
Dare to drive the dangerous road to Abra del Condor
Argentina, south-america
47.4 km
3,942 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Abra del Cóndor in Argentina is calling your name! We're talking a staggering 3,942 meters (12,933 feet) above sea level, perched right on the border between Jujuy and Salta provinces in the wild northwest.
This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about Ruta Provincial 133 and 13, AKA Carretera de Iruya, a mostly unpaved path stretching nearly 48 kilometers (30 miles) from the RN9, just north of Humahuaca, all the way to the charming village of Iruya. Get ready for a wild ride, because this road throws everything at you: endless twists and turns, hairpin curves that'll make your head spin, and seriously steep drops where you'll be hugging the mountainside. Oh, and did I mention you'll be fording rivers?
But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Imagine yourself surrounded by mind-blowing mountain landscapes, quaint, secluded villages, and off-road trails begging to be explored. You'll be treated to panoramic vistas of valleys dotted with cultivated terraces, all framed by vibrant, multi-colored mountains and bizarrely eroded rock formations.
Keep an eye on the weather, though! It's usually pretty dry, but summer storms can turn this road into a muddy mess. Your best bet? Plan your trip for June through October. Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
Where is it?
Dare to drive the dangerous road to Abra del Condor is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.4430, -65.9393
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 47.4 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,942 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -37.4430, -65.9393
Related Roads in south-america
extremeWhy is it called Lastarria Volcano?
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: you're straddling the border between Chile and Argentina, smack-dab in the Central Andes. Looming large is Volcán Lastarria, a seriously impressive stratovolcano named after some 19th-century Chilean brainiac, José Victorino Lastarria. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. The road, if you can even call it that, claws its way up the volcano to a lung-busting altitude that puts it in the running for one of the highest roads in Argentina. We’re talking serious elevation here. The scenery? Think desolate, otherworldly, and jaw-dropping. You'll be surrounded by intense yellow sulfur deposits thanks to the volcano's constant, powerful fumaroles – it's been puffing away for over 70 years. But be warned: this beauty comes with a bite. The "road" is basically a set of unmarked mining tracks carved out for sulfur extraction. Expect loose volcanic ash, sharp obsidian rocks, and sneaky sand drifts just waiting to swallow your tires. High-clearance 4x4? Non-negotiable. Satellite imagery? Your new best friend. And did I mention the altitude? The air is thin, your engine's gonna whine, and those sulfur gases? They're not exactly aromatherapy. Plus, you're miles from civilization. If something goes wrong, you're on your own. Pack accordingly—we’re talking supplemental oxygen, gas masks, and enough supplies to survive a zombie apocalypse. This ain't for the faint of heart, but for the ultimate adventure, Lastarria delivers.
hardCan you drive to Sosneado Hotel?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride to the eerie Hotel Termas de El Sosneado! Deep in the Mendoza Province of Argentina, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. Forget pavement, Provincial Route 220 is all about rocks, loose gravel, and maybe a little rubble for good measure. Oh, and did I mention the narrow wooden bridges, mud, and rivers of brown water you'll be splashing through? Starting near El Sosneado, this off-road adventure stretches nearly 60 km to the ruined hotel, perched beside the Atuel River. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. You'll climb to over 2,000 meters above sea level! Built in 1938, this luxury hotel met its end after an avalanche in 1953. The main draw? Thermal spring pools fed by the nearby Overo volcano! Word is you can still take a dip. Locals whisper about it being a former Nazi hideout. Spooky, right? Set against the backdrop of the Andes, this trip will steal 2-3 hours of your day. Heads up: this road is usually impassable during winter. There are no services along the way, so pack a full tank of gas, food, and plenty of water. You've been warned!
hardDon’t glance down at your phone on the road to Punta Ushuayca
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up adventure junkies, because Punta Ushuayca in Peru is about to blow your mind! We're talking a sky-high mountain pass chilling at 4,930m (that's 16,174ft!) in the Lima Region. Picture this: you're deep in the Andes, cruising through the Nor Yauyos-Cochas landscape reserve. Now, heads up, this isn't your average Sunday drive. The LM-120 road to the top is all dirt and gets seriously steep! A little rain turns it into a real challenge. You *can* technically make it in a regular car, but trust me, you'll be way happier (and safer) in a 4x4. This north-south route stretches for a whopping 140 km (87 miles) from San Mateo to Tinco. Get ready for some epic views! Just keep your eyes peeled and your hands on the wheel.
extremeDriving the hairy road to Portachuelo Pass in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the ride of your life! We're headed to Paso Portachuelo Llanganuco in the Yungay province of Peru, a dizzying 4,717 meters (15,475 feet) above sea level. This isn't just a road; it's an adventure carved into the heart of the Cordillera Blanca, within Huascaran National Park, north of that crazy Punta Olimpica Tunnel. Forget smooth sailing — this 70.8 km (44-mile) stretch from Yungay to Yanama is pure, unadulterated, unpaved glory. We're talking 50 hairpin turns that will have you questioning your sanity (in the best way possible). Officially known as AN-106 (Carretera de Yungay), this ancient passageway, used since pre-Inca times, is not for the faint of heart. Imagine this: sheer drops meeting stone cliffs, hairpin turns so tight you'll need a Sherpa to guide you, and gradients hitting a hefty 11%. And if it's been raining? Get ready for loose stones and mud to test your driving skills. Oh, and keep an eye out for potential avalanches! But trust me, the rewards are HUGE. The views? Unreal. You'll be gazing at giants like Mounts Huascaran, Huandoy, Chopicalqui, Pisco, Chacraraju, and Yanapaccha. Typically open year-round, this pass offers an insane corridor between the Pacific and Atlantic watersheds. Get ready for an experience that will leave you breathless – both from the altitude and the beauty.