
Ruta Provincial 47
Argentina, south-america
83 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, buckle up for Ruta Provincial 47, a seriously stunning gravel road adventure in Argentina's Valdes Peninsula! This 83km stretch of 'ripio' connects Estancia Punta Norte to Punta Delgada on the Golfo Nuevo.
Word to the wise: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Valdes Peninsula has a semi-arid climate, so expect wild weather swings and crazy winds. Keep it under 60km/h to save yourself from cracked windshields or flat tires. The gravel gets loose, especially on the edges, and turns into a slippery mud bath after rain.
But hey, the views! You're cruising through prime real estate for spotting some of the world's biggest marine animals doing their thing.
While a high-clearance 2WD can *technically* handle the long, dry stretches at slow speeds, a 4x4 is your best friend. Trust me, the extra comfort and peace of mind are worth it when the road gets rough with washboarding, ruts, and dips. Get ready for an unforgettable experience!
Where is it?
Ruta Provincial 47 is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -40.0250, -61.8935
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 83 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -40.0250, -61.8935
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