Driving the extremely dizzy Tepehuacán de Guerrero Road
Mexico, north-america
100 km
1.36 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about the road to Tepehuacán de Guerrero in Hidalgo, Mexico! Nestled deep in the Sierra Madre Oriental mountains in the north of the state, this isn't your average highway.
Picture this: a wildly twisting, super-narrow road clinging to the mountainside, with jaw-dropping views of lush tropical jungle and forests at every turn. You'll pass through charming indigenous towns, experiencing the real heart of Mexico.
Starting from Mexico 85 in Allende (at 1,360 meters above sea level), you'll plunge down into a canyon, dropping to 260 meters in Huatepango. Then, hold on tight as you climb back up to Tepehuacán, reaching 1,560 meters. The rollercoaster continues as you descend again to a riverbed at 330 meters in Tamala before making your final ascent to Mexico 105 at 1,540 meters. All this elevation change happens in under 100 kilometers!
A word of caution: this road can be a bit treacherous. Fog is a frequent visitor during the rainy season, and ice can make things interesting in winter. But don't let that deter you! This route is a favorite among travelers, and you'll even find a popular resort nearby, known for its spiritual retreats and meditation.
Where is it?
Driving the extremely dizzy Tepehuacán de Guerrero Road is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 24.2745, -103.7720
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 100 km
- Max Elevation
- 1.36 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- 24.2745, -103.7720
Related Roads in north-america
extremeChute Canyon Road: Driving through the San Rafael Reef in Utah
🇺🇸 Usa
# Chute Canyon Road: Utah's Remote Desert Adventure Tucked deep in Emery County, Utah, Chute Canyon Road (CO 1016) is a wild backcountry drive that cuts right through the jaw-dropping limestone fins of the San Rafael Reef. If you're craving true isolation and geological drama, this route delivers in spades—it's a raw slice of the San Rafael Swell where you'll find incredible desert vistas mixed with echoes of Utah's boom-and-bust mining days. This route carves through central Utah's southern edge of the Swell, and the scenery is absolutely unreal. Picture this: you're cruising across flat desert one moment, and suddenly massive, tilted rock layers tower around you. The entire drive sits above 5,400 feet elevation, giving you that high-desert experience with deep canyons, sheer cliffs, and the kind of silence you only find on remote BLM land. Fair warning—this isn't a Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved and wildly inconsistent. You'll navigate everything from deep sand to jagged rock and dry washes. After rain, the clay and sand transform into a slippery nightmare that'll stop even serious off-roaders cold. This is 4WD-high-clearance territory only. Your regular sedan won't stand a chance. The route spans just 6.3 miles but tops out at 5,807 feet, and the technical terrain means you'll be crawling. Plan for serious time, and honestly? Don't go solo. This is remote enough that you need to be completely self-sufficient—extra water, fuel, a full-size spare, and zero cell service means help could be hours or days away. What makes this drive historically fascinating is all the mining relics scattered throughout. The area started seeing prospectors in the late 1800s, but really exploded during the 1950s uranium boom. Those old mine shafts, rusted equipment, and tailing piles you'll spot? They're remnants of miners hunting "yellowcake" in brutal conditions. Here's where it gets serious: summer heat in this canyon can easily smash 100°F, with canyon walls bouncing heat right back at you. But the real danger? Flash floods. This road follows a natural drainage, so a storm miles away can send a roaring wall of water and debris through in minutes. Always check the forecast before heading in. Come prepared: bring at least a gallon of water per person daily, a shovel, and traction boards (Maxtrax are clutch). If you break down, stay with your vehicle—wandering the San Rafael Reef unprepared is how people get lost. And definitely air down your tires to avoid getting bogged in those sandy washes.
moderateThe Wild Road to El Capulin
🇲🇽 Mexico
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever heard of El Capulín? This super-high mountain town in Mexico sits way up at 10,088 feet! We're talking one of the highest roads in the whole country. You'll find this hidden gem, famous for its beautiful church, nestled right on the edge of Morelos and Mexico City, smack-dab in the Cumbres del Ajusco National Park. Picture this: central Mexico at its finest! Now, for the road itself – Carretera al Capulín. Get ready for an off-road thrill because it's completely unpaved! You'll kick things off from the Xalatlaco-El Ajusco road. The wild ride stretches for about 7.2 miles. Climbing into the Sierra de las Cruces, the road peaks near Volcán El Muñeco, hitting a staggering 11,899 feet! But a word of warning: this area is known for its thick mist. Visibility can get seriously low, so keep your wits about you!
hardHow long is Utah State Route 12?
🇺🇸 Usa
Get ready for Utah Scenic Byway 12 – a 122-mile (197km) shot of pure Utah awesomeness connecting Wayne and Garfield Counties! Think of it as a paved time machine, whisking you away from U.S. 89 near Panguitch in the west to S.R. 24 near Torrey in the northeast. Okay, let's be real, this drive has some serious spice. We're talking steep climbs (up to 8% in places!), hairpin turns, and sections where the shoulder vanishes faster than free donuts at a marathon. And heights? Oh honey, if you're not a fan, buckle up tight. You'll be hugging cliffs with drops that will make you question everything you thought you knew about canyons. Seriously. Plus, those little rainstorms? They can turn into flash flood nightmares in a heartbeat. And did I mention the knife-edge highway with no guardrails? Yeah, that's a thing. This high-altitude adventure tops out at 9,609ft (2.929m), so keep an eye on the weather, especially in winter. Snow can shut things down until the plows work their magic. Heads up: cell service is spotty at best, so download those maps beforehand. Allow about 3 hours (without stops... but who are we kidding?) to cruise between Bryce Canyon and Capitol Reef National Parks, aiming for a chill 40 mph average speed. Spring and fall are your best bets to dodge the crowds. Is it worth it? A thousand times yes! The scenery is out-of-this-world gorgeous, with vistas that will blow your mind. You're driving through some of the most diverse and ruggedly beautiful landscapes in the US, passing by two national parks, three state parks, a national monument, and a national forest. It's a sensory overload of the best kind. Just make sure to tackle it during daylight hours so you don't miss a single moment!
moderatePine Nut Road
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for Pine Nut Road! This 5.9-mile dirt track is tucked away in the Desert National Wildlife Refuge, Nevada, east of the Sheep Range. Don't expect a smooth ride! It's gravel, rocky, and bumpy, but that's part of the fun. It's a north-south route from Mormon Well Road up toward Sheep Peak Mountains, ending at the Pine Nut Camp site. The road's condition is always changing. Dry? Might be a fairly easy drive for high-clearance vehicles. After rain? Watch out! It can get seriously muddy, slippery, and even impassable. That first large wash can be tricky. Heads up: this is a remote area. Be prepared! No cell service in spots, no services, no people. Bring plenty of water, food, a spare tire, shovel, tools, tow rope—basically, everything you'd need to survive a night in the desert.