Is Abra del Gallo Unpaved?

Is Abra del Gallo Unpaved?

Argentina, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle one of Argentina's highest roads? Then you NEED to check out Abra del Gallo in Salta Province!

We're talking serious altitude here—we're well above sea level. This isn't your average Sunday drive.

You'll be cruising along Provincial Route 129 (RP129), but be warned: pavement is a myth. Expect a bumpy ride, with mostly ripio (that's gravel to you and me), and some sections of sand that'll keep you on your toes.

So how long is this epic adventure? The road stretches for quite a distance.

But trust me, the views are totally worth the shaky ride and potential dust inhalation! Get ready for some seriously jaw-dropping scenery that will make your Instagram followers green with envy. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road and be prepared for tricky conditions. This one's not for the faint of heart!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Difficulty
moderate

Related Roads in south-america

Cerro Carasillamoderate

Cerro Carasilla

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're hunting for a serious off-road challenge in Chile's Antofagasta Region (smack dab near the Bolivian border), then Cerro Carasilla needs to be on your radar. We're talking a lung-busting 5,047 meters (16,558 feet) above sea level. The road? Well, "road" is a generous term. It's more like a gnarly, rocky, gravelly path designed to test your mettle. Expect huge, jagged rocks that demand skillful driving to avoid shredding your tires. Seriously, come prepared! This isn't a Sunday drive for the faint of heart (or lungs!). If you've got respiratory issues or heart problems, sit this one out. You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 beast with skid plates and diff lockers – stock vehicles need not apply! The elements are another beast altogether. Expect brutal winds and crazy fast weather changes. Pack for cold, even in summer, because snow is a real possibility. Winter? Forget about it – bone-chilling doesn't even begin to describe it. This is a mine road, so expect some industrial scenery along the way... but the raw, untamed beauty of the high-altitude desert is absolutely worth it. Get ready for an epic, unforgettable experience!

A wild mining road to Abra de La Deidad in the Andeshard

A wild mining road to Abra de La Deidad in the Andes

🇨🇱 Chile

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're in Chile's Coquimbo Region and crave some serious altitude, you HAVE to check out Abra de La Deidad. This bad boy clocks in at a whopping 4,907 meters (that's 16,099 feet!), making it one of Chile's highest roads. Nestled in the heart of the Andes, practically kissing the Argentinian border near Los Cuartitos, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a completely unpaved, rugged mining road. Expect a challenging journey, folks – think narrow stretches, seriously steep inclines, and hairpin turns galore. But here's the catch: due to its extreme elevation, you can only tackle this beast during the summer months (December to April). The rest of the year, Mother Nature slams the door shut with heavy snow. And even in summer, be prepared for biting winds and bone-chilling cold. The views? Absolutely epic. The bragging rights? Totally worth it.

Where is Laguna Parón?hard

Where is Laguna Parón?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: you're in Peru, east of Caraz, smack-dab in Huascarán National Park, heading toward Laguna Parón, a huge, unbelievably turquoise lake nestled way up high. We're talking serious elevation here! The road? Forget smooth sailing. This 30-km (18.45-mile) stretch from Caraz is pure, unadulterated dirt. The climb is intense, like 1788m (5866ft) intense, averaging around a 6% gradient. Think hairpin turns, and I mean *lots* of them—over 300, apparently! As you wind your way up, you're swallowed by a massive canyon. Imagine towering granite walls, some reaching a kilometer high, with crazy steep drops right beside the road. It's both stunning and a little terrifying, in the best way. But the views! Oh, the views. Keep your camera ready because the lake itself, the Cordillera Blanca peaks like Artesonraju (yep, the Paramount Pictures mountain!), Chacraraju, Pisco, and Huandoy, will blow your mind. This drive is worth every single bump and hairpin, trust me.

Can you drive to Machu Picchu?extreme

Can you drive to Machu Picchu?

🇵🇪 Peru

So, you wanna hit up Machu Picchu? Buckle up, because the road there is an adventure in itself! We're talking about the Carretera a Machu Picchu, or as some call it, the Hiram Bingham Highway. This isn't your typical smooth ride, though. Imagine a totally unpaved, zigzagging road snaking its way up to the historic site. Only authorized vehicles are allowed, so hop on a bus in Aguas Calientes (Machu Picchu Town). This little town, nestled at the foot of the mountain, is worth a visit, with hotels, restaurants, and natural hot springs (yep, that's where the name comes from!). The road climbs a solid 8.9km (5.53 miles) to Machu Picchu. Don't let the term "highway" fool you – it's more like a rollercoaster built into the side of a mountain. Expect a thrilling series of 14 hairpin turns that are super narrow and steep, with gradients hitting a maximum of 27%! Talk about a climb! It's definitely not for the faint of heart. Picture this: two buses meeting on one of these tight turns. One has to reverse uphill just to find a spot wide enough for them to squeeze past each other. You'll be gripping the armrest, but the views along the way are incredible. The road also crosses a bridge over the Vilcanota River. The Hiram Bingham Highway isn't just a road; it's an experience, a rite of passage before you even set foot in Machu Picchu. Get ready for a wild ride!