
Is Planchon Pass in the Andes unpaved?
Argentina, south-america
196 km
2,515 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Paso del Planchón, an epic high-altitude border crossing chilling at 8,251 feet between Argentina and Chile. We're talking serious Andes vibes here!
Yep, this bad boy is unpaved, so get ready for some dusty, sandy action. It's Ruta Provincial 226 on the Argentina side and J-55 once you cross into Chile.
Clocking in at 121 miles long, this trek connects Las Loicas, Argentina, to Curicó, Chile.
Now, here's the catch: Planchón Pass is only truly accessible from November 1 to April 30 each year. The rest of the time, Mother Nature's got it locked down. Expect scorching days and freezing nights. We're talking a summer high around 15°C and a winter plunge down to -25°C!
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 196 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,515 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
moderateThe World’s Fastest Downhill Mountain Bike Ride in the Atacama desert
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're carving down a mountain in the Chilean desert, wind screaming past you, scenery blurring... pure adrenaline! This isn't your average Sunday cruise; we're talking about the very slope where Austrian daredevil Max Stöckl smashed the world speed record on a stock mountain bike. We’re at Cerro "El Flaco", peaking at almost 4,000 meters. The initial slope is a heart-stopping 45 degrees, and the run is a nail-biting 1.2km blast from top to bottom. Stöckl himself said it was an exhausting 20 seconds of pure exhilaration! While I wouldn't advise trying to hit 167 km/h yourself, just imagine the view and the rush – definitely a trip for the adventurous soul.
extremeA memorable road trip to Acumulacion Mariela Mine
🇵🇪 Peru
Mina Acumulación Mariela is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 5,298m (17,381ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Puno and Moquegua regions of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country. Set high in the southern part of the country, in the Andes Mountains, Mina Acumulación Mariela is a gold mine. At this elevation, it’s one of the 10 highest mines in the world. The road to the mine is entirely unpaved. It’s a mining trail that starts from the paved 36B Road (Interoceanica Sur). The climb is extremely challenging, with a notorious lack of oxygen that tests the body, combined with a high degree of steepness. Expect harsh weather, extreme solar radiation, very high winds, and low temperatures.Pic: Luis Alberto Bernabe Quispe Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map 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 here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
moderateHow long is the road from Cincha to Huanca?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, so you're looking for an adventure, huh? Check out the Cincha-Huanca road! This high-altitude route winds its way through the southern part of the country, staying above 2,500m the whole time. Clocking in at about 44km (27 miles), it's not a super long ride, but definitely a memorable one. You'll climb to a peak elevation of 3,434m (that's over 11,000 feet!). Word of warning: the road starts off paved, but don't get too comfy! It gradually degrades, turning into a rougher surface. Oh, and did I mention the views? You'll be cruising along the edge of the Ocoña Cliffs – so keep your eyes on the road, but definitely steal a glance at that stunning scenery when you can!
moderateAn old mining road to Tuzgle Volcano in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Argentinian Andes, in the province of Jujuy, lies Volcán Tuzgle, a dormant volcano hiding a seriously epic road. We're talking about a climb to 5,244m (that's 17,139ft!) on what used to be a mining road – making it one of the highest drives in the country. This old unpaved mining route winds its way up to the abandoned Mina la Betty, and trust me, it’s seen better days. While you probably don't need a full-on 4x4, you'll want a vehicle with decent clearance to handle the rough terrain. Be warned: there are definitely sections where your ride will be tilting at some pretty wild angles. It's probably best to avoid this trek at night, or super early morning when ice could be a factor. Starting from Ruta Provincial 40 (RP-40), you’ve got a 10km climb ahead of you, gaining almost 800m in elevation. That's an average gradient of nearly 8%! But hey, the views of the Central Andes are totally worth it. Get ready for an unforgettable off-the-beaten-path adventure!