
La Cumbre Apacheta
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
4,871 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for La Cumbre Apacheta in Bolivia's La Paz Department! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking serious altitude here – a whopping 4,871m (15,980ft) above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in the country.
Tucked away in the stunning Cordillera Real of the Andes, the road to the summit is a gravel grinder, and let me tell you, it’s STEEP. Seriously, don't even think about tackling this beast in bad weather. The air gets thin up here, and the climb is brutal. You'll be gasping for air thanks to the altitude (most people start feeling it around 2,500-2,800 meters), so be prepared. But hey, think of the views! Plus, La Cumbre is the launchpad for most trips down the famous Yungas Road. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Where is it?
La Cumbre Apacheta is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -17.5711, -64.0679
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,871 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -17.5711, -64.0679
Related Roads in south-america
hardDriving to Sosneado Hotel, a nazi hideout in Mendoza
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of Argentina's Mendoza Province lies a hidden gem: the abandoned Hotel Termas de El Sosneado. Forget paved paradise, this journey is all about rugged reality! The road to get there? It's Provincial Route 220 (RP220), a wild 60 km (37 miles) stretch of unpaved madness. Think rocks, loose gravel, rickety wooden bridges, mud pits, and brown rivers to ford. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4 for this one. Starting in El Sosneado, you will make your way to the abandoned hotel that sits right by the Atuel river. Perched at 2,180m (7,152ft) above sea level in the breathtaking Sosneado Valley, nestled at the foot of the Andes, this remote spot will take your breath away (if the altitude doesn't first!). The drive itself, without stops, clocks in at 2-3 hours. Built in the late 30s, this once-luxurious hotel met its demise in the 50s after an avalanche. But here's the cool part: the thermal spring pools, fed by the nearby Overo volcano, are still there and surprisingly warm, and some brave souls still take a dip! Plus, local legend whispers tales of it being a Nazi hideout…spooky! Word to the wise: this road is usually a no-go in winter. And remember, there are ZERO services along the way, so gas up and stock up on supplies before you head out. Trust me, you'll want to be prepared for this off-the-beaten-path adventure!
extremeLaguna de Suches
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up adventure junkies! We're heading to Laguna de Suches, a ridiculously beautiful alpine lake chilling at a whopping 4,491 meters (14,734 feet) up in the Peruvian Andes in Candarave Province. The road to get there? It's called TA-105, and it's a gravel grinder. We're talking steep inclines that will test your vehicle (and your lungs!). Seriously, don't even think about tackling this one in bad weather. This road has earned its stripes as a bit of a beast. Think unpredictable snowstorms, blinding blizzards, and seriously challenging driving conditions. The air gets thin up there (most people start feeling altitude sickness way before this point!), so be prepared for a climb that will push you to your limits. But trust me, the views are worth every gasp of air.
hardAbra de Arizaro
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up for Abra de Arizaro in Salta Province, Argentina, practically spitting distance from Chile! We're talking serious altitude here—14,206 feet (4,330m) to be exact! The road is Ruta Nacional 51, a gravel track. Now, don't go thinking this is a Sunday drive. Rain turns this route into a muddy, slippery beast. Seriously, after a storm, you might as well turn around, even if you're in a 4x4. When it’s dry, a high-clearance 2WD *can* handle it—think slow and steady on the long, straight stretches. Watch out for washboarding, ruts, and dips! But trust me, the views up there are worth the challenge. Just prepare yourself and your vehicle for a proper adventure!
hardCuesta de Bonilla
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Cuesta de Bonilla, nestled high in the Argentinian Andes (Mendoza Province, to be exact), is a seriously epic mountain pass. We're talking a lung-busting 3,110 meters (10,203 feet) above sea level! The road to the top, part of the Camino Minero Veladero, is a beast. Think gravel, think rocks, think you definitely want a 4x4. It's super steep and legend says it has 365 turns – one for every day of the year! Heads up: this road isn't always open. With that kind of altitude, snow can shut it down at any time. Plus, the area is notorious for heavy mist, so visibility can be a real issue. But if you catch it on a clear day? The views are absolutely breathtaking.