
Can you drive through La Veta Pass in CO?
Usa, north-america
9.01 km
2,864 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, so you're looking for a real Colorado adventure? Then check out La Veta Pass! This bad boy sits way up high at 9,396 feet, straddling Costilla and Huerfano counties.
Can you drive it? Absolutely, if you're prepared! We're talking about the *original* La Veta Pass, aka County Road 443, and it's a totally unpaved gem. You'll definitely need a high-clearance vehicle, but the payoff is a seriously uncrowded drive.
How long is this slice of off-road heaven? It's a sweet 5.6 miles snaking off Highway 160 in south-central Colorado. Back in the day, there was even a narrow-gauge railroad chugging through here! It later became a wagon road and finally a highway in the early '20s.
Just a heads-up: being nestled in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains means this road is a no-go in winter. And if you make it to the top, keep an eye out for the Uptop Historic District, a legit ghost town!
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 9.01 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,864 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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