Lagunas de Epulafquen

Lagunas de Epulafquen

Argentina, south-america

Length

40.2 km

Elevation

1.49 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: you're in Argentina, practically spitting distance from Chile, high up in the Andes. You're heading toward the stunning Lagunas de Epulafquen, a pair of shimmering lakes sitting pretty at almost 5,000 feet!

The adventure starts on Ruta Provincial 45, a gravel road stretching about 25 miles from Las Ovejas. Now, this isn't your average highway cruise. While generally maintained, the road can get pretty dicey. Think washboarding, ruts, and dips that'll keep you on your toes. A high-clearance vehicle is a must! And be warned: after a rainstorm, this track transforms into a muddy slip-n-slide. In bad weather, even 4x4s might struggle. But trust me, the views are worth it. Imagine winding through the mountains, the air crisp and clean, with the promise of those gorgeous lakes waiting for you at the end. This is an off-the-beaten-path experience you won't forget!

Where is it?

Lagunas de Epulafquen is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -40.1398, -63.4278

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Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
40.2 km
Max Elevation
1.49 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-40.1398, -63.4278

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