What are the most spectacular roads in Peru?
Located in the heart of the Andes, in the western part of South America, Peru is very challenging for drivers due to its geography that comprises the coast, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon Rainforest. With such topography, it has more than 230 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world.
When traveling to the country, you can’t miss Curvas de Huanchaca, a series of 24 hairpin turns located on the boundary between Cusco and Apurimac. It’s one of the most hairpinned roads in the world, offering travelers a spectacular, vertigo-inducing drive. Or the harrowing paved road to Anticona Pass in the Andes, at an elevation of 4,824m (15,826ft) above sea level. The pass is often incorrectly said to be the highest paved road in South America.
If you want to try scary drives, don’t forget the Pasamayo Serpentine, a lethal coastal road known for fatal traffic accidents. The road has no safety fences, and one mishap, and you plunge off the cliff and into the sea. Or Pato Canyon Road, a path hewn out of sheer rock, located in the Ancash Region. And if you’re up for paved mountain roads, don’t miss the awe-inspiring drive to Punta Olímpica in the Andes, climbing up to 4,732m (15,525ft) above sea level. It's one of the highest paved roads in the country.
Cocachacra-Santiago de Tuna Road
Located in the province Huarochirí in Peru, Carretera Cocachacra-Santiago de Tuna road is one of the most demanding roads of the country. Drivers must remain cautious as the road has been known to claim the lives of careless drivers. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs.
Laguna Tototral
Laguna Tototral is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.342m (14,245ft) above the sea level located in the province of Yauyos in Peru.
Laguna Huascachoca
Laguna Huascachoca is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.485m (14,714ft) above the sea level, located in the Lima Region, in western Peru.
Paso Cacanapunta
The Cacanapunta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.162m (13,654ft) above the sea level, located in the in the Ancash Region of Peru.
Laguna Puywanqucha
Laguna Puywanqucha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.685m (15,370ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Lauricocha Province, Cauri District.
Road LI-117
Located in the Lima Region of Peru, Carretera LI-117 is a high mountain road with hairpin turns and dangerous dropoffs.
Abra Jahuaycate: The Ultimate Road Trip Guide
Abra Jahuaycate is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.065m (11,003ft) above the sea level, located in Pitumarca District of the province Canchis in Peru. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Chucusvalle Bridge
Located on the border of La Libertad and Ancash regions in northwestern Peru, Puente Chucusvalle is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.
Pacoorcco Pass
Paso Pacoorcco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.758m (15,610ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Moquegua Region, General Sánchez Cerro Province, Ubinas District.
Wamp'una
Wamp'una is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.843m (15,889ft) above the sea level, located in Lima Province in Peru.
Corihuarmi Mine
Mina Corihuarmi is an open-pit gold mine at an elevation of 4.883m (16,020ft) above the sea level, located in Junín, a region in the central highlands and westernmost Peruvian Amazon.
Laguna Cochachuyo
Laguna Cochachuyo is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.324m (14,186ft) above the sea level located in the province of Pasco in Peru. The road is very rough--only try driving it in a 2wd car, if you're planning to buy a new car.
The Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Chimboya Pass
Abra Chimboya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.114m (16,778ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between the regions of Cusco and Puno, in Peru. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Laguna Tarusmachay
Laguna Tarusmachay is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.443m (14,576ft) above the sea level, located in Central Peru, in the province Junín in the region Junín.
Laguna Oshgomachay
Laguna Oshgomachay is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.430m (14,534ft) above the sea level, located in Central Peru, in the province Junín in the region Junín.
Sumbilca-Pacaybamba Road
Located in the province Huaral in Peru, Carretera Sumbilca-Pacaybamba is one of the most extreme roads of the country. Drivers must remain cautious as the journey has been known to claim the lives of careless drivers. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs.
Hatun K'irawniyuq
Hatun K'irawniyuq is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.407m (14,458ft) above the sea level, located in the Arequipa Region in the Andes of Peru.
Don Mario Pass
Paso Don Mario is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.739m (15,547ft) above the sea level, located in the Junín region, in central Peru.
Chicrin-Cerro de Pasco Road
Carretera Chicrin-Cerro de Pasco is a high mountain road located in the Pasco region, in central Peru. The road runs entirely over 3.500m above the sea level.
Wiswillani Pass
Paso Wiswillani is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.807m (15,771ft) above the sea level, located in the Arequipa Region of Peru.
Laguna Pumacocha: this road is not for timid drivers
Laguna Pumacocha is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.370m (14,337ft) above the sea level, located in the Yauyos Province, in the Lima Region of Peru.
Huachococha Pass
Paso Huachococha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.366m (14,324ft) above the sea level, located in the region Ancash, in central Peru.
Alto de Tapacocha
Alto de Tapacocha is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.732m (15,524ft) above the sea level, located in the province Recuay in Peru.
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Abra de Lares in Cusco
Abra de Lares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.443m (14,576ft) above the sea level, located in Calca Province of Cusco Region of Peru.
A Complete Travel Plan for Peru
Peru is one of the most popular places for tourism. Wherever you travel, having an itinerary planned for your trip is essential- Read this article to know more.
Abra Tucuccasa
Abra Tucuccasa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.496m (14,750ft) above the sea level, located in the region Ayacucho of Peru.
Abra Sotacocha
Abra Sotacocha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.261m (13,979ft) above the sea level, located in Ayacucho region, in south-central Peru.
Road trip guide: Conquering Nevado Huayracancha
Nevado Huayracancha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.045m (16,551ft) above the sea level, located on the border between Lima and Junin regions of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
An epic road to Abra Ares in the Andes
Abra Ares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.018m (16,463ft) above the sea level, located in the region of Arequipa, in Southern Peru. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.
Laguna Jochauma
Laguna Jochauma is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.947m (16,230ft) above sea level, located in the Arequipa Region, Castilla Province, Orcopampa District of Peru.
Abra Tiabaya
Abra Tiabaya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 2.747m (9,012ft) above the sea level, located in Peru’s Arequipa Region.
Abra Livini-Tarata
Abra Livini-Tarata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.803m (15,757ft) above the sea level, located in the Tacna Region in southern Peru.
Abra de Rumualdo
Abra de Rumualdo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.434m (11,266ft) above the sea level, located in the Caylloma Province of Peru.
Road LM-119
Carretera LM-119 is one of the scariest roads in the world. It’s located in Santo Domingo de los Olleros District, province Huarochirí in Peru.
Road PA-100
Carretera PA-100 is a high mountain road located in the Pasco region, in central Peru. The road runs entirely over 4.000m above the sea level.
Laguna Ashcajocha
Laguna Ashcajocha is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.383m (14,379ft) above the sea level, located in the region Ayacucho of Peru.