Curvas de Huanchaca: 24 Switchbacks on a Narrow and Steep Road

Curvas de Huanchaca is the name of a series of 24 hairpin turns located on the boundary of Cusco and Apurimac regions, in Peru. The ideal time to travel is during daylight, and night driving is not advised. It’s one of the most hairpinned roads in the world, offering travelers a spectacular and vertigo-inducing drive.

Curvas de Huanchaca

Where are Curvas de Huanchaca?

Curvas de Huanchaca, also known as Curvas de Huallpachaca, is located in the southern highlands of Peru, within the Urubamba Valley, about 40km to the west of Cusco.

What's Curvas de Huanchaca?

Curvas de Huanchaca is a very challenging drive, featuring a series of 24 hairpin turns cut out of the rock. The one-car-wide road is called Route 3SF. It has been recently paved and is navigable by all passenger vehicles.

Is Curvas de Huanchaca difficult to drive?

The drive is very challenging, with 24 switchbacks on a narrow and steep road. It has no safety fences. If you're afraid of heights, it's probably best to keep your eyes forward because some sections of the road could be difficult to navigate due to some dangerous drop-offs.

Is Curvas de Huanchaca steep?

Set high in the Andes mountain range, this marvel of engineering is very steep, hitting a 17% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. The most challenging section is 12.5km (7.76 miles) long. It starts by crossing the Puente Huallpachaca over the Apurimac river, at 2,142m (7,027ft) above sea level, and ends at 2,901m (9,517ft) asl. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 759 meters. The average gradient is 6.07%.
Road suggested by: Teodor Cotnareanu
Pic: https://www.facebook.com/peru.im/photos/a.416458488389483.83449.416455271723138/1075539945814664/?type=3&theater

 

 


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