
Where is La Virgen Pass?
Ecuador, south-america
85.3 km
4,071 m
moderate
Year-round
at an elevation of 4,071 m (13,356 ft) above sea level, located in Ecuador.
Where is La Virgen Pass?
The pass, also known as
Pichincha and Napo Provinces
, in the north-central part of the country, within the
Parque Nacional Cayambe Coca
Is the road through La Virgen Pass paved?
The road through the pass is
Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras
How long is La Virgen Pass?
The road through the pass is
85.3 km (53 miles) long
west-east from Pifo to San Francisco de Borja
Is La Virgen Pass worth it?
Located on the road from Quito which leads into the
, at the summit you can experience the
stunning views of mountains and glaciers
. The pass is home to a small chapel, known as
Virgen del Paramo Papallacta
. North of the pass, a defiant unpaved road climbs up to
at an elevation of 4,350 m (14,271 ft) above sea level.
How to get by car to the antennas at the Summit of Cerro Atacazo?
The Wild Road to Edward Whymper Refuge
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Road Details
- Country
- Ecuador
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 85.3 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,071 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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