Driving the most spectacular roads of Peru

In the embrace of the Andes, Peru unfolds a rich tapestry of roads that beckon travelers with stories steeped in ancient wonders and natural grandeur. The Interoceanic Highway acts as a bridge, linking the humid mysteries of the Amazon with the stark allure of the Pacific coast. On the Curvas de Huanchaca, 24 switchbacks tease and challenge, demanding attention and respect on a narrow, precipitous path.

Ascend to the dizzying heights of the Anticona Pass, where the cold Andean winds whisper tales of times gone by. Cañón del Pato, "Duck Canyon", presents not just jaw-dropping beauty but also the thrill of a road demanding skill and courage. And if that wasn't enough, the route to Punta Olimpica in the heart of the Andes is nothing short of awe-inspiring, a testament to nature's grand canvas.

Yet, amid these towering giants, the Nazca desert stretches out, a canvas of ancient art with the Panamericana Sur as your viewing gallery, allowing you to ponder the mysteries etched into the very earth. In Peru, roads aren't mere pathways but a bridge across time, a blend of tradition, tenacity, and topography. So, gear up and let the Peruvian landscapes regale you with tales where every turn holds a new story, a new vista, and an age-old charm

Ubicado en la parte oeste del continente sudamericano, Perú se extiende por cerca de 1,500 mi (2,414 km) a lo largo del Océano Pacífico. Cubiertas de nieves e imponentes, las montañas más altas del país se sitúan en los Andes, alcanzando alturas por encima de los 6.000 metros.

Located in the region of Cajamarca, in northern Peru, the road from Balzas towards Celendín tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. Hair raising stuff. There is absolutely no room for mistakes.

Mina Acumulación Mariela is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 5.298m (17,381ft) above the sea level, located in the Mariscal Nieto Province, in the Moquegua Region of Peru. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Carretera Celendín-Yerbabuena is a very scary winding mountain road located in the region of Cajamarca, in northern Peru. Hair raising stuff! There is absolutely no room for mistakes.

Located in the region of Ancash of Peru, Punta Olimpica Tunnel is one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world, at an elevation of 4.735m (15,535ft) above the sea level.

Carretera Púsac-Uchumarca is a high mountain road located in the Bolívar Province of Peru. This road tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides.

Lago Junín is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.082m (13,392ft) above the sea level, located in the Junin Region, in Peru.

Abra Chonta is a high mountain pass located in the central Peruvian department of Huancavelica, at an elevation of 4.875m (15,994ft) above the sea level.

Cañon del Rio Mantaro is located in the central region of Peru. The road through the canyon is extreme. Words can’t describe the road and pictures don’t do it justice.

Abra Culipampa is a high mountain pass located in Peru in Departamento de Arequipa, at an elevation of 4.834m (15,859ft) above the sea level. 

Cañon de Cotahuasi is the name of a very challenging canyon located in the Department of Arequipa, in the Province of La Union of Peru. It’s said to be the deepest canyon in the Americas.

Located within the Bahuaja Sonene National Park in the province Sandia in Peru, Puente del Rio Inambari is a short wooden bridge located near the Bolivian border over the Inambari River. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in the northern Amazon region of Peru, the road between Iquitos and Nauta is an anomalous 75 kilometer stretch of road. Iquitos, encircled by rivers and rainforest, is the largest city with no roads connecting to the outside world. 

Chiquián is a high mountain town at an elevation of 3.410m (11,187ft) above the sea level located in central Peru. It is the capital of the Bolognesi Province in the Ancash Region.

Laguna Paron is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.200m (13,779ft) above the sea level, located in the Peruvian Andes.

Abra Yanama is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.654m (15,269ft) above the sea level, located in the Cusco Region in Peru.

Carretera Cincha-Huanca is a high mountain road located in the Andes of Peru, in the Caylloma Province, running entirely over the 2.500m above the sea level.

Laguna de Patón is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.150m (13,615ft) above the sea level located in the province of Oyón in the Department of Lima, in Central Peru.

Acantilados de Ocoña (Ocoña Cliffs) is a very scenic and dangerous cliff drive over the Pacific Ocean on the boundary of Caravelí and Camaná provinces in Peru.

Crucero Alto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.528m (14,855ft) above the sea level, located in the Puno department, in southeastern Peru.

Abra Pirhuayani is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.725m (15,501 ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Quispicanchi Province. The pass is higher than any mountain in the lower 48 states of the US.

Carretera 663 is one of the scariest roads in the world. Located near the Llata town, in Huanuco region of Peru, the road is only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places bordered by a drop of 300 meters unprotected by guardrails. It’s one of the most hairpinned roads in the world.

Abra Arcata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.101m (16,735ft) above the sea level, located in the Arequipa region, in southwestern Peru. The road to the summit crosses a section inside a mine. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Peru.

Laguna Llaca is an alpine lake with turquoise-green waters at an elevation of 4.467m (14,655 9ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huaraz, in the Ancash region of Peru.

Located on the eastern-central region of Ancash, in Peru, the Punta Olimpica Old Road is a scary experience running near the abyss. Rock falls have blocked this road and it’s no longer passable in a car but is okay on a bike.

Pastoruri glacier is a cirque glacier at an elevation of 4.955m (16,256ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes mountain range, in Northern Peru in the Ancash region.

Abra Huacullo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.002m (16,410ft) above the sea level, located in the Apurímac region of Peru. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Peru.

Abra Loncopata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.100m (16,732ft) above the sea level, located in Arequipa region in southwestern Peru. The road features 20% gradient sections. It's one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Abra Antajirca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.783m (15,692ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Lima and Pasco regions, in Peru.

Tipon Inca ruins are located in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range.

Mina Santa Rosa is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 5.133m (16,840ft) above the sea level, located in the Puno Region, Puno Province, in the south of the Acora District, in Peru. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Located in northwestern Peru, the Tablachaca bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The bridge is 36m long.

Abra de Acjanaco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.502m (11,489ft) above the sea level, located in the province Paucartambo of Peru.

Abra Viraco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.940m (16,207ft) above the sea level, located in the Viraco District, one of fourteen districts of the province Castilla in Peru.

Abra Apacheta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.762m (15,623ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Huancavelica and Ayacucho regions of Peru.