How to Travel the Challenging 4x4 Road to Lagunas Cunta
Colombia, south-america
5.2 km
3,927 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure time! We're heading to Lagunas Cunta, a stunning string of five lagoons nestled high in Colombia's Santurbán páramo, specifically in the northeast of the Santander department.
Getting there is half the fun (and a bit of a challenge!). You'll need a 4x4 because the road is all unpaved – think rugged and bumpy. It's only 5.2 km (3.23 miles) from the unpaved road between Berlín and Vetas, Colombia's highest town, but packed with twelve hairpin turns and some seriously steep climbs, hitting gradients up to 11% in places!
Prepare to ascend! The road tops out at a breathtaking 3,927m (12,883ft). Up there, it's cold, and you're likely to encounter rain or thick fog, so layers are essential. Snowfall can happen, making the road impassable. Also, be aware you'll be passing through private property and need to pay a small toll to access the lagoons. Trust me; the views are worth it!
Where is it?
How to Travel the Challenging 4x4 Road to Lagunas Cunta is located in Colombia (south-america). Coordinates: 4.9125, -74.7373
Road Details
- Country
- Colombia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 5.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,927 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- 4.9125, -74.7373
Related Roads in south-america
moderateA 4x4 mine road to Marancales Sur in the Andes
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Ever dreamed of conquering a volcano on wheels? Marancales Sur is calling your name! This beast of a road straddles the Argentina/Chile border, clocking in as one of the highest routes in either country. We're talking serious Andes Mountains vibes here, with the volcano acting as a natural boundary between Argentina's San Juan Province and Chile's Atacama Region. Now, hold on tight: the entire road to the summit is pure, unadulterated dirt. Forget your fancy sports car; you'll need a 4x4 to tackle this terrain. Word on the street is the area is loaded with copper and gold, so expect a rugged mining road experience. Fair warning: the climate is no joke. Think biting winds and frigid temperatures, classic high-altitude Andes stuff. And here's the kicker – this road is strictly a summer fling (December to April). The rest of the year, Mother Nature slams the door shut with a mountain of snow. So, plan your trip accordingly!
hardLaguna de Lejia
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Laguna de Legia, a stunning alpine lake chilling way up in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile! We're talking seriously high altitude here, like 4,350 meters (14,271 feet) above sea level. The road to get there, B-357, is a gravel track, but usually kept in decent shape. You *can* probably make it in a 2WD with good clearance if you take it slow and steady. Expect some long, straight stretches. Be warned, though: this road can turn into a muddy slip-n-slide real fast if it rains. After a storm, you might not get through even with 4x4. But oh man, the views are worth it!
moderateDriving the 200 curves and hairpin turns on the road from Cincha to Huanca
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure-seekers, let's talk about the Cincha-Huanca road in the Peruvian Andes! This beauty is a real high-altitude trek, never dipping below 2,500m, so get ready for some thin air. Starting in Cincha and winding north to Huanca, this 43.9km stretch is no Sunday drive. We're talking over 200 curves, including some seriously tight hairpin turns to test your skills. The highest point? Abra de Rumualdo, clocking in at a cool 3,434m. Keep in mind the road quality changes as you go. It starts paved in Cincha, narrows to a single lane, and eventually becomes a gravel track. But the views? Absolutely worth it. Just be prepared for a rough and tumble ride through some stunning southern Peruvian landscapes.
hardWhere is San Francisco Pass?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Paso de San Francisco! This high-altitude gem straddles the border between Argentina and Chile, clocking in at a breathtaking 4,760m (15,616ft). We're talking serious altitude here! Nestled deep in the Andes, it connects Argentina's Catamarca province with Chile's Atacama Region, winding through a landscape of towering volcanoes, jagged peaks, shimmering salt flats, and serene lagoons. The Argentinian side (Route N 60) is a fully paved 201 km (125 miles) run from Fiambala, a winding climb that'll test your driving skills. Over in Chile, Route CH-31 offers a smooth 280 km (174 miles) paved journey from Copiapó, taking you past the stunning Maricunga salt flat in Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and the otherworldly Laguna Verde. Keep your eyes peeled – the scenery is absolutely epic!