
Road trip guide: Conquering Cruz de Paramillo in Mendoza
Argentina, south-america
93 km
2,960 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Cruz de Paramillo, nestled way up in the Argentinian Andes in Mendoza Province, is calling your name. We're talking about a wild, unpaved ride called Ruta Provincial 52, but locals know it as Ruta del Año (Route of the Year) and for good reason! This 93km (58-mile) rollercoaster from Uspallata to Mendoza boasts a mind-blowing 365 turns. Seriously, hairpin heaven!
You'll climb to 2,960m (9,711ft), where a white cross and cute little chapel mark the summit – a monument to those old Jesuit missionaries.
But wait, there's more! Feeling extra adventurous? Take the 3.6 km (2.23 mile) gravel track that branches off to the north. It winds its way up to a scenic lookout point at 3,149m (10,331ft), complete with communication towers. It’s a short but sweet climb, with an average gradient of 5.25%. The reward? Jaw-dropping views, including the majestic Aconcagua peak. Get ready for some serious scenery on this one!
Where is it?
Road trip guide: Conquering Cruz de Paramillo in Mendoza is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.0964, -64.5534
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 93 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,960 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -37.0964, -64.5534
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