Where is Ruta del Año?
Argentina, south-america
30 km
2,960 m
hard
Year-round
Get ready for Ruta Provincial 52 in western Argentina, near the Chilean border! Locals call it "Ruta del Año" – Route of the Year – and trust me, it lives up to the name. This baby throws 365 curves at you, and most are hairpin turns.
You’ll find it snaking through the Las Heras department, nestled in the northwest corner of Mendoza Province. It’s about 93.7 km (58 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure from Uspallata to Mendoza.
Now, here’s the thing: it's unpaved but generally doable in most cars. Just don't expect to break any speed records; you'll be lucky to hit 30 km/h. But trust me, you won't want to rush. The scenery is mind-blowing! However, maybe skip this one between July and October as it can get seriously dicey.
This mountain road climbs to a lofty 2,960m (9,711ft), so be prepared for those high-altitude views! The road ultimately leads you to Villavicencio, a cool old resort spa north of Mendoza with thermal waters and garden paths. The resort is currently unused, but it adds character to your journey. If you can handle the twists and turns, this is one drive you won't soon forget.
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 30 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,960 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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