
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
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