A very bumpy, grueling road to Puna Jujeña
Argentina, south-america
70 km
4,438 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Puna Jujeña! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking about a seriously stunning, sky-high pass in the Rinconada Department of Argentina, clocking in at a breathtaking 4,438 meters (that's 14,560 feet for us imperial folks!).
You'll find this gem nestled way up in Jujuy Province, in the northern reaches of the country. The road itself? Well, let's just say it's "rustic." Ruta Nacional 40 (RN40) to be exact – 70 kilometers (or around 43 miles) of pure, unadulterated unpaved road winding its way between Orosmayo and Coranzuli.
Prepare for some seriously otherworldly views; picture a lunar landscape unfolding before your very eyes. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road – this is a remote route, so come prepared, and be ready for an unforgettable journey!
Where is it?
A very bumpy, grueling road to Puna Jujeña is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -39.7063, -67.4154
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 70 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,438 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -39.7063, -67.4154
Related Roads in south-america
moderateWhere is El Aguilar?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got the inside scoop on a crazy road trip to El Aguilar, a seriously high-altitude town nestled in the Jujuy Province of Argentina, practically spitting distance from Bolivia. This place is a real gem, where life revolves around mining and the air is thin. The road in, oh boy, it's a doozy! We're talking about 45.4 km of pure Argentinian backroad bliss, also known as Ex Ruta Nacional 40. Prepare for a bone-rattling, bumpy ride through the Puna Jujeña, a truly wild landscape in the Andes. Get ready for some spectacular scenery, but keep your eyes peeled – this road demands your full attention! Just remember you are climbing to some of the highest altitudes in Argentina.
extremeHU-110: Driving the high-altitude lake route in the Peruvian Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Get ready for a wild ride on the HU-110, a high-altitude adventure deep in the Peruvian Andes! This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a 42.7 km (26.5 mile) stretch of pure, unadulterated off-road bliss (or maybe not-so-bliss if you're not prepared!). Picture this: you're cruising (slowly!) from Antacolpa towards the Lima region border, surrounded by some seriously stunning glacial scenery. The road? Well, "road" might be a generous term. It's mostly dirt and gravel, so a high-clearance vehicle is your best friend here. Trust me. This baby climbs high, really high – topping out near 4,700 meters. So, yeah, altitude sickness is a real thing to consider. And don't be surprised if your engine feels a little sluggish. The HU-110 is narrow, like squeeze-past-another-car-with-inches-to-spare narrow. Expect some steep climbs, hairpin turns, and zero guardrails. But the views? Oh, the views! The highlight reel features a string of incredible high-altitude lakes. As you rumble along (north to south), you'll pass Laguna Ichikqucha, Laguna Hatunqucha, Laguna Qullqiqucha, and finally Laguna Puywanqucha. Each lake is nestled in a raw, glacial landscape, with the road often hugging the shoreline. Now, let's talk reality. The altitude isn't the only challenge. The weather here is about as predictable as a toddler. Rain, snow, fog – it can all happen in a heartbeat, turning that dirt road into a muddy mess. There are absolutely no services along the way. No gas stations. No help. You need to be totally self-sufficient and check conditions beforehand. Basically, if a big storm rolls through, you might be stuck. So pack smart, drive safe, and get ready for an epic Andean adventure!
hardAzufrera Tacora
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a wild one for you: the A-107, a gravel and rocky road leading to the abandoned Azufrera Tacora sulphur mine. This ghost town of Aguas Calientes sits right on the Chile-Peru border at a staggering 4,518m (14,822ft) above sea level. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a 4x4 track, and a brutal climb. The air is thin, *really* thin, so be prepared to feel the altitude – most people start feeling it way lower, around 2,500-2,800 meters. Starting from Tacora (already at a hefty 4,090m), it's a 15.3km trek. And pro-tip: watch where you're going – seriously. There could be a mine field! But hey, imagine the views. Just remember to check the weather; you do *not* want to be up here in a storm.
moderateDriving the Scenic Camino 6 de Septiembre to Cerro Pan de Azúcar in Córdoba
🇦🇷 Argentina
Cerro Pan de Azúcar is a famous mountain pass reaching an elevation of 1,023m (3,356ft) above sea level in the Sierras Chicas of Córdoba, Argentina. The road over the pass, known as the Camino 6 de Septiembre, is a classic mountain route connecting the Punilla Valley with the Sierras Chicas. The summit is a major tourist landmark. It is dominated by a massive 14-meter iron cross, which is visible from miles away. Visitors can also find a restaurant, a parking lot, and the famous "Aerosilla" (chairlift) that takes tourists to the very top for a panoramic view of the Punilla Valley and the city of Córdoba. The road through the summit features both paved and unpaved sections. Known officially as Ruta Provincial 54, this dirt track was built in 1931. It remains a rugged and curvy mountain road, offering a true "old-school" driving experience. While parts near the towns are improved, long stretches consist of loose gravel and earth that require careful navigation. Located in the scenic Punilla Valley, the road through the pass is 28km (17 miles) long. It runs west-east from Cosquín, the oldest town in the Punilla Valley and famous for its folklore festival, to Villa Allende. The drive is notoriously curvy, with steep sections that offer rewarding views of the Mediterranean-style scrubland typical of the Córdoba mountains. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.