
A gravel road to the Damas Pass border in the Andes
Argentina, south-america
N/A
3,081 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso de las Damas! This beast of a road straddles the border between Argentina (Mendoza province) and Chile (O'Higgins Region) high up in the Andes. We're talking serious altitude here, topping out at 3,081 meters (10,108 feet)!
This isn't your Sunday drive. The road's unpaved, and you'll be wrestling with steep inclines and plenty of loose rock. A high-clearance 4x4 is an absolute must. Oh, and did I mention the river crossings? Prepare for some potentially deep splashes!
The thin air at this altitude is no joke, so take it easy. But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! Just remember, respect the mountain, and she'll reward you with an unforgettable experience.
Where is it?
A gravel road to the Damas Pass border in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -39.0820, -63.4003
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,081 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -39.0820, -63.4003
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