
Dare to drive the dangerous road to Abra del Condor
Argentina, south-america
47.4 km
3,942 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Abra del Cóndor in Argentina is calling your name! We're talking a staggering 3,942 meters (12,933 feet) above sea level, perched right on the border between Jujuy and Salta provinces in the wild northwest.
This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about Ruta Provincial 133 and 13, AKA Carretera de Iruya, a mostly unpaved path stretching nearly 48 kilometers (30 miles) from the RN9, just north of Humahuaca, all the way to the charming village of Iruya. Get ready for a wild ride, because this road throws everything at you: endless twists and turns, hairpin curves that'll make your head spin, and seriously steep drops where you'll be hugging the mountainside. Oh, and did I mention you'll be fording rivers?
But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Imagine yourself surrounded by mind-blowing mountain landscapes, quaint, secluded villages, and off-road trails begging to be explored. You'll be treated to panoramic vistas of valleys dotted with cultivated terraces, all framed by vibrant, multi-colored mountains and bizarrely eroded rock formations.
Keep an eye on the weather, though! It's usually pretty dry, but summer storms can turn this road into a muddy mess. Your best bet? Plan your trip for June through October. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Where is it?
Dare to drive the dangerous road to Abra del Condor is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.4430, -65.9393
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 47.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,942 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -37.4430, -65.9393
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