A Road through the Scenic Pircas Negras Pass High in the Andes
Argentina, south-america
40 km
4,175 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let me tell you about Paso de Pircas Negras, or Black Pircas Pass: a seriously stunning high-altitude crossing sitting way up at 4,175m (13,697ft) on the border of Argentina and Chile.
Nestled in the heart of the breathtaking Andes, this pass connects the Atacama Region in Chile with the La Rioja province of Argentina. Trust me, the scenery alone is worth the trip – think panoramic vistas that draw travelers from across the globe.
You'll be cruising along Ruta Nacional Nº 76 (in Argentina) and Carretera C359 (in Chile). Be warned: it's mostly unpaved and gets super narrow in sections (only about 40km is paved near the border crossing and Laguna Brava). A 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's essential.
This is a remote route, folks! The entire stretch is 427 km (265 miles) from Copiapó, Chile, to Villa Unión, Argentina.
Heads up: This pass is typically open from November 1st to April 30th, from 9 am to 6 pm – weather permitting. Snowfall can be intense, with over 2 meters blanketing the summit in winter. So plan accordingly and prepare for some truly epic views!
Where is it?
A Road through the Scenic Pircas Negras Pass High in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -34.8509, -61.7899
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 40 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,175 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -34.8509, -61.7899
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