Mendoza to Cristo Redentor — Aconcagua HighAndes.
Distance
200 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
2,900 m
Mendoza to Cristo Redentor — Aconcagua High Andes.
A 200km climb from Mendoza's wine country to the 3,200m Argentina-Chile border at Las Cuevas, passing the highest peak in the Western Hemisphere. RN7 ascends through the Mendoza River canyon to the wide Uspallata Valley (Seven Years in Tibet was filmed here), then climbs past the eroded rock spires of Los Penitentes, the sulfur-stained natural arch of Puente del Inca, and the Aconcagua trailhead at 6,961m. Snow closes the high section May–October. Border permits required if continuing to Chile.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance200 km
Days1
Total climb2,900 m
DifficultyChallenging
Loading map...
The route.
Mendoza — Plaza IndependenciaStart · Start in Mendoza city (746m). Head west on RN7. Confirm the high pass is open — call gendarmería at Uspallata if unsure. Border papers if crossing.
Potrerillos ReservoirScenic Point · Turquoise reservoir framed by dry foothills. Coffee at the dam viewpoint. Last paved fuel before Uspallata.
UspallataRestaurant · Wide Andean valley at 1,891m. Filming location for Seven Years in Tibet. Lunch at Restaurante Cuyum then push for the high section.
Los PenitentesScenic Point · Eroded rock spires resembling hooded penitent monks line the ridge above the ski village. The valley narrows; the air thins.
Puente del IncaScenic Point · Natural rock arch over the Las Cuevas River, stained yellow-orange by mineral hot springs. The 19th-century thermal hotel ruins below the bridge are surreal.
Aconcagua Mirador (Horcones)Photo Spot · Trailhead viewpoint of the highest peak in the Americas (6,961m). Full panorama from RN7. Climbers spend weeks here acclimatising.
Las Cuevas — Cristo RedentorMountain Pass · Border village at 3,200m. The 7-tonne bronze Christ statue stands on the old summit road at 3,832m — open in summer only. Symbol of perpetual peace between Argentina and Chile.
Las Cuevas — Argentine Border PostEnd · End at the Argentine gendarmería. Cross via the Cristo Redentor tunnel into Chile or descend back to Uspallata for the night.
More routes in AR M
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS