
Driving the international San Francisco Pass in the Andes
Argentina, south-america
201 km
4,760 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're heading to Paso de San Francisco, a seriously epic international mountain pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border. We're talking sky-high – a whopping 15,616 feet above sea level!
This beauty connects Argentina's Catamarca province with Chile's Atacama Region, carving right through the heart of the Andes. Think volcanoes, towering peaks, shimmering salt flats, and stunning lagoons as your backdrop.
On the Argentina side, you'll be cruising on Ruta 60, a fully paved road stretching 125 miles from Fiambala. Get ready for some steep climbs and twisty turns as you wind your way up.
Chile's side, Ruta CH-31, is also paved as of 2019! This stretch clocks in at about 174 miles from Copiapó. Along the way, you'll hug the Maricunga salt flat in Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and pass the unreal Laguna Verde.
Where is it?
Driving the international San Francisco Pass in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -31.9228, -61.4279
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 201 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,760 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -31.9228, -61.4279
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