Ruta Provincial 13
Argentina, south-america
86.2 km
888 m
extreme
Year-round
Ready for an Argentinian adventure? Provincial Route 13, snaking through the Andes in Mendoza Province, is a gravel road that will leave you breathless. Think epic scenery as you crawl along dry riverbeds and conquer mountain passes.
This 86.2 km (53.5 miles) track connects Mendoza (888m/2,913ft) with Uspallata near the Chilean border (1,898m/6,227ft). Forget your sports car; this is 4x4 territory! Seriously, unless you're itching for a new ride, leave the 2WD at home.
Locals call it Camino Las Lajas or The Route of the Telegrapher – an old route that used to link Argentina and Chile. Legend says it has 365 turns! The highest point soars to 3,110m (10,203ft), so snow can shut things down anytime. And watch out for heavy mist; visibility can drop to zero.
The road is rough, narrow, and steep. Never go solo. A GPS is crucial, and be prepared for a 3-4 hour journey. Avoid severe weather at all costs, because avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides happen. Patches of ice are common. But if you're experienced and prepared, Route 13 will be an unforgettable experience.
Where is it?
Ruta Provincial 13 is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.1194, -62.2741
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 86.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 888 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -37.1194, -62.2741
Related Roads in south-america
moderateHow to Get by Car to Salar del Rincón in Los Andes?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let me tell you about Salar del Rincón, a hidden gem of a salt lake way up in the Argentinian Andes. We're talking serious altitude here – 4,015m (13,172ft)! You'll find this stunner in Salta Province, practically spitting distance from Chile. Now, getting there is half the fun. The road, Ruta Nacional 51 (RN51), is all dirt, baby! It's about 40km (24.85 miles) of bumpy goodness starting near Paso de Sico. Trust me, you're gonna want a high-clearance vehicle for this one. Word on the street is this lake is loaded with lithium, which is cool, but the real treasure is the scenery. Get ready for some seriously epic views!
hardLaguna Tuni
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Laguna Tuni is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.494m (14,744ft) above the sea level, located in La Paz Department, in Bolivia. The road to the lake, located within the Cordillera Real of the Bolivian Andes, is gravel, rocky, tippy and bumpy at times with several hairpin turns. Great trail for experienced wheelers. Avoid driving in this area if unpaved mountain roads aren't your strong point. 4x4 recommended. With such a high summit altitude the road can be closed anytime due to snowfalls. Stay away if you're scared of heights. Expect a trail pretty steep. Wet conditions may make for tough driving along the muddy road. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs. The climb is simply terrible, with a notorius lack of oxygen that tests the organisms and a high degree of steepness. Most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters. Carretera Picada 108: Crossing the Wild Chaco to the Bolivian Border Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardThe road to Curiquinca Volcano isn’t an easy one
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Curiquinca! This bad boy is a stratovolcano straddling the Bolivia-Chile border, clocking in at a whopping 18,454 feet above sea level. We're talking serious altitude! Nestled in the heart of the Atacama Desert, the gravel track isn't just a scenic route; it's a rugged climb up to a sulfur mine. Translation? This road is not for the faint of heart! Oxygen gets thin up there, and the climb is seriously steep. Most people start feeling altitude sickness way before you reach the top, so be prepared. Think harsh sun, relentless winds whipping up dust devils, and a trail that'll test your off-roading skills to the max. Sunglasses are a must, water is your best friend, and trust me, bring two full-sized spare tires – you'll thank me later. 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. But hey, the views from one of the highest roads in South America? Totally worth it!
extremeGeisers del Tatio
🇨🇱 Chile
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for El Tatio in the Chilean Andes! We're talking about the world's highest geyser field, chilling at a staggering 14,173 feet. The road to get there, B-245, is a beast. Think rough gravel, seriously steep climbs, and hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills. A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Seriously, don't even think about attempting this in bad weather. We're talking avalanches, snow, landslides, and sneaky patches of ice that can appear out of nowhere. And a word of caution: those geysers are beautiful, but they can burn! The ground can be thin in places, so watch your step to avoid an unexpected dip into boiling water. The scenery is absolutely mind-blowing, but be prepared for a major temperature swing. It's freezing cold before sunrise – think numb-toes cold! – but you'll be peeling off layers on the way back down. Speaking of sunrise, you'll want to be there around 6 AM to catch the geysers in all their glory. Pack warm clothes, a swimsuit (for the hot springs!), a towel, sunscreen, and plenty of water. Trust me; you'll need it all for this unforgettable experience near the Laguna Salar de Pajonales!