
Driving the unpaved Bajada a Zirupa in Chihuahua
Mexico, north-america
29.5 km
2,200 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, fellow adventurers, let's talk about the wild ride that is Bajada a Zirupa! Nestled in the mountains of Chihuahua, Mexico, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Forget pavement; this is 18.33 miles of pure, unadulterated gravel.
Starting near the town of Madera (aka Ciudad Madera) at a cool 7,200 feet above sea level, you'll descend to the tiny village of Zirupa (or Sirupa), which sits pretty at around 4,900 feet. The views? Stunning. The challenge? Real.
Word to the wise: this road laughs in the face of anything less than a 4x4, especially after a rain shower. If you're up for an off-the-beaten-path experience with incredible scenery, Bajada a Zirupa is calling your name.
Where is it?
Driving the unpaved Bajada a Zirupa in Chihuahua is located in Mexico (north-america). Coordinates: 23.0041, -103.1465
Road Details
- Country
- Mexico
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 29.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,200 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 23.0041, -103.1465
Related Roads in north-america
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Altzomoni Peak in Mexico
🇲🇽 Mexico
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Altzomoni! Perched way up in the State of Mexico, this volcanic peak clocks in at a whopping 13,211 feet – seriously high up there! You'll find it hanging out near Puebla state, smack-dab in the Izta-Popo Zoquiapan National Park. Heads up: the 4.34-mile (7km) road from Paso de Cortés is all dirt. Yeah, you heard right – unpaved paradise! Expect some serious steepness, with gradients hitting 11% in spots. You'll gain 346 meters in elevation, so be prepared for an average gradient of around 4.94%. The summit is home to a weather station, a mountain hut, and a TV repeater. Word to the wise: this spot gets hammered with snow and can become a muddy mess after rain, so a 4x4 isn't just recommended – it's essential. Get ready for views that'll take your breath away... if the altitude doesn't first!
moderateWhere is Walker Pass?
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, buckle up for Walker Pass! This high mountain pass sits pretty at 5,259 feet in Kern County, California. You'll find it in the northeastern part of the county, connecting the San Joaquin Valley to the Mojave Desert. It’s named after Joseph R. Walker, a mountain man who blazed a trail through here back in the day. This route became super important during the Gold Rush. Now, about the drive: it's along California State Route 178, and it's paved the whole way. This two-lane road winds and twists for about 19.4 miles between Canebrake and Freeman Village. Because it's high up in the southern Sierra Nevada, you get some killer views. Most of the year, it's open, but winter weather can sometimes close it temporarily. Keep an eye out for rockfalls too - those are a year-round hazard!
moderateDriving through the Stacey Road Bridges
🇨🇦 Canada
Okay, buckle up, road-trippers! Ever heard of Stacey Road up in Ontario, Canada? It's a bit of a hidden gem, mostly gravel, but with a couple of seriously cool (and slightly sketchy!) old plank bridges that cross over the CNR and CPR railways. We're talking seriously old-school vibes. The bridges themselves aren't huge - one's about 25 meters and the other is 33 meters - but be warned, there's a 5-ton weight limit. So, maybe leave the RV at home for this one! But seriously, the views of the old railways? Totally worth it.
moderateDriving the wild Antelope Mountain (in Lassen County, CA)
🇺🇸 Usa
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Let me tell you about a killer drive up Antelope Mountain in northeast California’s Lassen County. We’re talking serious elevation here – this peak tops out at 7,687 feet! You'll find this gem tucked away in Lassen National Forest. The road's a decent forest road, but trust me, you're gonna want a 4x4 for this one. Keep in mind, this route is a no-go in winter; the snow usually hangs around until late June or even July. The climb is a real workout. From Eagle Lake Road, it's about 5.4 miles to the summit, and you gain a whopping 2,434 feet in elevation. That’s an average grade of over 8%! And the payoff? A fire lookout tower awaits you at the top! Built in '78, it was actually the first solar-powered lookout in the US. Usually, there's someone up there during fire season. The views? Absolutely incredible. Get ready for some serious photo ops!