Driving the Scenic Route of Puerto San Luis Through Sierra Madre Occidental

Driving the Scenic Route of Puerto San Luis Through Sierra Madre Occidental

Mexico, north-america

Length

160 km

Elevation

1,967 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Get ready for an epic road trip through the heart of Mexico! Puerto San Luis, sitting pretty at 1,967m (6,453ft), straddles the border between Sonora and Chihuahua, bringing you face-to-face with the raw beauty of the desert.

This 160km (100 mile) stretch of Carretera Federal 2 winds its way from Agua Prieta (Sonora) to Janos (Chihuahua), offering stunning views in every direction.

Carved into the Sierra Madre Occidental between the 70s and 80s, this fully paved road is open year-round, but winter brings its own set of challenges. Snow and ice can make things tricky, so keep a close eye on the weather forecast and maybe postpone your trip if there’s a risk of getting stranded.

Expect steep climbs, tight turns, and a particularly gnarly hairpin called 'La Herradura' that will test your skills. Watch out for heavy truck traffic that can sometimes cause jams! Remember to give priority to uphill truckers – those loaded rigs have a tough time restarting mid-climb. Slow and steady wins the race here! With blind turns and heavy vehicles, it's best to keep your speed down. Word on the street is the Mexican government is planning to improve the road soon, so even more reason to check it out.

Where is it?

Driving the Scenic Route of Puerto San Luis Through Sierra Madre Occidental is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 24.1404, -102.0235

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Mexico
Continent
north-america
Length
160 km
Max Elevation
1,967 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
24.1404, -102.0235

Related Roads in north-america

Where is Lion's Back in UT?extreme

Where is Lion's Back in UT?

🇺🇸 Usa

Lion's Back is a famous sandstone ridge located near the city of Moab in the US state of Utah. It is now private property and no longer accessible by 4x4 enthusiasts. Where is Lion's Back in UT? Lion's Back is located in the heart of the Colorado Plateau, near Moab, in Grand County, in the eastern part of Utah, in the western United States. It’s located to the east of the iconic Why is Lion's Back in UT famous? It gained popularity in the early 2000s as a daring climb for off-road vehicles due to its steep incline and rugged terrain. How is Lion's Back in UT? The climb is several hundred feet up (350 feet), and the slope has a gradient of up to 65 degrees in places; then the world’s most precarious 3-point turn at the top of the rock, before the hair-raising descent. It's said to be one of the most iconic off-road obstacles on the planet. As the tire tracks on the rock show, plenty of off-roaders have proved their insanity here. Excellent traction enabled vehicles to surmount inclines of incredible steepness, but plenty of power is necessary. The climb involves several hundred feet on a steep slope, and then a 5 to 9-point turn-around at the top of the rock before slowly descending the same way up. Drivers ascended a steep stone ramp, surrounded on all sides by precipitous drop-offs. This amazing and dangerous rock was not for stock vehicles or novice drivers. The most famous accident on Lion's Back This rocky hill was known for a video showing a Chevrolet Blazer losing its brakes and rolling down the hill, plunging 30 feet to the ground. The accident was featured on several TV shows. Why is Lion's Back at Moab closed? The experience was simply stunning. Despite its allure to adrenaline junkies, Lion's Back was eventually closed to vehicle traffic due to safety concerns and environmental considerations. The closure came after several incidents and accidents on the trail, highlighting the risks associated with attempting such treacherous off-road challenges. In 2004, this land was purchased by a real estate developer and has since been closed to the public. Now it’s privately owned and no longer accessible by 4x4 enthusiasts. It is one of those obstacles that looks much more intimidating than it is difficult. While Lion's Back is no longer accessible for 4x4 vehicles, it remains a notable landmark in the Moab area and serves as a reminder of the region's rugged terrain and adventurous spirit. Dare to drive the Yankee Boy Basin Road in Colorado The killer Old Priest Grade Road in California hits a 20% of max gradient Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

A wild road to Pipestone Pass in MTextreme

A wild road to Pipestone Pass in MT

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, road trippers, listen up! I just tackled Pipestone Pass in Montana, and let me tell you, it's a stunner. We're talking a seriously high mountain pass sitting pretty at 6,469 feet. The whole thing's paved, winding its way through the eastern foothills of the Rockies. But don't think it's a Sunday drive! This baby's got curves and some seriously steep sections to keep you on your toes. Plus, Mother Nature can throw some curveballs, especially in winter – think black ice, blizzards, and winds that'll try to blow you off the road. Located in southern Montana's Pioneer Mountains, inside the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest, it's about 29 miles of pure driving bliss (and a little bit of white-knuckle action). It connects Butte to Whitehall. Budget around 40-50 minutes to soak it all in – and maybe grab a photo or two! Oh, and keep an eye out for the Mount Patterson radio site. Happy trails!

Where is Big Mountain Pass?easy

Where is Big Mountain Pass?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let's talk about Big Mountain Pass in Utah. This beauty sits high in the Wasatch Mountains, a whopping 7,437 feet above sea level, right on the border between Morgan and Salt Lake counties, just north of Salt Lake City. Fun fact: this pass is part of the OG route the Mormon pioneers used back in '47 on their way to the Salt Lake Valley. These days, it's a fully paved road, called Utah State Route 65 – built back in '31! The whole stretch is about 27 miles long, winding from the Lincoln Highway (I-80) near the Mountain Dell Dam all the way to Henefer, up in Summit County, near I-84. Heads up, though: this road is usually closed during the winter months due to all that lovely snow. Is it worth the drive? Absolutely! The summit has a parking area, a couple of communication towers, and views for days. The drive itself is super scenic, and near the top, you’ll find some spots to pull over and soak it all in. Trust me, you’ll want your camera ready!

What Highway Would You Take to Mowich Lake?moderate

What Highway Would You Take to Mowich Lake?

🇺🇸 Usa

Okay, picture this: you're in Pierce County, Washington, chasing the clearest, bluest lake you can imagine. That's Mowich Lake, chilling at a cool 5,019 feet, the biggest and deepest in Mount Rainier National Park! To get there, you'll hop on State Highway 165 – aka Mowich Lake Road or Mountain Meadows Road. Now, heads up, this isn't your average smooth cruise. We're talking mostly unpaved, and often pretty bumpy with some serious potholes. Take it slow and easy. A regular car *can* make it when things are dry, but watch out for those big holes that could mess up your ride. Keep in mind this adventure is a summer thing. Snow shuts this road down for most of the year, typically from mid-October to late May or even early June. Snow lingers here! From Buckley, it's a 17-mile (27 km) trek to the Mowich Lake parking area. Budget about 45 minutes, not counting stops (and you *will* want to stop!). The drive takes you through thick forests, across beautiful valleys, and gives you those postcard-perfect views of Mount Rainier. Seriously stunning!