Route suggestions Salta to El Calafate (Argentina)
 

I apologize for the double post. I only realized there was a section for route planning after I posted in the South America Regional section.

I'm in the beginning stages of planning a fairly long ride beginning in Bolivia This will be the furthest south I have been in Argentina. I plan to do it in January.

I will be on a Harley Davidson softail (street bike).

I don't mind a little dirt and gravel here and there, but my machine, of course, won't do what a dirt bike will.

Can anyone recommend route(s) between the two points considering both road conditions, fuel availability, and scenery/interesting landmarks? Any "must see" places on the route to suggest?

Many thanks in advance for any help!

the road is great, and fairly easy, google maps and thats it
I would suggest riding up to paso San Francisco and back, overnite in Cortaderas; most amazing views and perfect asphalt.
(any pass to Chile is amazing, just go up to the border and back and continue south)
For the rest, just press search ...

Thanks for the info Churchill. Much appreciated.

My understanding is there are two routes to El Calafate from the North:

Ruta 40 ... following the foothills of the Andes ... which has spectacular views, but which becomes unpaved just south of Mendoza. Im OK with some gravel, but not to crazy about the idea of the 2400 km to El Calafate on gravel on a Harley Softail . . . :) Still not completely discounting this possibility.

Ruta 3 ... following the east coast ... which is pretty desolate with not as much spectacular scenery ... but paved all the way (I think)

Is my information correct?

Thanks again.

You really must study the maps , google, the earth view is good enough.

90 % of route 40 is paved on way to el Calafate, and the gravel (ripio ) around the Cachi area (nice) is not bad.

Don't go down route 3, you could return on route 3 but I would suggest going slowly down the 40 and only returning on route 3 is you are short of time..or if you like penguins, whales (only till november, they swim off in summer) sea elephants, guanacos, ostiches, vultures and such.

its just that the 40 and surrounding roads are much nicer than the 3, which is windswept and quite monotonous.

you are correct, 3 is all paved

Thanks for that ... Ill try Google Earth. Maybe its better quality images for Argentina ... but I haven't had good luck being able to identify paved roads in Bolivia with it.

Thanks again.

From what Im seeing on Google Earth (the pictures people post along the way) it looks more like Ruta 40 is about 50% paved between Salta and El Calafate. The whole stretch from Jose de San Martin to Tres Lagos (about 900 km) appears to be all ripio, for example. Maybe the pictures Im seeing are old? Have the southern parts of Ruta 40 been paved recently?

yes, most of south is paved OR there is a paved alternative. route 25 is a nice alternative to change sides...

I think I see what youre suggesting now. Jump over to ruta 3 (via 25) to avoid the ripio after Jose de San Martin. That puts me on pavement nearly all the way
The jump over to ruta 3 via 26 seems a lot shorter, but looks like about 500 km of ripio ... that wouldn't be bad.

one reason I want pavement is that Im going in the rainy season. Do the ripio roads hold up well in the rain?

GR, there is NO ripio down to el calafate that you can't avoid. BUT the little there is ( eg close to LONDRES about 50kms) is easy; and the road is worth it.
At San Blas go to Tinogasta and on to paso San Francisco....and back, sleep at Cortaderas. (you'll thank me for that one)

Forget the ripio..and buy a map at the first news agent in argentina, eg Firestone; because the maps you are using must be really old or lacking detail




route 25 and 26 are across country roads to use if you happen to want to accros country. 25 is nice, 26 uglyish
best

gotcha. your advice and patience much appreciated!

Thanks for the info as I am doing the route on an even bigger bike, 2003 Victory TC. I can do dirt, but would rather not. It's getting hard to pick this thing up/

Don't pick it up....alone
wait for help, there will always be someone...
Take a six pack for while you are waiting

Here's what I gleaned from here: Tramos de la Ruta 40

ARGENTINA RUTA 40

•Tramo 1. Cabo Vírgenes a Río Gallegos PRINCIPALMENTE RIPIO
•Tramo 2. Río Gallegos a Río Turbio LARGOS SECTORES DE RIPIO
•Tramo 3. Río Turbio a Tres Lagos TOTALMENTE ASFALTADO
•Tramo 4. Tres Lagos a Perito Moreno LARGOS TRAMOS DE RIPIO Y TAMBIEN DE ASFALTO
•Tramo 5. Perito Moreno a Esquel 39 KM DE RIPIO AL SUR DE RIO MAYO LUEGO ASFALTADO HASTA ESQUEL
•Tramo 6. Esquel a Bariloche TOTALMENTE PAVIMENTADO
•Tramo 7. Bariloche a Zapala CASI TOTALMENTE ASFALTADO
•Nueva Traza Ruta de los Siete Lagos TOTALMENTE ASFALTADO
•Tramo 8. Zapala a Barrancas TOTALMENTE ASFALTADO
•Tramo 9. Barrancas hasta San Rafael CASI TOTALMENTE ASFALTADO
•Nueva Traza El Sosneado a Pareditas ??
•Tramo 10. Rafael a Mendoza TOTALMENTE ASFALTADO
•Tramo 11. Mendoza a Guandacol TOTALMENTE ASFALTADO
•Tramo 12. Guandacol a Alpasinche. TOTALMENTE PAVIMENTADO
•Tramo 13. Alpasinche a Santa María CASI TOTALMENTE PAVIMENTADO
•Tramo 14. Santa María a Cachi CASI TOTALMENTE DE RIPIO
•Tramo 15. Cachi a San Antonio de los Cobres CASI TOTALMENTE DE RIPIO
•Tramo 16. San Antonio de los Cobres a La Quiaca RIPIO MEJORADO

•Tramo 1. Cabo Vírgenes a Río Gallegos PRINCIPALMENTE RIPIO
•Tramo 2. Río Gallegos a Río Turbio LARGOS SECTORES DE RIPIO


Tramo 1 doesnt really go anywhere and is only for weirdos that must do the whole ruta 40 (me)
.Tramo 2 has an easy paved option
BOTH are beyond calafate, further south.

when you have to ride on ripio calculate that your speed will be less than half your normal (it takes a few Kms to get the hang of it)

Still in Costa Rica. Hoping to be in Colombia soon.
http://advrider.com/index.php?attach...02-jpg.418972/