding peaks.
This route connects Santa Cruz to the Brazilian border, traversing the transitional zone between the Andes and the Amazon basin. It offers a lush, tropical mountain experience, differing from the high-altitude deserts seen on other Andean lines.
A historic line that climbs from the coastal desert into the central Andes, passing through the Mantaro Valley. It features impressive engineering works and offers views of traditional Peruvian villages and terraced hillsides.
This historic route crosses the Andes from Chile to Bolivia, offering views of the Salar de Atacama and high-altitude passes. It is a critical logistics route that also provides tourists with glimpses of the extreme environments of the central Andes.