Ruta Provincial 13

Ruta Provincial 13

Argentina, south-america

Length

86.2 km

Elevation

888 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Ready for an Argentinian adventure? Provincial Route 13, snaking through the Andes in Mendoza Province, is a gravel road that will leave you breathless. Think epic scenery as you crawl along dry riverbeds and conquer mountain passes.

This 86.2 km (53.5 miles) track connects Mendoza (888m/2,913ft) with Uspallata near the Chilean border (1,898m/6,227ft). Forget your sports car; this is 4x4 territory! Seriously, unless you're itching for a new ride, leave the 2WD at home.

Locals call it Camino Las Lajas or The Route of the Telegrapher – an old route that used to link Argentina and Chile. Legend says it has 365 turns! The highest point soars to 3,110m (10,203ft), so snow can shut things down anytime. And watch out for heavy mist; visibility can drop to zero.

The road is rough, narrow, and steep. Never go solo. A GPS is crucial, and be prepared for a 3-4 hour journey. Avoid severe weather at all costs, because avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides happen. Patches of ice are common. But if you're experienced and prepared, Route 13 will be an unforgettable experience.

Where is it?

Ruta Provincial 13 is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -37.1194, -62.2741

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
86.2 km
Max Elevation
888 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-37.1194, -62.2741

Related Roads in south-america

Where is the Paramount logo mountain?hard

Where is the Paramount logo mountain?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in Peru's Huaylas Province, nestled within the Caraz District, lies a majestic peak: Artesonraju. Sound familiar? Some say this beauty is the real-life inspiration behind the iconic Paramount Pictures logo! You'll find it in the Ancash Region, part of the breathtaking Cordillera Blanca range in the Peruvian Andes. Picture this: a perfect pyramid with ridiculously steep, clean slopes leading straight to a tiny summit. Stunning! Getting there? Buckle up! The road winds through Huascaran National Park and let me tell you, the drive is an experience in itself. We're talking hairpin turns—over 100 of them! But the views? Absolutely worth it. You'll be treated to panoramic vistas of Chacraraju, Pisco, and the mighty Huandoy mountains, all while chasing the legend of the Paramount logo. The route carves through a spectacular canyon, flanked by granite walls that soar 1000 meters high! Just be prepared for a challenging ride!

Where is Abra Chaucha?moderate

Where is Abra Chaucha?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Peruvian Andes, right on the border of Junín and Lima regions, smack-dab in the middle of the country's highlands. You're heading towards Abra Chaucha, a seriously high mountain pass. The road? Well, it's paved...sort of. Let's just say you'll want to give your suspension a pep talk before you start! We're talking some potholes that could swallow a small car whole. Seriously, think twice about driving this at night. This pass is a piece of a much longer east-west route, linking Cerro de Pasco (the capital of Pasco) to Lima. Along the way, you'll cross several other high mountain passes, so buckle up for some seriously stunning highland scenery. It's an epic drive, full of drama and views that will make your jaw drop.

Driving the road to Laguna de la Azufrera is not a piece of cakehard

Driving the road to Laguna de la Azufrera is not a piece of cake

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a serious off-road experience in Chile's Antofagasta Region, Laguna de la Azufrera is calling your name. We're talking about a lake perched way up high at 4,288 meters (that's over 14,000 feet!), so be prepared for some thin air. The route, known as B-885, is a beast of a 4x4 track. Seriously, don't even think about attempting this in bad weather. The climb is intense, oxygen is scarce, and the steepness is relentless. If you're prone to altitude sickness, take note: most people start feeling it well before you even get close. The gravel surface can be loose and treacherous, especially on the edges. And if it's been raining, forget about it – this track turns into a muddy, slippery mess that'll test your driving skills to the max. But trust me, if you're up for the challenge, the views are absolutely worth it! Just be sure to check the weather forecast before you go, and maybe pack some oxygen.

Where Is Cerro Paranal?hard

Where Is Cerro Paranal?

🇨🇱 Chile

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Let's talk about Ruta Observatorio Paranal, the road to Cerro Paranal in Chile's Antofagasta Province. This isn't your Sunday drive! You'll find yourself smack-dab in the west-central part of the country, climbing to a whopping 2,635 meters (8,645 feet) above sea level. Why bother? Well, Cerro Paranal is home to the Paranal Observatory, a seriously futuristic-looking spot—so much so that James Bond himself filmed some scenes here! The road itself? Buckle up for 8.6 kilometers (5.34 miles) of Ruta Observatorio Paranal, starting from the B-710. It's a steep climb, averaging a 6.58% gradient, with ramps hitting a maximum of 12%! You'll gain 566 meters in elevation, so your engine's gonna work for it. Fair warning: the very last bit is blocked by a checkpoint. Get ready for killer views as you ascend!