Driving the Punta Olimpica Old Road, mostly washed out

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.

Punta Olimpica old road

Set high in the Cordillera Blanca, the old road starts to the south of Punta Olimpica Pass. It is totally unpaved and mostly washed out. This old road tops out at 4.939m (16,204ft) above the sea level and features 21 hairpin turns. Although the old road is rugged and you risk breaking a wheel or slicing a tire, it’s highly recommended. If you are brave, you can ride it. If not, walk it in your cleats. It’s flagged as a high risk of avalanche zone.

The road is 5.9km (3.66 miles) long and was bypassed by the infamous Punta Olimpica tunnel, one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world, in 2013. Due to the construction of the new tunnel, the old road is no longer maintained with plenty of fallen boulders sitting in the middle of the path and the road subsiding in places. No one knows what will remain of this in a few years. It has unbelievable cliff views. Expect extreme weather: cold, wind and fog are common.
Pic: Arroz Marisco

 

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