Infiernillo Canyon is by no means an easy road
Located in the Huarochirí Province of the Department of Lima in Peru, the Infiernillo Canyon is an impressive geological formation carved by the turbulent waters of Rímac river.
Is the road through Infiernillo Canyon dangerous?
The road through the canyon is totally paved. It’s called Carretera Central del Peru, the busiest and most famous road of the country. The Central Highway is located in a mountainous terrain that has a large difference in height between Lima and La Oroya, which causes the highway to have an abrupt axis, with sharp curves and steep slopes, making its operating speed low. Low operating speeds mixed with a winding road axis cause many accidents because they are a source of reckless maneuvers by drivers in their eagerness to overtake the trucks that transit it. Approximately 100 deaths per year occur on this road; which means a death every three days, and accidents occur daily.
When was the road through Infiernillo Canyon built?
Carved out the rocks, the road opened to traffic in 1935, to connect Lima with La Oroya. Construction of the road took more than 10 years due the difficult terrain and cutting the rocks. This highway is part of the most important transversal axis of Peru but at the same time it is among the most dangerous in the country and is one of the most intermittent in its service, since it is constantly closed due to natural causes such as landslides and snowfall. In the rainy season between December and March, it is common for communication between Lima and the mountains to be interrupted for several weeks, due to the overflow of seasonal streams that during the rains carry mud and large stones, which destroy some parts of the highway. Large mining projects are located in the area, which are affected in their exports every time these events occur.
Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez