Don’t glance down at your phone on the road to Uspallata Pass in the Andes
Argentina, south-america
17 km
3,810 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso Uspallata, an epic mountain pass sitting way up high at 3,810m (12,500ft) in the Chilean Valparaíso Region.
You might also hear it called Bermejo Pass or Cumbre Pass. It's not far from the famous Paso Internacional de los Libertadores, north of Santiago and pretty close to the Argentinian border.
Forget smooth tarmac; this is a 17km (10.56 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt road known as E-773, or Camino Cristo Redentor. Nowadays, it's more of a scenic route to see the Christ the Redeemer of the Andes statue.
But don’t let the pretty statue fool you. This road is STEEP – we're talking gradients over 15% – and packed with 65 hairpin turns that will seriously test your driving skills. If you get queasy easily or are scared of landslides, maybe skip this one. A tunnel took over as the main route back in 1980 for a reason!
Nestled high in the Andes, the views are insane, but Mother Nature calls the shots here. Only tackle this road in the summer when the snow is gone. Winter temps can plummet to -30°C, and heavy snowfall and rockfalls can shut things down in a heartbeat.
Where is it?
Don’t glance down at your phone on the road to Uspallata Pass in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -40.0888, -60.7901
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 17 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,810 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -40.0888, -60.7901
Related Roads in south-america
hardDriving the hairy road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa in Peru
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in the Cusco Region of central Peru and you're craving an adrenaline rush, I've got just the road for you: the Santa María-Santa Teresa road, also known as Camino a Santa Teresa. This totally unpaved, 22.6km (14.04 mile) stretch runs north-south, connecting Santa Maria to Santa Teresa in the La Convención Province. Now, don't let the relatively short distance fool you – this drive is an adventure! Expect to spend about 60-75 minutes navigating this wild route. Get ready for some serious elevation, as this road climbs to 1,748m (5,734ft) above sea level. Now, I'm not going to sugarcoat it: this road isn't for the faint of heart. We're talking about seriously steep drops of hundreds of meters down to the Urubamba River. Plus, guardrails? Often nonexistent. Let's just say you'll want to keep your eyes on the road! It's a beautiful, but intense drive, so maybe skip it if you get dizzy easily or are nervous about landslides.
extremePortezuelo de Chulluncallani
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Portezuelo de Chulluncallani! This high-altitude pass in Chile's Arica y Parinacota Region, practically spitting distance from Bolivia, tops out at a breathtaking 4,492m (14,737ft). The A-319, a gravel road in decent condition, snakes its way through the stunning Las Vicuñas National Reserve. But don't let the pretty scenery fool you – this road demands respect! Prepare for seriously strong winds – they’re a constant companion. Even in summer, you could be greeted with snow. Winter? Brutally cold. With that elevation, snow can shut things down at any time. Fog can roll in thick and fast, so keep your wits about you if visibility drops. Altitude is the big challenge here. The air is THIN, with about 40% less oxygen than at sea level. Even if you're fit as a fiddle, altitude sickness can hit hard. Take it slow, listen to your body, and maybe skip this one if you have respiratory or heart issues. Engines struggle too! But if you're prepared for the challenge, the views are absolutely worth it.
moderateVeladero Mine
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: You're in the San Juan Province of Argentina, ready for an adventure. Get ready to rumble because you're heading to the Veladero gold mine! This isn't your average Sunday drive – it's a serious 4x4 track leading up to a whopping 3,850 meters (that's 12,631 feet!). We're talking some serious altitude, folks. The road itself? Gravel, so be prepared for a bumpy but beautiful ride. It leads to one of the largest gold mines *in the world*, so you know you're heading somewhere pretty significant. Get ready for some epic scenery; this remote area delivers views you won’t soon forget. Keep your eyes peeled; this is a working mine, and conditions can change. This drive isn't for the faint of heart, but if you're up for it, it's an experience you won't regret!
extremeHow to drive to Cerro Morado in Salta?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Cerro Morado, also known as Abra Ciénega, is calling your name! Located in the Santa Victoria department of Argentina, way up north where Salta kisses Jujuy province, this beast tops out at a staggering 4,726 meters (15,505 feet)! Yeah, it's one of Argentina's highest roads, no big deal. Forget pavement – this entire route is rugged, unpaved heaven (or hell, depending on your driving skills). You'll absolutely need a high-clearance vehicle, and 4x4 is your best friend, especially if it's been raining. Speaking of friends, you won't want to bring too many vehicles – this road is narrow! Oh, and did I mention the seriously steep drops? Let's just say you need your A-game here because the weather can flip on you in a heartbeat. Altitude sickness is a real possibility too. Starting from Paltoroa, it’s about 17.86 km (11.1 miles) to the summit, with a climb of 932 meters (3,058 feet), averaging a 5.21% gradient. What do you get for your effort? Unbelievable scenery! Think vibrant, colorful mountains and dramatic, eroded rock walls stretching as far as the eye can see. Just remember, this drive isn't for the faint of heart – it's tough, it's challenging, and it demands respect, but the views? Totally worth it!