Jujuy · Argentina
Cuesta de Lipán
RN 52Purmamarca to Salinas Grandes
One of South America’s greatest high-altitude drives: a paved serpentine climb from the multi-coloured quebrada of Purmamarca to 4,170 m, then across the white expanse of the Salinas Grandes salt flat.
From the technicolour village of Purmamarca at 2,192 m, Ruta 52 ascends through barren Andean terrain in dozens of switchbacks, with a viewpoint below the summit revealing the whole serpentine road. At Abra de Potrerillos (4,170 m) the landscape opens to the high puna; the descent reaches the ghostly Salinas Grandes salt flat at 3,450 m, with vicuñas roaming across the road.
Where it runs
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Character
Higher than 9 in 10 roads in the catalogue.
Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%2,296 – 4,185 mHazards
- altitude sickness above 4,000 m
- sudden fog and storms
- vicuña and llama crossings
- heavy commercial traffic
- deteriorating asphalt in sections
Sources: Road geometry © OpenStreetMap contributors
Nearby roads
The closest great drives to Cuesta de Lipán.