
The road to Loma de las Antenas isn’t an easy one
Ecuador, south-america
11.7 km
4,218 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Just west of Quito, Ecuador, lies Loma de las Antenas, a sky-high peak reaching a whopping 13,838 feet! This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. Think 7.27 miles of unpaved, bumpy, gravelly goodness (or badness, depending on your suspension). Rainstorms have taken their toll, so expect dust when it's dry and mud when it's wet.
Word to the wise: this mountain demands respect. We're talking remote terrain, unpredictable weather, and that altitude sickness that can really knock you for a loop. Seriously, if rain's in the forecast, bail. Lightning up here is no joke. You'll absolutely need a 4x4 with some serious clearance to make it.
But oh, the views! As you climb, Quito unfolds below, surrounded by majestic volcanoes. The summit itself? A forest of antennas, marking your victory. Be warned, the final stretch is STEEP, and your engine's gonna feel the thin air. Make sure your ride is in tip-top shape and get ready for some seriously breathtaking scenery... if you dare!
Where is it?
The road to Loma de las Antenas isn’t an easy one is located in Ecuador (south-america). Coordinates: -2.5084, -77.9878
Road Details
- Country
- Ecuador
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 11.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,218 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -2.5084, -77.9878
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