Highest roads of Argentina
Argentina, south-america
4,000 km
4,694 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, Argentina, you wild thing! This country's the second biggest in South America and it's showing off with the Andes Mountains carving out its entire western edge. Think colossal peaks, including Aconcagua (basically the rooftop of the Americas!) and get ready for some serious high-altitude driving!
We're talking rugged, unpaved roads that were mostly carved out for mining or sneaking across the border to Chile. These routes climb sky-high, sometimes topping out above 4,700 meters (that's 15,400 ft for those of you not using the metric system!). Buckle up for a mix of tough mountain passes and trails that'll leave you breathless (literally, thanks to the altitude).
Think places like the Abra de Vacas Heladas (sounds chilly!) and the famous Paso de San Francisco. Picture yourself tackling the crazy narrow road to Iruya in Salta Province, or conquering the epic Cuesta del Lipán to Abra de Potrerillos in Jujuy. Argentina's high roads aren't just drives, they're full-blown adventures!
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 4,000 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,694 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
extremeDriving Ruta 3N with vertigo-inducing depths of up to 1.000m
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Carretera 3-N in the Ancash region of Peru! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking seriously stunning (and slightly terrifying) drops of up to 1,000 meters! You'll find this wild ride snaking through the northern part of the country, mostly unpaved. The real heart-pumper is a 22-kilometer stretch between Cañon del Pato and the tiny town of La Pampa. Imagine a road getting narrower and narrower, a never-ending series of hairpin turns carved by hand into the mountainside. Seriously, some of these bends are tight! You'll need laser focus and a smooth touch on the steering wheel. Forget about passing another car – or especially a truck – easily. And watch out, because the road turns into a washboard of rocks, especially during the rainy or snowy season when it might even be closed. But hey, the views? Absolutely epic!
extremeLlanganuco Orconcocha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: You're in Peru, high in the Andes, staring at a lake so blue it looks like it's been photoshopped. That's Llanganuco Orconcocha, sitting pretty at 3,850m (12,631ft)! The only way to get there is Carretera de Yungay, or Carretera 106. This gravel road isn't messing around. Think crazy hairpin turns, switchbacks that'll make your head spin, and oh yeah, massive drop-offs on one side and towering rock cliffs on the other. You're basically driving through a super narrow glacial valley, with giants like Huascaran, Huandoy, and Chopicalqui mountains all around. The scenery is unreal, like straight out of a postcard. But heads up: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking zero guardrails, a serious lack of oxygen, and a steep climb that'll leave you breathless. Altitude sickness is a real thing up here. If you're not comfortable with heights or unpaved mountain roads, maybe skip this one. One wrong move and… well, let's just say it's a long way down. But if you're an experienced driver with a sense of adventure, this is one unforgettable ride.
extremeThe Wild Road to Abra Huayraccasa
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Abra Huayraccasa! This epic mountain pass, also known as Wayra Q'asa, punches a hole through the Peruvian Andes at a whopping 4,971m (16,309ft). Forget those inflated claims you might see online – this is the REAL deal. Find it in the Huancavelica region of central Peru, accessible via the HV-115. This isn't your Sunday drive – the entire 63.2km (39.27 miles) stretch from the 28D road to Lircay is unpaved and seriously challenging. Give yourself 3-4 hours to conquer it, and be warned: rain and snow turn this into a beast. It's near Abra Chonta, so you know you're in high-altitude territory, where winter temps can plummet to -30°C! The road is mainly dirt, full of potholes, and winding hairpin turns, and sheer drops are constant companions. This one's for experienced drivers only, but the reward? Jaw-dropping views of the surrounding mountains that'll stay with you forever!
moderateIs Abra del Gallo Unpaved?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle one of Argentina's highest roads? Then you NEED to check out Abra del Gallo in Salta Province! We're talking serious altitude here—we're well above sea level. This isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll be cruising along Provincial Route 129 (RP129), but be warned: pavement is a myth. Expect a bumpy ride, with mostly ripio (that's gravel to you and me), and some sections of sand that'll keep you on your toes. So how long is this epic adventure? The road stretches for quite a distance. But trust me, the views are totally worth the shaky ride and potential dust inhalation! Get ready for some seriously jaw-dropping scenery that will make your Instagram followers green with envy. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road and be prepared for tricky conditions. This one's not for the faint of heart!