An old mining road to Overo Volcano
Argentina, south-america
N/A
4,481 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Argentina's Andes Mountains, in the San Rafael region of Mendoza, lies Volcán Overo, a dormant volcano reaching a staggering 14,701 feet.
Getting to the top? Buckle up, it's a wild ride! This isn't your Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, rocky, and seriously steep. You'll need a 4x4 with serious clearance to even think about tackling this beast. We're talking hairpin turns galore – hundreds of them! Plus, remember you're way up high, so the air is thin, and the weather can change on a dime. Be prepared for altitude sickness!
The road kicks off near Termas Del Sosneado and winds its way up to Refugio El Ángulo, a mountain refuge near the top. Fun fact: this whole road is an old mining route, built to reach the abandoned Minas de Azufre de Sominar (a sulfur mine). You'll even see the remnants of an old mining tram along the way! Be warned, the last stretch is so narrow, it's best tackled on a bike. The views? Absolutely epic. Get ready for some serious bragging rights when you conquer this one!
Where is it?
An old mining road to Overo Volcano is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -38.7723, -65.8800
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,481 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -38.7723, -65.8800
Related Roads in south-america
extremeAbra Huamanripa
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up adventurers, because Abra Huamanripa in the Ancash region of Peru is a wild ride! This high-altitude pass, also called Abra Yanashalla, tops out at a whopping 4,879 meters (that's over 16,000 feet!). It's the highest point on the Pachacoto – Huayllanca road, a route famed for its stunning, if somewhat intimidating, beauty. Typically open year-round, Mother Nature sometimes has other plans, and snow can temporarily shut things down. The climb is intense, to say the least. The air is thin, the slopes are steep, and the gravel road can get pretty hairy after rain or snow – you might want a 4x4 for some sections. Be warned: this road isn't for the faint of heart! Expect unpredictable weather – snowstorms and blizzards can roll in fast, making driving seriously challenging. Avalanches, heavy snowfall, and landslides are real possibilities, and icy patches are common. Road closures aren't unusual, so it's a must to check the latest conditions before you go. But, if you're prepared for an adventure, the views are absolutely worth it!
moderateDriving the unpaved road to Cienaga de Paicone-Rio Mojon Pass
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, buckle up for an adventure at the Paso Internacional Ciénaga de Paicone-Río Mojón! This high-altitude border crossing sits way up at 3,645 meters (that's almost 12,000 feet!) straddling Argentina and Bolivia. You'll find it connecting the remote northwest of Argentina's Jujuy Province with the wild southwestern Sur Lípez Province of Bolivia. The road itself is a 12-kilometer (around 7.5 miles) stretch of unpaved road that runs from the Argentinian town of Ciénega (also known as Ciénega de Paicone) up to Río Mojón on the Bolivian side. The road is generally in good condition, but the views are absolutely spectacular!
extremeCarirriñe Pass is a scenic, lesser-traveled mountain pass between Chile and Argentina
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Paso Carirriñe is a must-do border crossing between Chile and Argentina, clocking in at 1,150m (3,772ft) above sea level. This isn't your everyday highway; it's a less-traveled path linking the Los Ríos region of Chile to the wild beauty of Argentine Patagonia. The route stretches 133 km (82.64 miles), starting near Coñaripe on the shores of Calafquén Lake and winding its way to San Martín de los Andes. Prepare to be amazed by the volcanic landscape – think hot springs and solidified lava flows! A heads-up: this pass is generally open during the summer months, usually from November 15th, with limited hours (8 AM to 8 PM). Snow, landslides, and road work can shut it down other times of the year, so plan accordingly. On the Chilean side (Ruta CH-201), you'll mostly find paved, albeit narrow, roads, though the last 15km are gravel (but slated for pavement!). Cross into Argentina (Ruta Provincial 62), and you’re in for a different experience. It's unpaved, bumpy, and super narrow. It can get rough, so I'd seriously recommend a 4WD vehicle. Despite the weather's impact and some dicey road conditions, locals use it quite a bit (they know what they're doing!).
extremeA hairy paved road to Anticona Pass in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Anticona, a seriously high-altitude pass in the Peruvian Andes, straddling the Lima and Junin regions! We're talking 4,824m (15,826ft) above sea level – that's higher than most clouds! It's often mistakenly called the highest paved road in South America, but regardless, it's a wild ride. You'll find it snaking through the Cordillera Central on the Carretera Central (Ruta 22), all nicely paved. At the top, there's even a little bar and parking spot to soak in the views! The whole shebang is about 37.4 km (23 miles) from Casapalca heading east to the JU-102 road. Now, don't think this is a Sunday drive. This road is steep, twisty, and full of surprises. Think hairpin bends, crazy amounts of trucks and buses, landslides, and llamas randomly running across the road. Cyclists should probably skip this one for safety reasons. Oh, and the weather? Expect the unexpected! Give yourself around an hour to conquer it. The peak, also called Ticlio Pass or Nevado de Ticlio, marks the spot where South America splits, with rivers flowing to either the Pacific or Atlantic.