Chile Route 60
Route 60 | |
|---|---|
| Ruta 60 | |
| Location | |
| Country | Chile |
| Highway system | |
Chile Route 60 is a main road in the Valparaíso Region of Chile that extends from Valparaíso to Paso Los Libertadores. It continues into Argentina as National Route 7, toward Mendoza.[1]
The Route 60 is made up of two separate stretches of road. One goes from the port of Valparaíso to the junction with Chile Route 5 at La Calera. The other stretch extends from Route 5 at Llaillay to the border with Argentina. The actual border crossing is in the 3 km long Cristo Redentor tunnel.[1] The route roughly follows the course of the disused Transandine Railway[2] and the Aconcagua River.
The route is famous for "Los Caracoles," a series of 29 hairpin turns with a combined elevation gain of 525 meters.[3]
History
Before the construction of the road, the route was a trail used by merchants and travelers.[1] In 1910, the Transandine Railway became operational and quickly became the dominant form of transport between Chile and Argentina. Following a violent storm and flooding in 1934, the road, despite not being fully paved, became the only alternative for a decade. Even after the resumption of railway services in 1944, the road remained the preferred method of transportation.[4] In 1980, the Cristo Redentor tunnel that forms the border crossing was completed, making the trip significantly easier and safer.[1] The railway closed permanently in 1984, again making the road the only option along the route, although other border crossings had opened by then, such as the Paso Pehuenche.[4]
In February 2026, the route received a significant upgrade with the completion of a new 25 km section of highway between San Felipe and Panquehue. The construction, which includes 2 new bridges and 18 overpasses, took 19 years and cost 166 US dollars.[5]
Places along the route
References
- ^ a b c d Barraza, Lucas Soto (2024-07-15). "Cuesta Los Caracoles: el peligroso tramo de la ruta internacional que une a Chile y Argentina". Chicureo Hoy (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ Vicuña Mackenna, Benjamín (2011). A través de los Andes [Across the Andes] (PDF) (in Spanish). pp. xi.
- ^ Mancilla, Daniella (2023-07-27). "Los Caracoles: la impactante ruta de la Cordillera de los Andes con 29 curvas". El Rompehielos (in Spanish). Retrieved 2026-03-08.
- ^ a b Lacoste, Pablo (December 1997). "La ruta internacional de Mendoza a Chile por el paso "Los Libertadores" a través de La Prensa (1923-1961): aportes para el estudio de la integración binacional". Cuadernos de Historia (in Spanish). University of Chile. pp. 203–204.
- ^ "Ministro Undurraga inaugura último tramo de la ruta internacional 60 ch que une Valparaíso con Los Andes". Dirección General de Concesiones (in Spanish). 2026-02-22. Retrieved 2026-03-08.