Where does the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay start and end?

Where does the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay start and end?

Ecuador, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,161 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Tres Cruces is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.161m (13,651ft) above sea level, located in the province of Azuay, in Ecuador. It's

one of the highest roads in the country.

Where does the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay start and end?

Set high in the highlands of Ecuador, the road to the summit is totally paved, mostly with concrete. It’s called Vía Colectora Cuenca-Puerto Inca (E582) and links Guayaquil and Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador.

How is the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay?

The road is very curvy and steep, in good condition, with several hairpin turns. Expect foggy, rainy, cold and misty weather. It rains most habitually in the afternoons.

Is the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay worth the drive?

Tucked away in the southern Ecuador’s Andes mountains, within the Parque Nacional Cajas, this section is the most western part of the continental divide of South Americas. At the summit of Tres Cruces “Three crosses”, there is a small car park, which isn't always up to the demand, especially at weekends, leading to Mirador Tres Cruces, a high mountain overlook. At the summit there is a monument to the people who have died in the national park. Historically, people died in passage from the port of Guayaquil to the sierras. The three crosses were placed to commemorate the fact that many people died at that point from altitude sickness. The views are well worth the effort.

The Wild Road to Edward Whymper Refuge

Papallacta is one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth

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.

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Ecuador
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
4,161 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in south-america

Abra de Toroya, a winding road only for experienced driversmoderate

Abra de Toroya, a winding road only for experienced drivers

🇵🇪 Peru

Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra de Toroya! This high-altitude pass in the Puno region of southeastern Peru tops out at a breathtaking 4,750 meters (that's 15,583 feet for you imperial system folks). The road, mostly paved and known as Carretera 34C, stretches for about 73 kilometers (45ish miles) between Santa Lucía and Eslagunero. The scenery on the way up? Get ready for views of Volcan Misti and Nevado Chachani from the summit. The descent is a gradual cruise, although the landscape can be a bit…underwhelming, let's say. But hey, you're in the Andes! Embrace the stark beauty!

Where is Alto de La Línea?hard

Where is Alto de La Línea?

🇨🇴 Colombia

Okay, so picture this: Alto de La Línea, a mountain pass way up in the Colombian Andes, clocking in at a cool 3,271 meters (that's over 10,700 feet!). You'll find it straddling the Tolima and Quindío departments, right in the heart of the Cordillera Central. This fully paved road, also known as Ruta Nacional 40, stretches between Armenia and Ibagué. Word of warning: this road is no joke, so the Túnel de la Línea (a massive, almost 9 km long tunnel!) was built to bypass the roughest section. Think you're up for it? Be ready for constantly shifting weather, endless twists, and hairpin turns, not to mention sharing the road with a ton of big trucks. Oh, and did I mention it's steep? We're talking gradients up to 14% in some spots! It's known as the "Colombian Stelvio," a legendary climb that's been featured in major cycling races. The views are epic, but so is the traffic.

The road to Paso Barros Arana in the Andesmoderate

The road to Paso Barros Arana in the Andes

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Chilean Andes on the Chollay-Punta Colorada Road, climbing towards Paso Barros Arana. This mountain pass sits way up high at 3,431 meters (that's 11,256 feet!), nestled in the Cordillera de la Sal range. The road's paved, which is a bonus, but don't let that fool you – it's STEEP! The air gets thin up here, seriously testing your lungs and legs. Altitude sickness can kick in for some people way before you get to the top, so be warned. But hey, the views! You're surrounded by an arid, high plateau landscape. Just keep in mind, though, the elements can be brutal. Expect fierce, dry winds, and blinding sunshine that'll fry you without shades. Hydrate like crazy, and pro-tip: pack a couple of spare tires. You'll be grateful you did. Oh, and the pass? It's named after some important Chilean professor guy, Diego Jacinto Agustín Barros Arana.

How to drive to Laguna Casiri Hembra and Casiri Macho?extreme

How to drive to Laguna Casiri Hembra and Casiri Macho?

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Okay, picture this: you're in the Arica and Parinacota Region of Chile, practically breathing Bolivian air, and you're about to tackle one of the highest drives in the country. Destination? The unreal Laguna Casiri Hembra and Laguna Casiri Macho, two high-altitude lakes that'll blow your mind. Starting from the sleepy village of Caquena, you've got about 16 kilometers of pure, unadulterated off-roading ahead. Over that distance, you’ll climb 540 meters, so buckle up for some serious uphill action. The reward? Reaching the shores of Casiri Hembra (at a cool 4,825m) and Casiri Macho (slightly higher at 4,856m). Forget smooth asphalt, this is all gravel and loose volcanic rock. Think "tippy" and bumpy, with sections so steep you'll need your A-game. Seriously, a 4x4 isn’t just recommended, it’s mandatory. If you're not comfortable with technical off-roading, maybe sit this one out. Now, the altitude. At almost 4,900 meters, both you and your engine will feel the burn. Hypoxia is real, folks! Plus, this road is usually a no-go in winter due to snow. And even in summer, be wary of sudden thunderstorms that can turn the gravel into a muddy nightmare in minutes. But oh, the views! Towering volcanoes, jagged peaks, and a landscape that feels straight out of another world. Laguna Casiri Macho even has an underwater algae garden you can spot from the shore! Weirdly, despite the harshness, you'll find mosquitoes chilling by the lagoons, all framed by these crazy ancient volcanic rock formations. Word to the wise: this is remote. Like, REALLY remote, near the Bolivian border. Be completely self-sufficient, make sure your ride is in tip-top shape, and pack extra supplies. The road itself? Narrow, winding, with hairpin turns and rocky embankments that demand your full attention. It's intense, but if you're prepared, it's the adventure of a lifetime.