Cuesta de Miranda

Cuesta de Miranda

Argentina, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

2,020 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up, road trip fans! We're heading to Argentina's La Rioja Province for a ride on the Cuesta de Miranda. This baby climbs to a cool 2,020 meters (that's 6,627 feet!) and is totally paved, so no need for a monster truck.

You'll cruise along Ruta Nacional Nº 40, a legendary route that slices through Argentina. This stretch of road took about 10 years to build back in the day, and was finally fully paved in 2015. You'll be hugging the Miranda River, but listen up: weather here can be a beast. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are a real threat, and ice patches are super common. So keep an eye on the forecast and maybe avoid this one when things get dicey. Prepare for a twisty, turny adventure that keeps you on your toes.

Where is it?

Cuesta de Miranda is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -38.8048, -65.9031

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
2,020 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-38.8048, -65.9031

Related Roads in south-america

Ruta Provincial 2hard

Ruta Provincial 2

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, picture this: you're cruising along the Ruta Provincial 2 in Argentina's Valdes Peninsula, right on the Atlantic coast. This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's a 139km adventure! The road starts with some nice asphalt, but quickly turns into "ripio," which is basically gravel. It connects the Ruta Nacional 3 to the tiny town of Punta Delgada on the Golfo Nuevo. Now, weather here is WILD. Valdes Peninsula is semi-arid, so things change fast, and the wind can be intense. That's why they recommend sticking to 60km/hour. Trust me, a cracked windshield or flat tire will ruin your wildlife spotting! Speaking of which, this route is all about the scenery. You'll have the chance to spot massive marine animals in their natural habitat. It’s usually maintained so a normal car *could* do it if you’re careful and the weather is good. That said, for max comfort and fewer worries, seriously consider renting a 4x4. The gravel can get loose, especially on the edges, and muddy after rain. Basically, come prepared for an adventure!

Where is Tequendama Falls?hard

Where is Tequendama Falls?

🇨🇴 Colombia

Okay, so you're headed to Tequendama Falls in Colombia, just a hop, skip, and a jump from Bogotá? Buckle up for a quick but potentially wild ride! The paved road is only about 16 miles, running generally east-west from the main highway, but those curves are no joke – super tight and can be a bit treacherous, so keep your eyes on the road. The falls themselves are seriously impressive, plunging over 400 feet! But there's more than just water here. Check out the old Hotel del Salto – it's got a fascinating (and slightly dark) history. Perched right on the cliff edge, it once offered killer views, but sadly, it became a popular spot for... well, let's just say it has a *very* haunted vibe now. They've turned it into a museum, so you can explore the history (and maybe spot a ghost!). Legend has it the falls were created by Bochica, a Muisca deity who broke the ground with his staff. Whether you believe the legend or not, the scenery is stunning. Just remember to take it slow on those curves!

Where is Jama Pass?moderate

Where is Jama Pass?

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, picture this: Paso de Jama. It's this crazy-high mountain pass chilling right on the border of Chile and Argentina, clocking in at a whopping 4,283 meters (that's 14,051 feet!). This epic route is your go-to if you're trying to get from Jujuy in Argentina to San Pedro de Atacama in Chile. Think of it as the ultimate shortcut between these two countries. Plus, it drops you super close to that tri-country point where Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina all meet. Once you're past the border, you've still got about 160 kilometers (100 miles) to go before you hit San Pedro de Atacama, cruising through parts of the stunning Los Flamencos National Reserve. You'll probably see some big rigs too, since this pass is a major truck route linking northern Argentina and Paraguay with Chile's northern ports. The road's been open since '91, and thankfully, it's been paved smooth since 2005. You can usually drive it year-round, but keep an eye out for snow closures. One minute you're baking in 30°C sunshine, the next you're freezing your tail off – especially at night and in winter. Oh, and hold onto your hats – the wind can get pretty intense up there! You're in the Andes, remember? It's a pretty desolate, semi-desert landscape, and you're riding high at an average altitude of 3000 meters. Pro tip: pack warm clothes, and don't stuff your face before you head up – altitude sickness is real! The road is CH-27 in Chile and National Route 52 in Argentina. The highest point on the Chilean side is even higher, like 4,832m (15,853ft), about 100 km west of the border. From Jujuy, it's pretty much uphill the whole way to Jama, about 349 kilometers. After the pass, it's another 160 kilometers of smooth, downhill cruising to San Pedro de Atacama. Boom.

Where is Laguna Colorada?hard

Where is Laguna Colorada?

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Okay, picture this: Bolivia, high up in the Potosí department. You're cruising along a totally unpaved road in your 4x4, surrounded by the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. This ain't your average Sunday drive! You're at over 4,000 meters above sea level (that's seriously high!), tackling about 50 km of wild, unadulterated road that stretches from Villa Alota all the way south to the Chilean border at Ollagüe. Keep your eyes peeled, because this area is home to a bunch of endangered flamingos chilling in the red waters. That vibrant, reddish hue? It's all thanks to a crazy mix of algae and minerals that puts on a show in the afternoons. Trust me, you won't forget the Laguna Colorada anytime soon.