The unpaved road to El Aguilar, one of the highest towns in the world

The unpaved road to El Aguilar, one of the highest towns in the world

Argentina, south-america

Length

45.4 km

Elevation

4,895 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've just discovered a seriously mind-blowing road in the Jujuy Province of Argentina. We're talking about El Aguilar, one of the highest towns you can actually DRIVE to on this planet!

Imagine this: you're cruising along EXRN40 (or Ex Ruta Nacional 40 as the locals call it), a 45.4 km (28.21 miles) unpaved path starting from Tres Cruces, snaking its way up to a staggering 4,895m (16,060ft) above sea level. Yeah, you heard me right!

This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road isn't paved, so keep your eyes peeled for rough patches! But trust me, the views are absolutely worth it. You're surrounded by the rugged beauty of northern Argentina, practically on the doorstep of Bolivia. The town itself is supported by the mine nearby and is home to about 3,655 hardy souls. If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience, this high-altitude journey is calling your name!

Where is it?

The unpaved road to El Aguilar, one of the highest towns in the world is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.5551, -64.3476

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Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
45.4 km
Max Elevation
4,895 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-37.5551, -64.3476

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