Where is Sico Pass?

Where is Sico Pass?

Argentina, south-america

Length

337 km

Elevation

4,092 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're looking for an epic border crossing between Chile and Argentina, then Paso de Sico is calling your name.

This high-altitude pass sits at a staggering 13,425 feet above sea level, linking the Antofagasta Region of Chile with the Salta Province of Argentina. We're talking serious Andes mountain scenery here!

The journey stretches for 209 miles, winding from San Pedro de Atacama in Chile to the quaint town of San Antonio de los Cobres in Argentina.

On the Chilean side, expect smooth sailing on a newly paved road. But Argentina throws in some spice with a challenging unpaved section – though rumors say it may get paved soon!

Keep an eye on the weather! Summer brings pleasant 23°C, but winter dips to a chilly -12°C. It’s open year-round, but those high altitudes mean things can get cold and seriously windy, so pack accordingly. Get ready for views that'll leave you breathless (literally, maybe, at that altitude!), and an experience you won't soon forget!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
337 km
Max Elevation
4,092 m
Difficulty
hard

Related Roads in south-america

Is the Road to Salinas Lake Unpaved?extreme

Is the Road to Salinas Lake Unpaved?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: You're in the Arequipa Region of Peru, ready for an adventure. Your destination? Laguna de Salinas, a shimmering salt lake perched way up at 14,222 feet. Getting there? That's half the fun (and maybe a little bit of the terror!). We're talking Ruta 34C, a 40-mile stretch of pure, unadulterated off-road mayhem. Forget pavement, this is all dirt, rocks, and serious curves. Think narrow paths barely wide enough for your rig, sheer cliffs on one side, and a stomach-dropping plunge on the other – no guardrails to be seen! Expect tunnels, hairpin turns galore, and views that'll make you forget your fear… almost. Give yourself a solid two hours to tackle this beast from Arequipa, the gorgeous colonial city. Trust me, you'll want every minute to navigate this wild ride. You'll need nerves of steel and a vehicle you trust implicitly, but the bragging rights and the otherworldly scenery at the end? Totally worth it!

The paved BR-174 is becoming impassablehard

The paved BR-174 is becoming impassable

🇧🇷 Brazil

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! BR-174 in Brazil: this paved road is a wild ride straight through the heart of the Amazonas! Stretching 1,581 km (982 miles), it's a north-south spine connecting Manaus (the Amazonas capital) to Pacaraima, right on the Venezuelan border. Now, don't let "paved" fool you. This route gets hammered by heavy trucks, especially when the rains come. We're talking potholes, mud pits, and potentially some serious quagmires. It's a true test for your vehicle (and your nerves!). If you're lucky with the weather, expect a solid 25-30 hours of driving to conquer the whole thing. Inaugurated in 1980 and finished in 1998, this road has seen some things! Keep an eye out for flooding when you cross the Anauá River. But hey, who wants a boring drive anyway? Get ready for some epic scenery and a true taste of the Amazon.

Where is Abra de Potrerillos?hard

Where is Abra de Potrerillos?

🇦🇷 Argentina

Abra de Potrerillos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.192m (13,753ft) above sea level, located in the department of Tumbaya, in Argentina. Where is Abra de Potrerillos? The pass is located in the province of Jujuy, in the northwestern part of the country. When was Abra de Potrerillos built? Formerly, the territory was crossed by mule trails descending from the highlands to the valley. In the early '70s, a dirt road was built, part of the Provincial Route 16, linking San Salvador de Jujuy, the capital of the province, with the town of Susques . In 1979, the stretch of 65 km from Purmamarca to Route 40 became a national jurisdiction, called National Route 52. And in 1999, the nation and the province signed an agreement to start the construction of this new road in 2000. Is Abra de Potrerillos paved? The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called National Route 52 (RN52). A few hundred meters before reaching its peak, there is a viewpoint where people can observe the dramatic road entirely. The view of the road as it climbs in a series of switchbacks makes you wonder at the engineering required. How long is Abra de Potrerillos? The pass is 80.1 km (49.77 miles) long, running east-west from Purmamarca to Santuario de Tres Pozos via Salinas Grandes. Beyond this point, the RN52 continues to Is Abra de Potrerillos challenging? The challenging road to the summit is known as Cuesta del Lipán (Lipan Slope). It’s a winding steep road with countless turns and hairpin turns. In approximately 17 kilometers, the slope rises from the edge of the town of Purmamarca at 2,192m to Abra de Potrerillos. The road then goes down to Salinas Grandes, at 3,450 meters. The slope consists of a fully paved road that meanders in its ascent. Be prepared; this is high, so you will have shortness of breath if you try to do anything a bit strenuous. What are the highest roads in Argentina? A memorable unpaved road to Abra de Chorrillos 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.

Where does the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay start and end?hard

Where does the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay start and end?

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Tres Cruces is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.161m (13,651ft) above sea level, located in the province of Azuay, in Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads in the country. Where does the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay start and end? Set high in the highlands of Ecuador, the road to the summit is totally paved, mostly with concrete. It’s called Vía Colectora Cuenca-Puerto Inca (E582) and links Guayaquil and Cuenca, the third largest city in Ecuador. How is the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay? The road is very curvy and steep, in good condition, with several hairpin turns. Expect foggy, rainy, cold and misty weather. It rains most habitually in the afternoons. Is the road to Tres Cruces in Azuay worth the drive? Tucked away in the southern Ecuador’s Andes mountains, within the Parque Nacional Cajas, this section is the most western part of the continental divide of South Americas. At the summit of Tres Cruces “Three crosses”, there is a small car park, which isn't always up to the demand, especially at weekends, leading to Mirador Tres Cruces, a high mountain overlook. At the summit there is a monument to the people who have died in the national park. Historically, people died in passage from the port of Guayaquil to the sierras. The three crosses were placed to commemorate the fact that many people died at that point from altitude sickness. The views are well worth the effort. The Wild Road to Edward Whymper Refuge Papallacta is one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth 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.