How to get to Gran Bajo de San Julián by car, the lowest point in the Americas?
Argentina, south-america
125 km
105 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, get ready for a trip to the absolute BOTTOM of the Americas! We're talking about Gran Bajo de San Julián, nestled way down in the Patagonian wilds of Santa Cruz, Argentina. Forget about sea level – we're diving to -105 meters (-345 feet)!
Yeah, Death Valley's cool and all, but this place is lower, making it the ultimate low-rider experience in the Western and Southern Hemispheres. Think vast, desolate landscapes: a proper desert vibe with crazy temperature swings, salty ground, and hardy plants clinging to life. It's remote, so you won't be battling hordes of tourists, but you might bump into a scientist or a fellow traveler with a serious case of wanderlust.
The good news? The road in is fully paved! You'll cruise along Ruta Nacional 3, a sweet 125 km (77-mile) stretch from the historic coastal town of Puerto San Julián (Port St. Julian) to Comandante Luis Piedrabuena. So, pack your camera, fill up the tank, and prepare for a truly unique journey to one of the planet's hidden gems.
Where is it?
How to get to Gran Bajo de San Julián by car, the lowest point in the Americas? is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -35.4101, -63.4168
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 125 km
- Max Elevation
- 105 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -35.4101, -63.4168
Related Roads in south-america
moderateAn epic road to Portezuelo del Cajon in the Andes
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for the ride of your life! We're heading to Portezuelo del Cajón, a crazy-high mountain pass straddling the border between Chile and Bolivia. Perched at a lung-busting 4,480m (that's almost 14,700ft!), you'll feel like you're on top of the world. This epic route, also called Hito Cajón, connects Chile's Antofagasta Region with Bolivia's Potosí Department, nestled on the flank of the Juriques volcano in the Andes. The Bolivian side drops you right into the Eduardo Avaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve, practically spitting distance from the stunning Laguna Verde and Laguna Blanca. Think Uyuni Salt Flats to San Pedro de Atacama – this is the road many tourists use to bounce between these iconic destinations. The whole shebang is about 150km (93 miles) of mixed terrain, from smooth pavement to rugged unpaved sections, stretching from San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) to Quetena Chico (Bolivia). Keep an eye out for Cerro Toco to the south! Be prepped for some serious altitude changes and isolated landscapes. Random fact: the Bolivian Customs office is like, 80km into Bolivia, basically in the middle of nowhere and even higher than the pass itself at over 5,000m! You'll find it hidden behind a guarded barrier at a processing plant. The Chilean border post is conveniently located on the edge of San Pedro de Atacama, a good 40km back down the road. And pro tip: check the weather! High altitude means colder temps and a higher chance of storms.
extremeWhere Are Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha?
🇵🇪 Peru
Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha are three high mountain lagoons Where Are Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha? The lagoons are located in the , in the western part of the country, within the Is the Road to Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha Unpaved? The road to the lagoons is extremely challenging by guardrails, featuring What’s the Weather Like on the Road to Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha? range, the road ends at is always a concern, as the area is often covered in How Long Is the Road to Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha? The road to the lagoons is very , so it’s better to travel is required. Starting from , a high mountain pass at an elevation of above sea level, the road is How to drive the Carretera 5N from Oxapampa to Nuevo Trujillo? Hints for reading Spanish road signs 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.
hardRuta Provincial 89
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising around the Cuyo region of Argentina, specifically Mendoza province, you HAVE to check out Ruta Provincial 89. This isn't your average highway cruise. We're talking a 55.3km stretch of pure, unadulterated gravel road goodness linking Potrerillos and Villa Bastia. And trust me, it's STEEP! You'll climb to a whopping 2,312 meters above sea level! Keep your eyes peeled—this road demands respect! It’s a proper mountain road with all the thrills (and spills, if you’re not careful) that come with it. Oh, and did I mention you'll pass right by the Vallecitos ski resort? Epic views are pretty much guaranteed. Get ready for some serious photo ops!
moderateWhere is Salar de Maricunga?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Atacama Region of Chile, heading towards this unreal, dazzling white salt flat called Salar de Maricunga. This place is seriously high up, like 3,700m (12,139ft) high! It's in the Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, way out east. The air is super dry, and the temperature swings are wild – scorching hot in the daytime sun, then freezing cold at night. Why should you go? Well, besides the fact that it’s absolutely stunning, this salt flat is loaded with lithium. It's the southernmost of Chile's huge salt flats. The road there? It's Ruta 31-CH, about 280 km (173 miles) of mixed adventure. You'll find some smooth paved sections on either end, but the middle is all gravel, so keep your eyes open. It runs all the way from Copiapó to the Argentinian border. Most of the time, a 2WD car can handle it. Get ready for some seriously epic scenery.