Cuesta de Lipan
Cuesta de Lipan
5
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5.0
392 reviews
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312
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77
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4
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2BISCUITS
Sydney, Australia391 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
We used Uma Travel in Salta for our long but very well worth day out. We were picked up at 7.30am in a 4 wheel drive with an excellent driver called Gonzales (Turk) and followed the track used by the Train to the Clouds which at the time of our visit was not running. This road lead us along a valley under one of the train viaducts and through a very stark but fascinating valley where cacti were prolific. On through Tastil where each year there is an ostrich festival and there are some ruins which we did not have time to see. Lunch was taken at a small cafe in San Antonio de la Cobres. A lot of the road during our trip was unsealed and uneven but our driver was excellent and we stopped to take photos of wild donkeys, llamas, ostriches and deer. On to Salinas Grandes, the enormous salt flats 32kms long and 9kms wide - this was well worth a visit but make sure you have sunglasses as it is very glarey. We drove on and the road climbed to the Abra de Potrerillos pass at a height of 4,170 metres. We stopped again at the top of the Unesco listed valley, the Cuesta de Lipan gorge which was just so vast and amazing and looking down we marvelled at the winding road of over 30 bends and hairpins and the incredible engineering feat to build it. We were not long at that altitude before we began the steep descent and we were glad of an experienced driver. It took 32kms for the road to descend 2,000 metres and we finally reached Purmamarca a small town notable for being in the midst of many coloured rocks - a bit like an artist's palate. Then it was back to Salta at 8.30pm having driven 520kms.
It was a long day but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
It was a long day but we thoroughly enjoyed it.
Written 13 June 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juanito_Hayburg
El Paso, TX3,713 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Nearly two months ago, Tour Connections Lagunas de AtacamaCHILE guide NADIA alerted me to the third (Salar de UyuniBolivia & AtacamaCHILE are the other two) great salt basin Salinas GrandeARGENTINA, which became an obvious completion factor for my bucket list during my Tierra del Fuego odyssey, 14JAN-07APR2020. Overnighting at the fabulous La Reliquia in perfect PurmamarcaARGENTINA was essential to enjoying/learning about this critical climate. At the corner of Libertad & Rivadavia is where I submitted my name to the collectivo organizer, where I obtained a great seat (as a slightly mobility disabled person) for a perfect view of the winding switchback-filled route. We had a short break at an excellent viewpoint. I am SO GLAD this was exceptionally well-organized, the driver so skilled, and AMS didn’t affect me too much! It certainly gets my hearty “iWheel of Approval!” I encourage EVERYBODY to leave the driving to them so you can enjoy this amazing road as you visit the superb Salinas Grande-Purmamarca connection!
Written 6 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RoxLima
Lima, Peru531 contributions
Oct 2019 • Solo
You will have to pass through this, it is a zigzag route that goes to the top of the mountain and later down. Be careful with the altitude if you are planning to drive. I took a car from the town that drove me to the Salinas and bring me back.
Written 20 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Maree R
Christchurch, New Zealand1,220 contributions
Sept 2019
This is so stunning, I enjoyed this route to the salt flats more than the flats themselves. It is a decent climb with plenty of switchbacks and we did see a large overturned truck on a bend. There are a couple of great lookouts so do stop and admire the scenery.
Written 13 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jupiter81
Rome, Italy510 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Going to the Great Salt place you pass this. Beautiful views and attractive landscape. Take care of the high altitude and enjoy it.
Written 9 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OneAddictedTraveler
Lake Elmo, MN4,123 contributions
Jan 2019 • Couples
This magnificent drive rises in hairpin turns to 4179 feet at the pass. The views are outstanding. The colorful rocks and the twisted layers tell the story of the past eras.
Beware of very heavy truck traffic headed for Paraguay and Chile.
Beware of very heavy truck traffic headed for Paraguay and Chile.
Written 5 February 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joopb
Leidschendam, The Netherlands819 contributions
Dec 2018 • Friends
Again, hire a car and drive to zlas Salinas Grandes and visit all those beautifill gems that you will pass.
Written 25 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
NGPAT
Inverness, UK169 contributions
Dec 2018 • Couples
From a drivers point of view (my wife was driving), rent a bigger car than a Citroen C3 with a small engine to better cope with the long, steep inclines and hairpin bends. We still managed it in a small car though, but you will find you have to overtake very slow lorries as you ascend, so some extra power would make the trip less frantic and nail-biting. Great sense of achievement at the top, and we then had the delight of coming back down that same road later that day. Don't miss it though!
Written 22 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
GillesFlores
Cafayate, Argentina121 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
Starting from Purmamarca at 2,423 metres (7,625ft) above sea level all the way to the top in Abra de Potrerillos at 4170 metres (13681,1ft), the ruta national 52 will take you through 17km (11 miles) of amazing steep zigzag and incredible sceneries.
This 52 carries on to Salinas Grande de Jujuy, and the border with Chile at the Paso de Jama.
A must for bikers just for the ride up and down!!!!!
Gilles
This 52 carries on to Salinas Grande de Jujuy, and the border with Chile at the Paso de Jama.
A must for bikers just for the ride up and down!!!!!
Gilles
Written 19 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Greg M
Oldham, UK37 contributions
Jun 2017 • Solo
I cycled this road as part of my journey from Buenos Aires to Lima and it was definitely one of the highlights! Never ending climbs and hairpins with some of the most majestic scenery you can imagine! Highly recommended, tops out at around 4100m, if you continue onwards you will arrive at Salar Grande, a huge salt lake. Superb!
Written 22 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Enrique G
Province of Corrientes, Argentina
hola, quisiera saber sobre el estado de la ruta 52 desde purmamarca a Susques y en particular sobre la cuesta de Lipan y si ofrece mucha dificultad el camino. Gracias
Written 21 April 2022
El camino es hermosisimo, sigzagueante, está mantenido. Es imperdible. Tengo claro que es buen camino hasta salinas. Buen viaje!
Written 23 April 2022
Hola, Nahuel:
Te consulto, ya que escribiste sobre un tema que es el que estoy averiguando.
Voy en un Onix motor 1.4 pero cargado, cinco personas. ¿Cómo lo ves para la cuesta de Lipán?
Queda abierta la pregunta para todos los que me puedan dar una mano con esta duda.
¡Muchas gracias!
Written 29 November 2021
Si la camioneta funciona bien no creo que tengas problemas, está prácticamente toda asfaltada, salvo tramos muy pequeños
Written 30 July 2019
Hola! Alguien hizo esta ruta hermosa en invierno? Hay alguna recomendación especial para ir manejando en auto?
Written 18 June 2019
El camino es hermoso. Lleno de colores increíbles., cerros, curvas. La recomendacion es que lo hagas con paciencia, disfrutando el paisaje y sin apuros. Tené en cuenta que es todo es subida y el punto más alto está a 4700 metros (ahí tenes un monolito con la altura del lugar y un hermoso mirador para sacar fotos). Muchos autos se apunan por la altura, igual que nosotros. Lo mejor es ir despacio. Que lo disfrutes. Saludos
Written 22 June 2019
Hola. La ruta es MUY complicada?? o yendo despacio y con cuidado se va bien??
Written 21 February 2019
Cuánto se tarda en hacer el ascenso en bici hasta la cuesta del lipan y el monolito?
Written 18 May 2018
Quisiera saber si el camino entre Purmamarca Y Las salinas grandes se puede hacer con un auto alquilado o el acceso a las salinas es complejo y es mejor hacerlo con una excursión.
Written 23 February 2018
El camino a las salinas si bien es sinuoso es asfaltado y su estado excelente. Se puede hacer perfectamente con auto alquilado
Written 21 March 2018
Hola, fuiste desde Purmamarca hacia salinas como paseo?o en auto propio??me han comentado que hay taxis o autos en la plaza que realiza ésa excursione, alguien tiene más inforamción al respecto??muchas gracias
Written 20 August 2016
Salinas Grandes desde Purmamarca ,es un paseo imperdible que vale la pena . Es una ruta de asfalto ancha y en muy buen estado . El camino no ofrece mas dificultad que la atención en la conducción de montaña y en vehículo estandard en buen estado , sea personal o alquilado. En el punto mas alto de esta carretera a 4.170 mts. paraje denominado Cuesta del Águila en el Abra de Potrerillos de la Cuesta de Lipán Ruta 52, que desemboca en las Salinas camino al Paso de Jama hacia Chile. He presenciado el rescate y auxilio de un camión tanque de gas Propano volcado cerca del precipicio y en una curva cerrada (dicen que hay 300 curvas). Otro camión tanque pudo transvasar y extraer la peligrosa carga de gas. Pese a este incidente no hubo obstrucción al paso de nuestra camioneta. El Salar es una inmensa planicie blanca y fantasmagórica de la Puna . Es como caminar por el techo de América . El cielo si no está nublado es profundamente azul y si hay nubes están muy cerca. Hay que llevar anteojos oscuros de sol por la cegadora radiación. Es un lugar fantástico para sacar fotografías y filmaciones de aficionados. Se ofrecen ventas accesibles de recuerdos y artesanías talladas en piedras de la zona. En purmamarca se pueden contratar vehiculos o remises particulares para realizar la excursión en unas tres a cuatro horas con tranquilidad.
Written 30 April 2018
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