Where is Agua Negra Pass?
Argentina, south-america
318 km
4,774 m
moderate
Year-round
Paso de Agua Negra (Black Water Pass) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.774m (15,662ft) above sea level, located on the border of Argentina and Chile. It's
one of the highest roads in the country
Where is Agua Negra Pass?
Set high in the Andes mountain range, the pass links the IV Region of Coquimbo (Chile) with the Province of San Juan (Argentina). It is the highest border crossing between Argentina and Chile, and the traffic is very low, with around 200 vehicles using it every year.
Can you drive to Agua Negra Pass?
Located in the central region of both countries,
the road to the summit is mostly unpaved. It’s called Ruta 41 (in Chile) and Ruta Nacional 150 (in Argentina). The pass is 318km (198 miles) long, running east-west from Las Flores (in San Juan Province of Argentina) to La Serena (the capital of the Coquimbo region on Chile’s coast).
The pass is driveable with any kind of vehicle. Opened in 1965, the pass was closed in 1977 due to political problems between the two countries and reopened to the public in 1994.
Is the Agua Negra pass open?
Because of its altitude, this pass is open only in summers (from December through April).
The rest of the year is blocked by snow. Remember to check before you drive, as the dates are dependent on snow conditions each year.
What’s Agua Negra tunnel?
A new tunnel (Agua Negra tunnel) is planned to bypass the mountain pass, allowing year-round traffic. The project consists of two parallel 13.9km (8.63 miles) tunnels, each comprised of two traffic lanes. The tunnels will have a maximum width of 11m, but because they run through high mountains, the maximum incline has been limited to 4%. The tunnel is expected to greatly improve economic connections between Chile, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Pic: Marisa Matesevach
Route 5 is Chile's longest route
Ojos del Salado is one of the highest accessible points 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.
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 318 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,774 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in south-america
moderateDriving the paved Estrada Cunha-Paraty in Brazil
🇧🇷 Brazil
Okay, picture this: the Cunha-Paraty Road in Brazil. It's a 44.6km (27.71 miles) ribbon of road straddling São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states. Think lush scenery and a real sense of adventure! The road's fully paved, since 2016! The first 30km (SP-171) is smooth sailing in São Paulo, well-signed, and generally in great shape (though it can get a little busy). Then you hit a sweet 10km stretch (RJ-165) through Serra da Bocaina National Park – cobblestones galore! Seriously, this part is a highlight. The last 10km gets a bit rougher, with a narrower road and some potholes, so keep your eyes peeled. Expect some steep climbs and descents, especially within the national park. You'll be dropping into 1st or 2nd gear in spots, no doubt. The highest point? A cool 1,531m (5,022ft) above sea level. You *could* blast through it in an hour without stopping. But seriously, give yourself at least two! This road is part of the Estrada Real, a.k.a. the "Old Road" or "Gold Road," used way back in the 17th century to haul minerals (gold, mostly) to the coast. It's all about stunning views: forests, waterfalls, and incredible peaks. Trust me, you'll want to soak it all in!
hardDon’t glance down at your phone on the road to Uspallata Pass in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Paso Uspallata, an epic mountain pass sitting way up high at 3,810m (12,500ft) in the Chilean Valparaíso Region. You might also hear it called Bermejo Pass or Cumbre Pass. It's not far from the famous Paso Internacional de los Libertadores, north of Santiago and pretty close to the Argentinian border. Forget smooth tarmac; this is a 17km (10.56 miles) stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt road known as E-773, or Camino Cristo Redentor. Nowadays, it's more of a scenic route to see the Christ the Redeemer of the Andes statue. But don’t let the pretty statue fool you. This road is STEEP – we're talking gradients over 15% – and packed with 65 hairpin turns that will seriously test your driving skills. If you get queasy easily or are scared of landslides, maybe skip this one. A tunnel took over as the main route back in 1980 for a reason! Nestled high in the Andes, the views are insane, but Mother Nature calls the shots here. Only tackle this road in the summer when the snow is gone. Winter temps can plummet to -30°C, and heavy snowfall and rockfalls can shut things down in a heartbeat.
extremePalambla-Huancabamba Road
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: You're deep in the northern Peruvian Andes, practically on the border with Ecuador, tackling the Pista Palambla-Huancabamba. This 65.5 km stretch of gravel road, part of Route 2, connects the tiny towns of Palambla and Huancabamba, nestled in the province of Huancabamba. And wow, what a ride! We're talking serious elevation here, climbing to a dizzying 3,240 meters. The scenery is incredible, classic Piuran Sierra vibes, with those healing energy vortices the area is known for - sacred lagoons and ancient ruins dotting the hills. But hold on tight, because this road is not messing around. Think nail-bitingly narrow sections where passing another vehicle means someone's doing a *lot* of reversing. We're talking kilometers, people! And did I mention the unprotected drops of hundreds of meters? Yeah, you really don't want to misjudge a turn. Plus, this area gets foggy, and buses and trucks use this road, so visibility can be a challenge. If it's been raining, forget about it, the road turns into a muddy, slippery mess that even a 4x4 might struggle with. Seriously, ordinary cars need not apply, especially during the wet season. This road has seen more than its fair share of accidents and is absolutely not for the faint of heart or those prone to vertigo. But if you're an experienced driver looking for an unforgettable adventure, this could be your ultimate test.
moderateTravelling through the international Colchane-Pisiga Pass
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright adventurers, buckle up for the Paso Colchane-Pisiga, a seriously breathtaking international pass perched way up at 3,695 meters (that's over 12,000 feet!) on the border between Chile and Bolivia. This beauty connects the Tamarugal Province of Chile's Tarapacá Region with Bolivia's Oruro Department, specifically the Sabaya Province. Picture this: you're cruising through the Andean altiplano on a completely paved road. On the Chilean side, you'll be cruising along Ruta 15-CH, while in Bolivia, it's Ruta Nacional 12. The whole stretch is a solid 300 km (or 186 miles) long, linking Corque in Bolivia to San Lorenzo de Tarapacá in Chile. Get ready for stunning scenery and a serious dose of high-altitude vibes!