
Abra Blanca, the world's highest road in 1915
Argentina, south-america
13 km
4,102 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Abra Blanca! This high-altitude pass, chilling at 4,102m (13,458ft), is nestled in the Salta Province of Argentina.
You'll be cruising on smooth, paved roads (with a few concrete sections thrown in for good measure) along Ruta Nacional 51 (RN51), heading from Salta to San Antonio de los Cobres. This pass is the highest point on that route!
Coming in at 48km (29 miles) long, stretching from Muñano to Santa Rosa de Tastil, Abra Blanca boasts a large parking lot at the summit – perfect for soaking in those mind-blowing views of the San Antonio de Los Cobres plateau way down below at 3,500 meters (11,500 feet). Keep an eye out for the occasional souvenir shop, too.
Fun fact: Back in the day, this pass was *the* highest drivable road in the world! While that record might not stand anymore, you can still find a little monument up there, covered in traveler stickers, marking the historic event. Trust me, even though it's understated, it's worth a stop. Plus, the nearby town of San Antonio de Los Cobres is just 13 kilometers away if you need to stock up on snacks! Get ready for some seriously epic landscapes.
Where is it?
Abra Blanca, the world's highest road in 1915 is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -36.3713, -62.5012
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 13 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,102 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -36.3713, -62.5012
Related Roads in south-america
hardLaguna Gallococha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of Central Peru, nestled high in the Department of Lima, lies Laguna Gallococha, a shimmering lagoon way up at a lung-busting 15,797 feet! Getting there? Buckle up, buttercup, because the gravel road is a bumpy ride. Seriously, this ain't your grandma's Sunday drive. You'll definitely need a 4x4 to conquer this beast. And be warned: even a little rain turns this track into a slippery, unpredictable mess. Keep an eye out for sudden patches of loose gravel that can throw you for a loop. But hey, if you come prepared, you're in for an unforgettable adventure with views that will blow your mind!
hardLaguna Tuni
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Laguna Tuni is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.494m (14,744ft) above the sea level, located in La Paz Department, in Bolivia. The road to the lake, located within the Cordillera Real of the Bolivian Andes, is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times with several hairpin turns. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 recommended. With such a high summit altitude the road can be closed anytime due to snowfalls. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. The climb is simply terrible, with a notorius lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Carretera Picada 108: Crossing the Wild Chaco to the Bolivian Border 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.
easyIs Patapampa Pass paved?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Abra Patapampa! This insane mountain pass punches through the Andes in Peru's Arequipa region, clocking in at a whopping 4,879m (16,007ft). Word on the street is it's one of the highest *paved* passes in the Americas. Speaking of pavement, the whole route (also known as Abra Pata Pampa) is smooth sailing on tarmac. You'll find it marked as 1S and 109, carving its way through the landscape as part of that legendary Chivay to Arequipa route. This epic stretch of road clocks in at 58.8 km (36.53 miles), connecting Chivay (the Colca Valley's main town) with the 34E road. At the summit, you’re greeted with souvenir stalls, a parking lot, and the Mirador de los Andes viewpoint. Fingers crossed for good weather, because the views are EVERYTHING. The climb? Some sections are pretty steep, hitting an 8% gradient, so get ready for a bit of a push. Keep an eye out for gravel patches, especially higher up, but overall, the road's in decent shape, the traffic's light, and the slopes are manageable. Even with the altitude, it's a relatively easy climb. Bonus points: near the summit (on the southwest side), there's a little gravel road that goes even higher, topping out at 5,000m (16,404ft)!
extremeCerro Yaritani
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're in southeastern Peru's Cusco Region and have a serious craving for altitude, Cerro Yaritani is calling your name. This gravel road climbs to a whopping 4,956m (16,259ft)! Heads up: you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this bumpy ride. Rain turns the road into a real challenge, so check the weather and be prepared for loose gravel. Seriously, plan ahead for this one. The views are incredible, but the altitude is no joke. If you have any respiratory or heart issues, maybe skip this one. And definitely no babies under 4 months! The air is thin, even your engine will struggle, and altitude sickness is common above 2,500 meters. It's a tough but rewarding journey!