How to Get by Car to Salar del Rincón in Los Andes?
Argentina, south-america
40 km
4,015 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Let me tell you about Salar del Rincón, a hidden gem of a salt lake way up in the Argentinian Andes. We're talking serious altitude here – 4,015m (13,172ft)! You'll find this stunner in Salta Province, practically spitting distance from Chile.
Now, getting there is half the fun. The road, Ruta Nacional 51 (RN51), is all dirt, baby! It's about 40km (24.85 miles) of bumpy goodness starting near Paso de Sico. Trust me, you're gonna want a high-clearance vehicle for this one. Word on the street is this lake is loaded with lithium, which is cool, but the real treasure is the scenery. Get ready for some seriously epic views!
Where is it?
How to Get by Car to Salar del Rincón in Los Andes? is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -39.6955, -62.1279
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 40 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,015 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -39.6955, -62.1279
Related Roads in south-america
extremeDriving the LM-116: The treacherous cliff road from Barba Blanca to Autisha
🇵🇪 Peru
The LM-116 (Carretera Barba Blanca-Autisha), located in the Huarochirí Province of the Lima Region, is widely regarded as one of the most nerve-wracking drives in the Peruvian Andes. This road follows the deep canyon of the Santa Eulalia River, offering a high-altitude transit that is as spectacular as it is terrifying. As seen in the technical imagery, the road is literally carved into the vertical limestone walls of the canyon. The surface is a mix of loose gravel and packed earth, often narrow enough that two cars cannot pass each other at the same time. This forces drivers to reverse on a narrow ledge with hundreds of meters of vertical drop on one side and a solid rock wall on the other. Concentration must be absolute, as there are no guardrails protecting vehicles from the abyss below. The 20 km stretch running south-north from the settlement of Barba Blanca to the Autisha Bridge is an adrenaline-pumping journey. The reputation of the LM-116 is built on its fearsome geography: the road clings to the cliffs with a "free fall" drop that can reach several hundred meters. For passengers suffering from vertigo, this journey is a true nightmare, as the view from the window is often nothing but empty air. Beyond the height, the real mechanical danger comes from landslides. The steep, overhanging rock faces are unstable, and it is common to find large boulders blocking the path, especially after heavy rains. The curves are sharp and many are "blind," meaning you must sound your horn before every turn to avoid a head-on collision on a section too narrow to maneuver. The steepness of the climb also puts significant strain on the brakes and engine cooling systems of any vehicle attempting the transit. A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is the only sensible choice for this route. While the road is technically open to local traffic, it is not for the faint of heart or those inexperienced with Andean driving. Concentration is key; one simple mistake or a lapse in focus has been known to claim the lives of drivers on this specific stretch of the Lima mountains. The drive is best attempted in the dry season (May to September). During the Andean winter, the gravel surface can become a slippery mud trap, and the risk of catastrophic landslides increases tenfold. Despite the danger, the LM-116 remains a vital link for the small communities of the Santa Eulalia valley and offers some of the most raw and untouched canyon scenery in the entire country. If you decide to go, ensure your tires are in perfect condition and your passengers are prepared for an extreme "cliff-hanging" experience. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeLaguna Canchis
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna hit a lake that'll take your breath away – literally? Head to Laguna Canchis in the Peruvian Andes, nestled way up high in Huarochirí province. We're talking a whopping 4,475m (14,681ft) above sea level! The road to get there? Buckle up, buttercup. It's known as LM-116 and it's strictly 4x4 territory. This ain't your Sunday drive, folks. Think seriously steep climbs, gravel roads that love to play slip-n-slide, and a serious lack of oxygen to test your lungs (and patience). Be warned, altitude sickness is common above 2,500 meters! Oh, and did I mention the cliffside drop-offs? Yeah, there are hundreds of meters of pure air between you and the valley floor, with absolutely no guardrails to save you. One wrong move and…well, let's just say you'll get an amazing view on the way down. Seriously, avoid this road in bad weather; avalanches, snow, and landslides are all part of the fun (not!). But if you're prepared for anything and have a taste for the extreme, the scenery is absolutely unreal. Just remember to pack your sense of adventure – and maybe a parachute.
extremeAbra Ojelaca is a paved road heading deep into the high mountains
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Abra Ojelaca is calling your name. This high-altitude Andean pass in southern Peru’s Moquegua Region is an absolute beast, topping out at a whopping 4,606 meters (that's 15,111 feet!). You’ll be cruising up the Interoceanica Sur, a paved but seriously steep road. I'm talking lung-busting inclines. Pro Tip: If you’ve got any respiratory or heart issues, maybe sit this one out. The air gets thin—really thin. Most people start feeling the effects of altitude sickness way before you reach the top, and at this elevation, your engine isn’t the only thing struggling for oxygen! Seriously, altitude sickness is no joke and can hit anyone. At the summit, you're dealing with about 40% less oxygen than you’re used to, so breathing feels like a workout. Your heart's gonna be pounding, and even walking feels like you're wading through molasses. Combine that with the unpredictable weather and you’ve got a challenging, but incredibly rewarding, drive. The views? Totally worth the huffing and puffing, trust me!
hardWhere is Abra de la Santa Cruz and what is the road name?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies, because Abra de la Santa Cruz is calling your name! Deep in the Andes of Northern Argentina, this high-altitude pass straddles the line between Jujuy and Salta provinces, offering views that will absolutely blow your mind. You'll find yourself at a staggering 4,597 meters (that's over 15,000 feet!), so be prepared for some serious altitude. We're talking Ruta Provincial 13A – about 46 kilometers (28 miles) of pure, unadulterated mountain road in Salta Province. Now, let's be real – this isn't your Sunday drive. The whole stretch is challenging, twisting and turning as it conquers the Andes. A 4x4 isn't just recommended, it's practically essential. Expect loose gravel, rocky patches, and an overall rugged experience. Important tip: Altitude sickness (Soroche) is a very real thing up here, so take it seriously. Also, you are out there. Services are few and far between, so pack extra water, fuel, and a solid medical kit. And always, always check the weather – those mountain conditions can change on a dime. Basically, Abra de la Santa Cruz is a high-altitude trek offering views of the Andes mountains, but make sure you are prepared.