Travel Guide to the Top of Abra del Gallo

Travel Guide to the Top of Abra del Gallo

Argentina, south-america

Length

98 km

Elevation

4,630 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Abra del Gallo in Salta Province, Argentina, is calling your name! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a high-altitude experience, topping out at a whopping 4,630m (15,190ft) above sea level – one of the highest roads you'll find in Argentina.

Get ready to ditch the pavement because Ruta Provincial 129 (RP129) is all about that raw, unpaved life. Think ripio, gravel, and maybe a little sand to keep things interesting. Don't worry, though, while it climbs, the surface is usually pretty decent.

This epic stretch of road runs for 98km (61 miles) from the Salar de Pocitos to Chorrillos, carving its way through the rugged northwest of the country. And the views? Let's just say Nevado Queva to the west will blow your mind. Seriously, pack your camera!

Where is it?

Travel Guide to the Top of Abra del Gallo is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -34.6706, -61.9492

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
98 km
Max Elevation
4,630 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-34.6706, -61.9492

Related Roads in south-america

Here's How to Have the Ultimate Road Trip to Abra del Gigantehard

Here's How to Have the Ultimate Road Trip to Abra del Gigante

🇦🇷 Argentina

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra del Gigante, a seriously epic mountain pass clinging to the border between Jujuy and Salta provinces in northern Argentina! This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking a wild, unpaved track that climbs to a staggering 4,485m (14,714ft). Think narrow stretches, seriously steep inclines, and more switchbacks than you can count. Seriously, a 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. The 37km (23-mile) route stretches from Varas in Jujuy, heading north towards Volcán Higueras in Salta. Prepare for views that will blow your mind, alongside the adrenaline rush of tackling a truly challenging road. This one’s for the memory books!

How to get by car to Cerro Chacaltaya, the world's highest ski resort?hard

How to get by car to Cerro Chacaltaya, the world's highest ski resort?

🇧🇴 Bolivia

# Cerro Chacaltaya: Bolivia's Haunting High-Altitude Adventure Perched at a jaw-dropping 5,260 meters (17,257 feet) in La Paz Department, Cerro Chacaltaya stands as one of Bolivia's most extreme mountain roads. Nestled deep in the Cordillera Real of the Andes, this peak holds a fascinating—and somewhat melancholy—piece of skiing history. Here's the wild part: from 1939 to 2009, Chacaltaya was home to the world's highest ski resort. Yeah, you read that right. While most people assume the world's most elite ski slopes exist in Switzerland or Colorado, they'd be wrong. This remote Bolivian mountain actually held that crown for seven decades, complete with a restaurant and cozy chalet for adventurous tourists. Unfortunately, climate change has other plans. The snow vanished, the skiers stopped coming, and the station was abandoned in 2009, leaving behind only ghostly ruins and faded memories. The road itself—called Ruta Chacaltaya—has been winding up this mountain since the 1930s, but don't expect pavement. This is pure unpaved, high-altitude adventure territory that demands a serious 4x4 vehicle. Starting from Ingenio, you're looking at a 9.6-kilometer (5.96-mile) climb with a brutal 635-meter elevation gain. Some sections hit a stomach-churning 14% gradient, and the narrow, steep switchbacks come with genuinely terrifying drop-offs. Average gradient sits at 6.61%—this road doesn't mess around. Once you reach the abandoned resort, the real view unfolds. Panoramic vistas stretch across the Cordillera Real, showcasing Huayna Potosi, Mururata, and the iconic Illimani, with La Paz sprawling below. On clear days, you can even spot Lake Titicaca shimmering to the west. If you've got energy left, a short 100-meter hike leads to the actual summit. History buffs shouldn't miss the Mount Chacaltaya Laboratory nearby—originally a weather station that evolved into a critical hub for gamma-ray research.

Laguna Huaroncochaextreme

Laguna Huaroncocha

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! You NEED to check out Laguna Huaroncocha in the Huaral province of Peru. We're talking a seriously breathtaking lake sitting way up high at 4,580 meters (that's over 15,000 feet!). Getting there? Buckle up for Carretera 1NC. This road is a gravel beast – narrow, and a mud pit after it rains. And yeah, it’s as wild as it sounds. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real possibilities, and ice patches love to play hide-and-seek. The climb is killer steep, and the air is THIN. Trust me, you’ll feel the altitude; most people start feeling it way before you even get close, around 2,500-2,800 meters. But the scenery? Totally worth the huffing and puffing!

How to get to the Casiri lagoons by car?extreme

How to get to the Casiri lagoons by car?

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Laguna Casiri Hembra and Laguna Casiri Macho are a pair of stunning high-altitude mountain lagoons located in the Arica and Parinacota Region of Chile. Situated near the Bolivian border, the road to these lakes is one of the highest driving routes in the country, surrounded by a dramatic landscape of volcanoes. Road facts: Casiri Lagoons General Lagos, Chile (near Bolivia) 16.1 km (10 miles) from Caquena Rocky Gravel / Unpaved How to get to the Casiri lagoons by car? The drive begins in the remote village of . From the village, the road stretches for , climbing steadily toward the high plateau. The route involves an elevation gain of 540 meters, ending at the shores of the lakes: Casiri Hembra (4,825m) Casiri Macho (4,856m) What are the road conditions in this volcanic area? The surface is entirely unpaved, consisting of gravel and loose volcanic rocks . The track is described as "tippy" and bumpy, with several steep sections that require technical driving. Due to the loose surface and the high gradients, a is strictly required. This is a trail designed for experienced off-roaders; avoid this route if unpaved mountain tracks are not your strong point. Weather and altitude hazards At nearly 4,900 meters above sea level, the effects of altitude (hypoxia) are noticeable for both drivers and engines. The road is usually impassable during the winter months due to snow. Additionally, sudden summer thunderstorms can rapidly transform the dry gravel into a muddy trap, making the road dangerous or completely impassable in minutes. A landscape of volcanoes and algae gardens The journey is well worth the effort for the stunning surrounding landscape of volcanoes and sharp rocky peaks. is particularly unique for its underwater algae garden visible in the southern area. Despite the harsh conditions, mosquitoes are abundant along the edges of the lagoons, which are framed by ancient volcanic rock formations. Driving safety and preparation Given the extreme isolation near the Bolivian border, travelers must be fully self-sufficient. Ensure your vehicle is in top mechanical condition and carry extra supplies. The road is narrow and winding, with sharp curves that demand constant focus, especially when navigating the rocky embankments at such extreme elevations. Pic: Marcelo Toro Zavala An epic road to Paso Salar Capina in the Andes Cerro Juquel: Driving the steep 9.5% climb in PotosĂ­, Bolivia 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.