A Road through the Scenic Pircas Negras Pass High in the Andes

A Road through the Scenic Pircas Negras Pass High in the Andes

Argentina, south-america

Length

40 km

Elevation

4,175 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let me tell you about Paso de Pircas Negras, or Black Pircas Pass: a seriously stunning high-altitude crossing sitting way up at 4,175m (13,697ft) on the border of Argentina and Chile.

Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Andes, this pass connects the Atacama Region in Chile with the La Rioja province of Argentina. Trust me, the scenery alone is worth the trip – think panoramic vistas that draw travelers from across the globe.

You'll be cruising along Ruta Nacional Nº 76 (in Argentina) and Carretera C359 (in Chile). Be warned: it's mostly unpaved and gets super narrow in sections (only about 40km is paved near the border crossing and Laguna Brava). A 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential.

This is a remote route, folks! The entire stretch is 427 km (265 miles) from Copiapó, Chile, to Villa Unión, Argentina.

Heads up: This pass is typically open from November 1st to April 30th, from 9 am to 6 pm – weather permitting. Snowfall can be intense, with over 2 meters blanketing the summit in winter. So plan accordingly and prepare for some truly epic views!

Where is it?

A Road through the Scenic Pircas Negras Pass High in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -34.8509, -61.7899

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
40 km
Max Elevation
4,175 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-34.8509, -61.7899

Related Roads in south-america

Travel Guide to Abra Milloc in the Andesmoderate

Travel Guide to Abra Milloc in the Andes

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: Abra Milloc, or Punta Seis Lagos as the locals call it, is a sky-high Andean pass sitting pretty at a whopping 4,826m (that's 15,833ft!). You'll find it straddling the Junín and Lima regions in Peru, right in the western heart of the country. The name? It translates to "Six Lakes Peak," and trust me, the views live up to the hype! You're cruising through a landscape peppered with six unbelievably colorful lakes. Seriously, bring your camera! The road itself? It’s about 60km (38 miles) of unpaved goodness stretching from Casapalca to Huanza. But don’t let the "unpaved" part scare you; the surface is actually pretty decent. It's mostly flat and manageable when dry. This beauty is also known as LM 116 or the Carretera Milloc-Marcapomacocha. It’s not super steep either, just a gradual climb. That said, you're still out there, so load up on water, snacks, extra fuel, and a warm layer (it gets chilly up there!). A reliable GPS and some good old-fashioned maps wouldn't hurt either.

Quebrada Hondahard

Quebrada Honda

🇵🇪 Peru

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Quebrada Honda in the Ancash Region of Peru! This insane mountain pass tops out at a whopping 16,079 feet. Located inside Huascarán National Park, the road is mostly gravel, so be prepared for a bumpy ride – think rocky, tippy, and definitely an experience for seasoned off-roaders only. Seriously, if unpaved mountain roads aren't your thing, maybe skip this one. You'll need a 4x4, and a good head for heights because this trail is STEEP! Rainy conditions can turn the road into a muddy mess. Oh, and FYI, there are a few mines up at the summit. Just a heads up for your epic adventure!

How to get to Abra Llamaorgo?extreme

How to get to Abra Llamaorgo?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Abra Llamaorgo in the Huancavelica region of Peru is calling your name! This insane mountain pass tops out at a whopping 15,419 feet, so get ready for some seriously thin air. You'll kick off your ascent near \[city name], tackling [length] of winding road with an almost 1,000-meter climb. Picture this: hairpin turns galore clinging to the mountainside with jaw-dropping views at every switchback. The road? Think mostly gravel and dirt, but surprisingly decent. A regular car *might* make it if you take it super slow and the weather's on your side. Now, the not-so-chill part: this road is STEEP – we're talking double-digit gradients in places! The weather is a total wildcard at this altitude, and rain can turn that dirt into a slick mess in a heartbeat. Plus, keep an eye out for snow, landslides, and even avalanches – yeah, it’s that wild! Pro tip: pack like you're heading to the moon. Extra fuel, water, food, warm clothes – the works! A solid GPS and actual paper maps are a must, because cell service is a myth out here. Best time to go? Aim for the dry season (May to September). Rainy season? Mud and ice become major party crashers. And remember, that high altitude will mess with your engine and your lungs, so pace yourself!

Where is Cerro Atacazo?hard

Where is Cerro Atacazo?

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Cerro Atacazo is a stratovolcano at an elevation of 4.155m (13,631ft) above sea level located in highest roads in the country Where is Cerro Atacazo? The peak is located southwest of , in the north-central part of the country. What’s at the summit of Cerro Atacazo? , the summit is crowned with many antennas. The views of Quito are Is the road to the antennas at the Summit of Cerro Atacazo unpaved? The road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s a bumpy gravel road that has been eroded by rainstorms and is dusty in dry weather and muddy in wet. This is a demanding, tough road in remote mountains with uncertain weather, where altitude can cause real problems. You’ll need a 4WD, high-clearance vehicle . Your vehicle needs to be in good shape and be prepared for a lag in power. How long is the road to the antennas at the Summit of Cerro Atacazo? The road to the antennas is very steep. It’s 9.5km (5.9 miles) long starting from . Over this distance, the elevation gain is 943m and the average gradient is Travel Guide to La Virgen Pass Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.