When was the road to Abra del Acay built?
Argentina, south-america
5,000 km
4,956 m
hard
Year-round
Dude, you HAVE to check out Abra del Acay in Argentina! Seriously, it's a mountain pass sitting way up high at 4,956m (16,259ft) in Salta Province. Word is, it's the highest national highway pass in the Americas.
Picture this: a 133 km (83 mile) stretch of unpaved road, winding from Payogasta to San Antonio de los Cobres. We're talking about a solid 3-hour drive if you don't stop, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop.
This part of Argentina's famous Route 40 was built in the 60s (inaugurated in 1960 to be exact), so you KNOW it's got some stories. But hold up – this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is narrow gravel, and you need ALL your focus. Expect super tight bends, crazy drop-offs, and winds that'll try to blow you off course. Plus, zero cell service out there, so pack supplies!
Is it worth it? A thousand times yes! The views are absolutely unreal. Just be prepared for a wild ride and maybe even some snow and ice in winter. It's a tough road, but honestly, the scenery is so worth the challenge.
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 5,000 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,956 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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