
Can you drive to Sosneado Hotel?
Argentina, south-america
59.9 km
2,180 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride to the eerie Hotel Termas de El Sosneado! Deep in the Mendoza Province of Argentina, this isn't your typical Sunday drive.
Forget pavement, Provincial Route 220 is all about rocks, loose gravel, and maybe a little rubble for good measure. Oh, and did I mention the narrow wooden bridges, mud, and rivers of brown water you'll be splashing through?
Starting near El Sosneado, this off-road adventure stretches nearly 60 km to the ruined hotel, perched beside the Atuel River. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. You'll climb to over 2,000 meters above sea level!
Built in 1938, this luxury hotel met its end after an avalanche in 1953. The main draw? Thermal spring pools fed by the nearby Overo volcano! Word is you can still take a dip. Locals whisper about it being a former Nazi hideout. Spooky, right?
Set against the backdrop of the Andes, this trip will steal 2-3 hours of your day. Heads up: this road is usually impassable during winter. There are no services along the way, so pack a full tank of gas, food, and plenty of water. You've been warned!
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 59.9 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,180 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
extremeDriving the hairy road to Portachuelo Pass in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the ride of your life! We're headed to Paso Portachuelo Llanganuco in the Yungay province of Peru, a dizzying 4,717 meters (15,475 feet) above sea level. This isn't just a road; it's an adventure carved into the heart of the Cordillera Blanca, within Huascaran National Park, north of that crazy Punta Olimpica Tunnel. Forget smooth sailing — this 70.8 km (44-mile) stretch from Yungay to Yanama is pure, unadulterated, unpaved glory. We're talking 50 hairpin turns that will have you questioning your sanity (in the best way possible). Officially known as AN-106 (Carretera de Yungay), this ancient passageway, used since pre-Inca times, is not for the faint of heart. Imagine this: sheer drops meeting stone cliffs, hairpin turns so tight you'll need a Sherpa to guide you, and gradients hitting a hefty 11%. And if it's been raining? Get ready for loose stones and mud to test your driving skills. Oh, and keep an eye out for potential avalanches! But trust me, the rewards are HUGE. The views? Unreal. You'll be gazing at giants like Mounts Huascaran, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Pisco, Chacraraju, and Yanapaccha. Typically open year-round, this pass offers an insane corridor between the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds. Get ready for an experience that will leave you breathless – both from the altitude and the beauty.
extremeAbra Tolconi
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're heading to the Arequipa Region of Peru and craving a serious dose of altitude, you HAVE to check out Abra Tolconi. This mountain pass punches through the Andes at a staggering 4,860 meters (that's 15,945 feet!). The road? Well, let's just say it's "rustic." Think gravel, connecting Caylloma to Quiñota, so be prepared for a bumpy ride. But trust me, the views from the top are worth every jolt. We're talking panoramic vistas that stretch for miles! Now, a word of caution: this isn't your average Sunday drive. Pack plenty of water, snacks, extra fuel, a cozy jacket, and your trusty GPS and maps. You're climbing high and heading into remote territory! Be ready for potential challenges. Even a little rain can make things tricky, and avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are possibilities. Patches of ice can also make things interesting (read: dangerous). The good news is the climb itself is fairly gentle, so you won't be battling insane inclines. But be prepared!
extremePunta Yahuarcocha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Punta Yahuarcocha in Peru! This insane mountain pass in the Huancavelica region hits a whopping 16,338 feet. Seriously, you'll be gasping for air in the Angaraes province! The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking super steep gravel that climbs like crazy east of the Santa Ines to Huancavelica highway. You're heading into the wild, remote Andes, so come prepared. Rain turns this road into a beast, and watch out for avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides – they can pop up anytime and ice is a constant threat. But hey, the views? Absolutely epic. Just keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you!
extremeLaguna Chuchon
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because the 20A highway to Laguna Chuchon in Peru is not for the faint of heart! This gravel road, snaking its way up to a staggering 4,465m (14,648ft) in the Lima Region, is a true test of driving skills and nerve. Linking Lima and Colquijirca, this route offers mind-blowing mountain views that'll leave you breathless. But hold on tight – we’re talking seriously exposed edges, with sheer drops of hundreds of meters and absolutely no guardrails. If you're prone to vertigo, this might be one to skip! Be prepared for anything. At this altitude, heavy mist can roll in quickly, and snowfalls can shut the road down at any time. Avalanches, landslides, and icy patches are real possibilities. The climb is brutal, the air is thin, and altitude sickness is a definite concern. They say the road to San José de Parac nearby is even scarier, but honestly, this one's already pushing the limits!