Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > South America
South America Topics specific to South America only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 18 Dec 2007
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 31
Great Roads in South America - what are they?

Too many to name, but just in Argentina, Rta. 9 between Salta and Jujuy is pretty OK with it's one-lane, yet two-way traffic on a smooth tarmac surface with its 60 km length and 2000 turns. Then there is the gravel road 52 between Upsallata and Mendoza that goes through Villavicencio. The scenery is more than spectacular. Oh yeah, the dirt road, Rta. 173, south of San Rafael that goes to El Nihuil is real nice as well. Then there's .............

Steep
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 20 Dec 2007
siggsy's Avatar
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: london
Posts: 76
agree with knetic, theres to many to mention, but the one that stands out in my memory and will always be there is the dirt road from chuquibamba to cotahausi in southern peru. About 130km of brutal dirt, sand, loose boulders, single track with drops into the abyss and generaly everything a road could through at you.... accending to around 15500 feet... rode it in may 07 and i think they are trying to upgrade the road, so if you want a test, ride it as soon as ya can.. leave enough daylight though. we ended riding half of it at night. was the most testing experience i have ever experienced.... had to ride back out the same route, coz its the only way in and out of cotahausi... but in the daylight it was amazing, the scenery is spectacular. The cotahausi canyon is one of the most idealic places i have ever been lucky enough to see, absolutly stunning beauty..... mind you, where in peru isnt it the most stunning beauty !
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 20 Dec 2007
Contributing Member
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: London/Kiwi
Posts: 50
Cuzco to Nazca, unbelievable.

Oruro in Bolivia directly west to Iquique, Chile, awesome. Arica, Chile, to La Paz via the place starting with "P" (sorry, forget the name). Basically anytime you're going from the Altiplano down to sea level (or vice versa) is awesome.

Also, Potosi to Oruro (Bolivia).

These above are all tarmac (except Oruro to the border to Chile). For dirt kicks the Careterra Austral is hard to beat. Junin de los Andes to Pucon also very good (head south from Junin by about 5 k's and turn right). There's a lovely looking lakeside campsite on this road as well and a tiny, very friendly, border crossing.

From Futulefu to El Bolson there is a natinonal park you can ride thorugh which is gravel, great fun and loads of nice camping too.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 20 Dec 2007
BklynDakar's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: NY, USA
Posts: 356
Smile

Best combination of fun riding and beautiful landscape is Carretera Austral, especially the southern end around Lago General and then continuing down ruta 40. Dirt/ sand from Uyuni to Chile via Laguna Colorado and Laguna Verde. For paved twisties there are too many to mention. Mendoza - Santiago was good. Nazca - Cusco was good but it has a long boring ride through the altiplano.
__________________
Prevously known as JSherm
My blog: http://www.motorcycleramblings.com/
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/tstories/sherman/ I will up date this soon, really Grant, I will....
"This is the story of America. Everybody's doing what they think they're supposed to do." J Kerouac
"Who's more foolish: the fool, or the fool who follows him" OW Kenobi
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 18 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Huaraz, Peru
Posts: 24
For me, the (mostly) smooth almost 800 km pavement between Nazca and Cusco had everything I want. Hundreds of curves in all kinds, long flat high plains, sudden drops into canyons, very little traffic... and a fantastic arrival.
My monthly ride up the Andes to Huaraz is still exciting after a hundred runs..
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 25 Feb 2008
BCK_973's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Buenos Aires,City of good sex,mate and asado!
Posts: 539
Thumbs up can recomend it!

Just done it this february again and allways a pleasure to do.Speedy curves and stunning views all the time.Changing climates zones too.From rainy wet cordoba into the semi desertic traslasierras!You see and smell the diferences on both sides.
Passing by Cordoba don´t skip this one.
Can return by "el paso de los gigantes" or take the route from Merlo up the sierras through La cruz!
This area is mostly missed,a true beauty.
Look at my blog for few pictures
Karl
__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 25 Feb 2008
quastdog's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chiangmai, Thailand
Posts: 509
I'm sitting in Mina Clavero at the moment, doing the internet thing waiting for the rain to stop. It's been raining every day in this area the five days I've been around here. So its funny this thread was updated the last 24 hours.

Quote:
Originally Posted by waterfox View Post
I'll propose the road betmeen Villa Carlos Paz and Mina Clavero in Cordoba Argentina, 160 Km very tight curves, a bit cold at the top, and never rains in winter....
Ah...don´t want to waste this opportunity (RP20) riding in the rain.

Quote:
Originally Posted by BCK_973
Can return by "el paso de los gigantes" or take the route from Merlo up the sierras through La cruz!
This area is mostly missed,a true beauty.
And this road (RP5) from Merlo over to La Cruz is currently closed - suspect the rain caused a slide or perhaps killed a bridge - the police won't let anyone through.

One of the best roads I've done in SA was the 100km or so of pavement up from the south into Coyhaique, Chile. Excellent pavement, well engineered road, no sheep/goats/cows/llamas/etc. to contend with. At least, after doing Ruta 40 up from TDF and then the Carretera Austral down to Villa O'Higgins and back up, finally hitting a patch of pavement made a lasting impression.
__________________
quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 25 Feb 2008
BCK_973's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Buenos Aires,City of good sex,mate and asado!
Posts: 539
Rainy summer

Hey Quastadog,sorry to read that.The days i did that was a bit cloudy but not rain.The next day was totaly clear and i was in San Javier.
The road to the top of "merlo´s mountain" is paved and with heavy rains tends to washed away!
But stunning to do.Hopefully you get a chance.If so stay for a sleep in Lutti.On the other side.
CU at Dakar?
Karl
__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!

Last edited by BCK_973; 25 Feb 2008 at 17:54. Reason: grammer!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 26 Feb 2008
quastdog's Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Chiangmai, Thailand
Posts: 509
Quote:
Originally Posted by BCK_973 View Post
CU at Dakar?
Karl
After the B'day party in Azul.
__________________
quastdog
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 27 Feb 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 36
Nominations

Agree with previous noinations (especially Carretera Austral, Ruta 40 and North from Salta) and would also like to add the Road of Death in Bolivia (both the old and the new roads from La Paz to Coroico) and have just done part of the Colca Canyon, which could be fantastic if it wasn´t so foggy!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 1 Mar 2008
HUBB Advertiser
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Buenos Aires, Argentina
Posts: 957
Best Road in South America?

The road you are on! xfiltrate
__________________
Motorcycle Parking Buenos Aires, Argentina
www.xfiltrate.com
Discover how to legally Buy, Tour and Sell a motorcycle in Argentina
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 2 Mar 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: aachen
Posts: 127
para los amigos del ripio

hola amigos
the road from concepcion,tucuman to andalgala,catamarca,is a must if you love ripio and scenerie,lot's of hair pin bends and loose gravel.
in conection with cafayate,tafi del valle, concepcion,andalgala,belen,cafayate it's a nice round trip and wortwhile a detour.
all the best geri
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 20 Mar 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 36
Ipiales to Popayan, Columbia

Just went from the border with Ecuador at Ipiales to Popayan yesterday for a lovely 300+kms of muchas curvas peligrosas y sinuosas, with some potholes, rockslides and oncoming lorry action to add some spice - a lovely road and highly recommended....
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 23 Mar 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Posts: 36
Actually.......

...all the way to Medellin from Cali is pretty spectacular too....
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 27 Mar 2008
charapashanperu's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Huanuco, Peru, SA
Posts: 671
Peru, Huancayo to Ayacucho to Andahuaylas

The road from Huancayo (in the Peruvian Andes) to Ayacucho to Andahuaylas is rugged, yet awesome! Here are a few pics:






Toby (charapa) Around the Block 2007 |
__________________
http://www.aroundtheblockmotoadventures.com/
'We build the bike (in Peru) for your Epic Ride of South America.'
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Unmissable roads Central/South America? PeterL Route Planning 4 23 Mar 2011 03:10
Good paper maps for South america roads? eddiep Route Planning 6 8 Nov 2010 15:33
North america- south america- Africa- South Asia- Middle east- USSR- Northern Europe twinkle star Travellers Seeking Travellers 6 14 Aug 2009 02:29
Great Routes For South America cruthas Route Planning 0 7 Sep 2008 17:11
Best book on great roads in Europe? elefantman Europe 7 18 Jul 2003 23:37

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 15:02.