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

Embalse La Lagunamoderate

Embalse La Laguna

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Ruta 41, the road to Embalse la Laguna in Chile's Coquimbo Region! We're talking seriously high altitude here – this epic reservoir sits at a cool 3,180 meters (that's 10,433 feet!). Think rugged beauty because this is a gravel road all the way. You'll find it on the way to Paso de Agua Negra, the mountain pass that straddles the border with Argentina. A word of warning: this baby is only open during the summer months, so plan accordingly. Trust me, Ruta 41 isn't for the faint of heart! But the views? Totally worth it.

Punta Yahuarcochaextreme

Punta Yahuarcocha

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Punta Yahuarcocha in Peru! This insane mountain pass in the Huancavelica region hits a whopping 16,338 feet. Seriously, you'll be gasping for air in the Angaraes province! The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking super steep gravel that climbs like crazy east of the Santa Ines to Huancavelica highway. You're heading into the wild, remote Andes, so come prepared. Rain turns this road into a beast, and watch out for avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides – they can pop up anytime and ice is a constant threat. But hey, the views? Absolutely epic. Just keep your eyes peeled and your wits about you!

Tunel San Rafaelmoderate

Tunel San Rafael

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Alright, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, you'll find the San Rafael Tunnel, a seriously high-altitude experience sitting pretty at 9,973 feet above sea level. Nestled in the Cordillera Real, part of the majestic Andes Mountains, this tunnel is on Ruta 3 (the Cotapata-Santa Bárbara road). It took about three years to build, from 2001 to 2004. At just over 4,500 feet long, it's a pretty cool stretch. Keep an eye on your speedometer—the limit is 40 kph. The road is mostly paved, but watch out for a few gravel sections that add a bit of rugged charm to the drive. Get ready for some stunning scenery!

Travel guide to the top of Cerro Uturuncuextreme

Travel guide to the top of Cerro Uturuncu

🇧🇴 Bolivia

# Cerro Uturuncu: Bolivia's Sky-High Adventure Ready for one of the most extreme driving experiences on the planet? Head to the Potosí Department in southwestern Bolivia, where a rough gravel road climbs to a jaw-dropping 6,008 meters (19,711 feet) above sea level. This is seriously high—we're talking one of the loftiest roads anywhere in the world. The road winds up Cerro Uturuncu (also called Uturunku or Uturunco), a stratovolcano nestled in San Pablo de Lípez Municipality. Back in the day, this mountain hosted a sulfur mine, and the original unpaved road connecting to it was carved out between 1948 and 1950. These days, the route is maintained sporadically by local guides mostly for adventurous tourists. Here's the reality check: you'll absolutely need a solid 4x4 vehicle. The lower sections are sandy and manageable, but don't expect a smooth cruise. The first five kilometers average about an 8% grade, which steepens dramatically—hitting over 10% between 5,100 and 5,600 meters—before finally easing off near the top. Depending on the season, you might encounter loose rocks or even snow. The biggest villain? Oxygen deprivation. Once you push past 5,000 meters, your engine starts gasping for air almost as much as you will. Most vehicles get stopped by a landslide around 5,700 meters, though reports vary on exactly how far you can actually drive. (One enterprising French cycling team reportedly managed to pedal and push their way to the actual summit—respect.) What you get in return? Absolutely stunning Altiplano landscapes: active volcanoes, vibrant lagoons, and endless mountain vistas that'll make every labored breath worth it.