Is Route 40 in Argentina paved?
Argentina, south-america
5,000 km
4,956 m
hard
Year-round
Ruta 40, snaking from Santa Cruz all the way up to Jujuy province, is *the* Argentinian road trip. We're talking over 5,000 km (3,107 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure down the western spine of Argentina!
Most of La Cuarenta is paved these days, but don't be fooled; in the south, you'll find long, lonely gravel stretches where you might not see another soul (or gas station!) for hundreds of kilometers.
This epic route starts almost at sea level and then climbs, and climbs, and CLIMBS, right up to a lung-busting 4,956m (16,259ft) at Abra del Acay. Along the way, you'll cross 18 national parks, count countless rivers, and conquer 27 Andean passes. Prepare for serious mountain driving! Watch out for ice and snow during the winter months.
Allow at least 10 days, if not two weeks, to truly soak it all in. The landscapes are out of this world. Think volcanic lava fields, ancient forests, shimmering salt flats, and, of course, the mighty Andes as your constant companion. Keep an eye out for Fitzroy and Cerro Torre near El Chalten.
A 4x4 isn't always essential, but be aware that some sections are unpaved. Watch for strong winds and rough gravel, especially in Patagonia. Cell service can be spotty outside towns, so be prepared to be self-sufficient. Fill your gas tank at every opportunity, and pack plenty of water and snacks. This road is an adventure, not a Sunday drive!
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 5,000 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,956 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
extremeHow challenging is the road to Abra Pucuani?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
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moderateTravelling through the international Colchane-Pisiga Pass
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright adventurers, buckle up for the Paso Colchane-Pisiga, a seriously breathtaking international pass perched way up at 3,695 meters (that's over 12,000 feet!) on the border between Chile and Bolivia. This beauty connects the Tamarugal Province of Chile's Tarapacá Region with Bolivia's Oruro Department, specifically the Sabaya Province. Picture this: you're cruising through the Andean altiplano on a completely paved road. On the Chilean side, you'll be cruising along Ruta 15-CH, while in Bolivia, it's Ruta Nacional 12. The whole stretch is a solid 300 km (or 186 miles) long, linking Corque in Bolivia to San Lorenzo de Tarapacá in Chile. Get ready for stunning scenery and a serious dose of high-altitude vibes!
hardWhen was the road to Cerro Aucanquilcha built?
🇨🇱 Chile
Cerro Aucanquilcha is a massive stratovolcano located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. An old mine road used to run to the top, but now much of it about 5.500m (18,044ft) above sea level has been wiped out by landslides. For many years it was the highest drivable road in the world When was the road to Cerro Aucanquilcha built? Set high in the northern part of the country, part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes, the road to the summit is totally unpaved, but no longer usable by vehicles. Mining originally began on the volcano in 1913, initially using llamas as pack animals to carry down the sulfur. An aerial cable system extending for 22 km (14 mi) was completed in 1935, to lower the sulfur in buckets. Eventually this was replaced in 1972 by the road which switchbacked up to the summit and was capable of supporting 20-ton mining trucks. It was the world's highest mine during that period. It’s one of the highest roads of South America Can you drive to the summit of Cerro Aucanquilcha? Located to the west of the border with Bolivia, within the Alto Loa National Reserve one of the highest roads of Chile This is an extremely tough road to try and climb up on a bike. The terrible surface and steep gradients meant that with loaded bikes you will have to push about 80% of the way from 4,000m to a high point at 5,130m. Although a number of people have taken their bikes to the summit, the surface on many stretches of the road is very bad or even blocked due to landslides. However, there are sections of rideable road all the way to the summit. At the summit itself it would also be possible to ride around a bit. Since the mine closed in 1993 much of the road has fallen into disrepair. Motorized use is no longer possible. How is the climb to Cerro Aucanquilcha? The existence of the old road makes it relatively easy to get to the summit on foot if you are well acclimatized and the old mining camp at 5,280m makes a good base camp as there are walls to shelter your tent. The winds in this area can be fierce and especially in winter the nights can be extremely cold. The highest permanent human habitation was a galvanized iron hut acting as a miners' barracks, with 4 workers, at about 5,500 m (18,000 ft). Pic: Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 4.0 ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 )], via Wikimedia Commons Conquering the scenic Y290 road in the Chilean Patagonia A dangerous and difficult road to Guallatiri Volcano Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
hardWhere is Caliz Pass?
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Peru, you NEED to experience Paso Caliz. We're talking about a seriously high mountain pass, topping out at 5,206 meters (that's 17,080 feet!). You'll find it nestled between the Canchis and Quispicanchi provinces, deep in the Cusco Region, practically breathing the same air as the Quelccaya Glacier. Word to the wise: this road is NO JOKE. It's about 50 kilometers (31 miles) of pure, unadulterated, unpaved Andean adventure. Think killer drop-offs, super tight hairpin turns that will test your driving skills, and sections so steep you'll swear you're going vertical. Oh, and did I mention the altitude? You're gonna feel the thin air up there, so be prepared for some potential altitude sickness! This epic route, also known as Abra de Caliz or Abra Laccopata, runs from Marcapata (off Carretera 30C) down to CU-125 Road. Winter's a no-go—the snow makes it completely impassable. But if you hit it right, you're in for a visual feast. Just imagine yourself winding through the Cordillera Vilcanota range, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and mind-blowing scenery. Trust me, it's an unforgettable journey!