Stretching 201 kilometers, National Route 60 in Catamarca is a vertical world ruled by the highest volcanoes on Earth. A paradise for mountaineers and trekking enthusiasts, where the wind and sun are constant companions in a sensory journey through nature at its purest. The stretch is known as “Land of the Six-Thousanders,” a slew of around nineteen mountain peaks all above 6,000 meters, their slopes dotted with lagoons where flamingos rest and vicuñas roam.
The circuit in northern Argentina is considered a stellar adventure for mountaineers, but planning is required. Visits to the route are available year-round, although October through April is generally recommended, as heavy rains between December and March can temporarily flood sections of the road. Interested parties have to make it from Buenos Aires to La Rioja or Catamarca, either via plane or bus.
Once there, the starting point is Fiambalá, an adobe town in Catamarca sitting at 1,500 meters above sea level. A well-serviced oasis Route 60 stretches westward from Fiambalá in a symphony of colors ranging from terracotta red to the dazzling white of permanent snowfields. The paved road climbs more than 3,200 meters over its 201 kilometers.
The drive takes between two and a half and three hours, although the wind often makes time feel irrelevant. Six basic emergency shelters are located along the route for protection during storms. Halfway along the route, at kilometer 100, stands Hostería Internacional Cortaderas, the last place offering services before the landscape turns truly remote.
At 3,300 meters above sea level, it is managed by 34-year-old Agustina Mazzeo, who has spent the last 13 years running this refuge. For travelers, she is far more than a hotel manager: she is a high-performance mountaineer who knows these volcanoes like the back of her hand. Hostería Cortaderas “We’re open 365 days a year,” she says.
“We welcome travelers, mountaineers, motorcyclists, anglers, tour groups, students, and mining workers. During climbing season, from November to March, we open a dedicated area for expeditions. Summer is actually our low season because of the storms, but it’s when the most climbers come.” What visitors rarely see is the logistical effort required to keep such an isolated place running.
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