
An Andean mountain road to Pehuenche Pass
Chile, south-america
167 km
2,557 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Paso Pehuenche is calling your name. This high-altitude beauty straddles the border between Argentina (Mendoza Province) and Chile (Maule Region) at a cool 8,389 feet above sea level.
We're talking a fully paved road trip (thanks to the 2018 upgrade!) stretching 104 miles between Las Loicas, Argentina, and San Clemente, Chile. Just hop on Ruta Nacional 145 (Argentina) or CH 115 (Chile) and get ready for some serious scenery.
Factor in about 2.5 to 3.5 hours of pure driving bliss (without stops, of course!). Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife – they love hanging out in the high country. And hold on tight, because this route isn't shy about its steepness, with gradients hitting a max of 11% in places!
Nestled deep in the Andes, Paso Pehuenche is typically open from December to March, weather permitting. So, pack your bags, check those dates, and prepare for an unforgettable ride!
Where is it?
An Andean mountain road to Pehuenche Pass is located in Chile (south-america). Coordinates: -37.4404, -69.8687
Road Details
- Country
- Chile
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 167 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,557 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -37.4404, -69.8687
Related Roads in south-america
extremeHow dangerous is the road through Mantaro River Canyon?
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're craving an adventure that'll test your mettle (and maybe your sanity), you HAVE to check out the Cañon del Río Mantaro in Peru's Huancavelica region. This canyon is absolutely breathtaking, but fair warning: the road through it is NOT for the faint of heart. We're talking seriously narrow stretches hugging cliffs with unprotected 200-meter drops straight into the roaring river below. Yeah, you read that right – no guardrails! This road, known as 3S, is mostly paved, but the sketchiest sections are gravel. Trust me, this isn't just a scenic drive; it's an adrenaline-pumping experience where words and pictures simply can't capture the intensity. The route stretches for 147 km (92 miles), winding its way from Izcuchaca (at a lofty 2,939 meters above sea level) down to Huanta (at a slightly lower 2,628 meters). You'll be tracing the Mantaro River, the Amazon's most distant source. So, if you're up for a challenge and a serious dose of stunning scenery, this road trip is calling your name! Just remember to pack your courage.
moderateRoballos Pass is an Andean pass from Chile to Argentina
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Paso Rodolfo Roballos is an epic mountain pass sitting pretty at 651 meters (2,135 feet), straddling the border between Chile and Argentina. This route connects the Capitán Prat Province in Chile's Aisén Region to Bajo Caracoles in Argentina's Santa Cruz Province. We're talking serious Andes scenery here! The road itself? Let's just say it's an *experience*. Think totally unpaved, washboard surfaces, and the occasional muddy stone thrown in for good measure. It's known as Ruta X-83 on the Chilean side and Ruta Provincial Nº 41 in Argentina. Clocking in at 163 km (101 miles) from Cochrane, Chile to Bajo Caracoles, Argentina, you'll find the road starts off smooth but gets a bit rougher with corrugations and loose gravel as you climb to the border offices. The descent towards Bajo Caracoles lets you pick up some speed, but those corrugations stick around. Budget about 3-4 hours of driving time, non-stop. Compared to the Chile Chico pass to the north, Paso Roballos is a bit more secluded with less traffic. It's generally open year-round, but be aware that heavy snowfall can occasionally shut things down. Oh, and the weather? Let's just say it's as unpredictable as your travel plans might be, so be prepared for anything!
hardA 4x4 adventure to Condor Pass in the Salvador Dalí Desert
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright adventure junkies, buckle up for Paso del Condor! This beast of a pass tops out at a staggering 4,730m (15,518ft) in the Potosí Department of Bolivia. Seriously, it's up there! You'll find this stunner in the Sur Lípez Province, chilling out in the southwest near the Chilean border, inside the wild Salvador Dalí Desert (or Dalí Valley, if you’re feeling fancy). Trust me, the landscape is straight out of a Salvador Dalí painting. Think surreal rock formations and otherworldly vibes. Now, the road itself is a bit of a beast. We're talking totally unpaved and seriously sandy, so a 4x4 is non-negotiable. Coming from Laguna Blanca, the incline isn't too bad and the surface is doable. But heads up, the descent is a different story – a bit rougher, though still manageable if you're heading the other way. Make sure to check out the crazy Piedras de Dalí rock formations just east of the road. This 40km (24.85 miles) stretch from Laguna Salada to Laguna Blanca is pure visual candy. Get ready for mind-blowing views of Lagunas Blanca and Verde, plus a whole bunch of volcanoes like Licancabur and Juriques. It's the kind of scenery that'll make you want to pull over every five minutes for a photo op!
extremeLaguna Viscacha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Laguna Viscacha! This stunner of a high-altitude lake sits way up in the Peruvian Andes, in the Mariscal Nieto Province. We're talking a whopping 4,614 meters (that's 15,137 feet!) above sea level. The road up, known as 36A, is paved but don't let that fool you – it's a seriously steep climb. Pro tip: avoid it completely if the weather looks sketchy. This road has a reputation for sudden snowstorms and whiteout conditions, which can make driving seriously intense. The ascent is brutal, and the air gets thin FAST. Most people start feeling the effects of altitude sickness way before you get to the top, so be prepared. And near the summit? Oxygen is definitely optional!