An epic enthralling road to Cortes Pass
Mexico, north-america
43.7 km
3,692 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso de Cortés! This legendary pass sits way up high at 12,112 feet, straddling the line between Puebla and the State of Mexico. We're talking seriously high – one of the highest roads you'll find in Mexico!
You'll find this beauty nestled in Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park, chilling between the majestic Popocatépetl and Ixtaccíhuatl volcanoes, just southeast of the bustling Mexico City.
The road itself, also called Tlamacaxco, is paved the whole way. Get ready for a twisty, uphill climb that's pretty darn steep, winding through forests of trees. It's about 27 miles from the town of Amecameca de Juárez (in Mexico State) on the west side, all the way to San Nicolás de Los Ranchos (in Puebla) on the east.
Give yourself about 1.5 to 2 hours to soak it all in. Once you reach the top, there's a big parking lot, a bar (hello, celebratory drink!), and an info center. Plus, it’s the jumping-off point for a hike to Estación de Altura Altzomoni, a crazy-high weather station sitting pretty at 13,074 feet!
Where is it?
An epic enthralling road to Cortes Pass is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 22.0013, -103.3055
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 43.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,692 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 22.0013, -103.3055
Related Roads in north-america
hardWhere is Verdi Peak?
🇺🇸 Usa
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! Verdi Peak in Sierra County, California, near the Nevada border, is calling your name. But getting there? That's half the fun. Picture this: you're tackling Verdi Peak Road, a fire road that climbs to a seriously impressive elevation. At the top, you'll find an abandoned lookout cabin with views for days – think sweeping panoramas of the Reno Valley and beyond. Now, the road itself? It's about getting a little rugged. It's rocky. We're talking medium-sized, round stones that can make things pretty bumpy, especially if you're not in a 4x4 or high-clearance vehicle. You'll definitely want to take it slow and steady to avoid any damage. The final few miles get pretty narrow and challenging. This climb kicks off from County Road S860, and it's a good one. You'll be tackling a steep ascent with a maximum gradient of 11.7% in places. It's just under 6 miles long, and you'll gain over 2,500 feet in elevation. The average gradient is 8.4%. One more thing: this area gets serious snow. Expect the road to be snow-covered from late November until late April or mid-May.
easyDriving the road to Mesa del Nayar with spectacular views
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through Mexico, leaving the charming town of Jesús María (a cool 1,400 feet above sea level) behind you, headed towards the coast at Ruiz, Nayarit. This isn't just any drive; it's a 87-mile (140 km) adventure on highway 44 through the heart of the Sierra Madre mountains. Get ready for some serious eye candy because the views of the Mesa del Nayar mountain mesa and its canyons are unreal. The road itself? It's a smooth, paved beauty built in 2013. But hold on, this isn't a straight shot; it's a winding path that climbs up to a mountain pass (almost 6,000 feet!) near Mesa del Nayar, treating you to even more breathtaking vistas of coastal mountains and dramatic canyons. The curves are nicely graded, but be warned: there are *a lot* of them. And when you're heading downhill, engine braking is your best friend; there are even two braking ramps along the way just in case. Don't miss the T-junction where Mexico 23 meets Mexico 44 just past Jesús María, opening up even more stunning Sierra Madre Mountain views towards Camino a Canoas or Ruta Tepehuana. Trust me, this drive is all about the journey, not just the destination.
moderateWhere is Prospect Mountain?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, so you're heading to Prospect Mountain in Colorado, huh? Buckle up! This baby sits way up high, making it one of the highest drives you'll find in the state. You'll find the peak smack dab in the middle of Lake County. Now, be warned, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road to the top is all dirt, so you'll definitely want a 4x4 to tackle it. The adventure starts near Leadville and it's a good distance to the top, so plan accordingly. Over that length, you'll be ascending...well, a lot! The views are incredible, but keep an eye out for changing weather. Heads up: this road is usually closed during the winter months, so plan your trip for when the snow has melted.
hardWhere is Vinegar Hill?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for a wild ride up Vinegar Hill in eastern Oregon's Umatilla National Forest! This beast of a mountain road clocks in at over 8,200 feet, making it one of the highest in the state. Starting near the old ghost town of Austin, you'll be tackling Forest Service Road 2010 (aka Vincent Creek Road). The first 6 miles are generally maintained, but after that, things get real. Expect a totally unpaved surface, so this is where you might want to park your sedan. The remaining 4 miles to the top demand 4WD! This isn't a Sunday drive, folks. You're looking at some seriously steep grades, topping out at a butt-clenching 15% in spots! From bottom to top, you'll climb about 3,600 feet in just 10 miles, averaging a pretty intense incline. Keep an eye out for snow blocking the path until around late June. But trust me, the views from the summit are worth every bump and grind!