From Los Andes to Cristo Redentor, on the border between Chile and Argentina (12,559 ft / 3,828 m), it’s 46.5 miles (74.9 km) of climbing and 10,030 ft (3,057 m) of elevation gain, at an average of 4.1%. It’s the great Andes crossing between Santiago and Mendoza, and it has one of the most photographed stretches of road on the continent: Los Caracoles, 29 hairpins stacked on the mountainside below Portillo.
What the climb is like
- Los Andes to Río Blanco (about 17.4 miles / 28 km). The Aconcagua River valley, with a gentle grade and the heaviest traffic on the climb.
- Río Blanco to Portillo. Route 60 climbs at a moderate grade, through avalanche sheds, up to Los Caracoles: 29 switchbacks on a rock wall. Pedal North mentions kicks of 14%; PJAMM, on the other hand, says the pavement averages under 6%. At the top is the Portillo ski resort, at about 9,449 ft (2,880 m), next to Laguna del Inca.
- Portillo to the customs post. A bit more pavement, sometimes potholed, up to the border complex.
- The gravel finish (about 5 miles / 8 km). Cyclists can’t use the Cristo Redentor tunnel: about 656 ft (200 m) before the entrance, on the south side, the old unpaved road branches off and climbs through more than 50 tight switchbacks, with stretches over 12%, up to the statue.
Climbfinder gives 46.5 miles (74.9 km) and 10,030 ft (3,057 m) of climbing from Los Andes, with the top at 12,559 ft (3,828 m). PJAMM starts from Río Blanco, at about 4,593 ft (1,400 m), and gives 29 miles (46.7 km) at 5.4% and 8,481 ft (2,585 m) of climbing to 12,562 ft (3,829 m): the two sets of figures fit together.
History
The Christ the Redeemer of the Andes, a 23 ft (7 m) bronze statue, was unveiled in 1904 to celebrate peace between Chile and Argentina after their border dispute. The road up to it was the main crossing between the two countries until the tunnel opened in 1980, about 1,969 ft (600 m) lower.
When to go, weather, water and traffic
The old road to the statue is only open in summer, when there’s no snow: go from December to March (the Southern Hemisphere summer). In winter the pass often closes for storms. At the top the wind can be very strong and the cold intense, even in summer; at 12,500 ft (3,800 m) there’s about 35% less oxygen than at sea level.
Route 60 is the main road between Santiago and Mendoza, with a constant flow of trucks, especially near Los Andes; above Río Blanco traffic eases, and on the gravel finish it almost disappears. Pedal North warns that there’s nowhere to refill your bottles: load up in Los Andes or Río Blanco.
What gearing to use
On the pavement a 34x28 is enough, but the gravel finish, above 11,500 ft (3,500 m), calls for a 34x32 or easier and tires of 30 mm or wider. Check your combinations in the gear calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to climb Paso Los Libertadores?
From Los Andes, a 159 lb (72 kg) rider on a 21 lb (9.5 kg) bike takes about 4 h 04 min at 3 W/kg (216 W), 4 h 43 min at 2.5 W/kg and 3 h 15 min at 4 W/kg, not counting the gravel finish and the power you lose at altitude. Work out your own time in the calculator on this page.
Can you ride a bike through the Cristo Redentor tunnel?
No: bikes are banned from the tunnel. You have to climb the old gravel road, which leaves about 656 ft (200 m) before the tunnel entrance and goes up to Cristo Redentor, at 12,559 ft (3,828 m).
How many switchbacks does Los Caracoles have?
29 hairpins stacked on one mountainside, shortly before Portillo. It's the most famous part of the climb, although the average grade on the pavement stays moderate.