A memorable road trip to Abra del Lizoite
Argentina, south-america
78 km
2.4 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Abra del Lizoite, a seriously high mountain pass in Argentina, clocking in at a whopping 4,536m (14,882ft)! We're talking about one of the highest roads in the whole country, so prepare for some serious altitude.
You'll find this beast nestled west of Abra Campana, right on the border between Jujuy and Salta provinces, up in northern Argentina near Bolivia. Think stunning, remote landscapes.
Now, let's be real: the road to the top is a wild ride. It's entirely unpaved and seriously challenging, with more curves and hairpin turns than you can count. If you get carsick easily, maybe think twice! And definitely bring a high-clearance vehicle – you'll need it. This epic road is known as Ruta Provincial 5 (RP5) in Jujuy Province and Ruta Provincial 7 (RP7) in Salta Province.
The whole thing stretches for about 78km (48 miles), running from Cajas (in Jujuy) to the seriously cool high-altitude town of Santa Victoria Oeste in Salta, which sits pretty at 2,400m above sea level. The scenery is absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive, trust me!
Where is it?
A memorable road trip to Abra del Lizoite is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.4689, -63.0536
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 78 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.4 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -37.4689, -63.0536
Related Roads in south-america
hardThe inhumane climb to Cerro Ávila with 20% ramps
🌍 Venezuela
Okay, so picture this: you're in Venezuela, itching for an adventure, and someone whispers about Cerro Ávila. This mountain peak, chilling at 2,156m (7,073ft), isn't your average Sunday drive. Tucked away in the Waraira Repano national park, the road up is paved with cobblestones, which is cool, right? But hold up—it's narrow, seriously steep, and those turns? Sharp doesn’t even cover it! Definitely a road where you'll want to take it slow. But trust me, the views are worth it. As you climb, the scenery is epic. When you finally get to the top, you're treated to panoramic vistas of Caracas and the sparkling Caribbean Sea. And get this: there's a 19-story hotel, the Humboldt Hotel, built way back in '56. It's got 360-degree views for days! You can even catch a cable car up from Caracas if you're not feeling the drive. Word to the wise: weekends can get crazy busy. And honestly, with those steep slopes, a 4x4 is your best bet. The road starts from Avenida Boyacá in Caracas, and it's about 8.0 km to the top. You'll climb 1169 meters over the journey. Buckle up, it's a wild ride!
moderateThe challenging Puente Río Moat
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure seekers, picture this: you're way down south in Argentina, practically at the bottom of the world, about to cross the ridiculously cool Moat River bridge. This wooden wonder is only 42 meters long, but trust me, it feels epic! Get ready for a 90km gravel road trip through scenery that'll blow your mind. This route? Pure Patagonia magic. Just a heads up, though: keep your eyes peeled, because the road can be a bit rough and rugged. But hey, that's half the fun, right? Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
moderateDrive Across the Abra Chonta Pass in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Abra Chonta, sitting pretty at 4,875m (15,994 ft), is a must-do in the Huancavelica Region of Peru. You'll find it chilling east of Abra Huayraccasa, right in the heart of Peru, connecting Huancavelica and Angaraes provinces. The road? A mix of paved and unpaved goodness, but totally doable in a 2WD when it's dry. If you're rolling in from Huancavelica, this is one of the easiest climbs in the Andes – think 54 km of gently sloping tarmac, with gradients of just 2-3%. Officially known as HV115, this pass stretches for 63.4 km (39 miles), cruising from west to east, connecting Road 28D to the town of Lircay. Get ready for some seriously stunning scenery!
extremeDeath Road (North Yungas Road)
🇧🇴 Bolivia
# North Yungas Road: Bolivia's Infamous "Death Road" Welcome to one of the world's most notoriously thrilling routes: the North Yungas Road, or as locals and daredevils call it, the "Death Road." This 64-kilometer stretch connects La Paz to the charming town of Coroico in Bolivia's Yungas region, and it's basically a rollercoaster through multiple worlds. You'll plunge from 4,650 meters at La Cumbre pass down to a balmy 1,200 meters in the subtropical lowlands—that's a serious elevation drop that takes you from alpine chill to tropical heat in a single ride. Here's where it gets genuinely wild: the scariest section is a hair-raising single-lane dirt track barely 3.2 meters across, perched on a mountainside with sheer 600-meter cliff drops on one side and absolutely no guardrails. The rules? Downhill traffic has to hug the outside edge—meaning you're driving right along the cliff—so uphill vehicles get a better sightline. Naturally, this means drivers can't even see the road's edge. Factor in frequent fog, rain, and mudslides that transform the surface from rock to mud without warning, and you've got a recipe for disaster. The countless crosses and memorials dotting the route tell you exactly how many people have learned this lesson the hard way. Fast-forward to 2006, when a modern bypass road finally pulled most heavy traffic away from this death trap. Plot twist: the Death Road transformed into something totally different—now it's one of the planet's most sought-after mountain biking destinations. Thousands of adrenaline junkies bike the full 64-kilometer descent annually, usually wrapping it up in three to four hours. Sure, the removal of truck traffic made it vastly safer, but cyclists still get hurt here, and fatalities do happen. The real magic? Transitioning from freezing alpine conditions at the top to lush, steamy jungle at the bottom—it's surreal.