Driving the steep Andean road to Vallecitos ski resort in Mendoza
The road to Vallecitos is a high-altitude unpaved mountain route located in the Mendoza Province of Argentina. Carried through the Valle del Plata in the Cordón del Plata range, this gravel track climbs continuously to reach the mountain ski resort at an elevation of 2,999 meters (9,839 ft) above sea level.
| Road facts: Vallecitos & Lomas Blancas | |
|---|---|
| Location | Mendoza Province (Argentina) |
| Resort Elevation | 2,999 m (9,839 ft) |
| Lomas Blancas Peak | 3,486 m (11,437 ft) |
| Distance (from Las Vegas) | 16.4 km (10.2 miles) |
| Surface | Unpaved (Gravel / Ripio) |
What are the road conditions on the way to Vallecitos?
The unpaved ascent covers a distance of 16.4 kilometers (10.2 miles) starting from the settlement of Las Vegas. The track surface consists entirely of loose gravel (ripio) mixed with sharp rocks that slide down from the flanking Andean slopes. The route scales the valley via dozens of tight hairpin turns where the dirt floor offers poor tire traction on the steepest sections of the incline.
What driving methods are required for the Vallecitos descent?
The steep mountain topography forces a slow uphill pace in low gears due to the continuous vertical slope up to 3,000 meters. On the return descent, the sustained downward grade requires constant use of engine braking to regulate vehicle momentum down the hairpins. The unpaved mountain shelves are narrow, lacking lateral safety barriers, concrete guardrails, or intermediate service facilities along the cliffs.
How challenging is the unpaved track to Lomas Blancas?
Beyond the mountain resort, a narrow unpaved track continues north, climbing to an elevation of 3,486 meters (11,437 ft) at Lomas Blancas. This high-altitude sector is restricted to high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles. The track narrows to a single-vehicle width along a steep zigzag alignment of tight switchbacks. The surface consists of deep, unstable gravel running directly alongside unprotected drop-offs that fall into the glacial valley floor.
Pic: Tere Cuccia