
A memorable road trip to Abra Apacheta
Peru, south-america
71.7 km
4,762 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright adventure-seekers, buckle up for Abra Apacheta! This legendary mountain pass straddles the Huancavelica and Ayacucho regions of Peru, reaching a staggering 4,762m (15,623ft) above sea level.
The entire route, known as 28A, is paved, making it accessible, but don't let that fool you! The wind whips fiercely at these altitudes year-round, so hold onto your hats. This east-west traverse stretches for 71.7 km (44.55 miles), connecting Corralpata and Totorilla.
Be warned, heavy mist can roll in, turning visibility into a real challenge. If you're sensitive to altitude or have respiratory or heart issues, maybe skip this one. Altitude sickness is a genuine concern, and the conditions can make the trip tough. That being said, the views are absolutely breathtaking! Prepare to be mesmerized by Hatun Urqu and Chiqllarasu peaks dominating the landscape. It's a visual feast you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
A memorable road trip to Abra Apacheta is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.7461, -73.1993
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 71.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,762 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -9.7461, -73.1993
Related Roads in south-america
moderateWhere is Cerro Sanabria?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just discovered this insane mountain pass called Cerro Sanabria in the Bolivian Andes, and you HAVE to hear about it. Picture this: you're deep in the Sur LÃpez Province, practically in the middle of nowhere in southwest Bolivia, inside the Eduardo Abaroa Andean Fauna National Reserve. The road? Forget pavement – we're talking pure, unadulterated dirt track all the way up this beast. It's called Camino al Sol de la Mañana, and "road" is used loosely. Seriously, 4x4 ONLY. This ain't your Sunday drive. You're climbing to a staggering 4,844m (that's 15,892ft!), so the air is THIN. The views though? Worth every gasp. The Camino al Sol de la Mañana stretches for about 48.6 km (30.19 miles), and it's basically one long, lung-busting climb. You'll be above 4,100m the whole time. It runs from the stunning Laguna Colorada to the tiny town of Quetena Chico.
extremeCuesta de Zapata
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Cuesta de Zapata, a wild ride through the Belén department of Catamarca Province, Argentina! This old section of Ruta 40 climbs to a dizzying 1,907m (6,256ft) and is not for the faint of heart. Seriously, this road has a reputation. It's a shortcut from Tinogasta to Route 40 (saving about 40km), but it's been bypassed by the new RN40 for a reason. While technically closed to motor vehicles, locals still brave it. Picture this: a super narrow gravel and rock road clinging to the mountainside with insane drop-offs – we're talking potentially thousands of feet straight down. No guardrails, loose rocks, and the constant threat of landslides when it's wet. You'll need serious driving skills, patience, and a good handle on your fear of heights. Keep in mind it is very intense because there is little room for error if oncoming traffic swerves in your direction. The scenery, if you dare to glance, is absolutely stunning, but keep your eyes on the road!
moderateWhere is Punta Olimpica Tunnel?
🇵🇪 Peru
Nestled high in the Peruvian Andes, in the Ancash region, lies the incredible Punta Olimpica Tunnel! At a staggering 4,735m (15,535ft) above sea level, it’s one of the highest tunnels you'll ever drive through. Where exactly is this beauty? You'll find it snuggled in the Cordillera Blanca range, on the road connecting Acochaca to Carhuaz, linking the Callejón de Huaylas and Conchucos valleys. This fully paved tunnel, part of Ruta departamental AN-107, stretches 1,384 meters (0.860 miles) long, is 7.20 meters wide, and stands tall at 6.5 meters. Though generally open year-round, keep an eye out for occasional snow closures. Oh, and the name? It's a nod to Peru's epic football victory at the 1936 Berlin Olympics! Completed in 2013 after a pretty quick construction period, this tunnel isn’t just a marvel of engineering, it’s a HUGE time saver! It bypasses the old Punta Olimpica Road, which has fallen into disrepair, complete with boulder obstructions and subsidence. The tunnel cut the 80 km journey time from a whopping 9 hours to a much more manageable 2.5 hours! For a while, it was the highest tunnel in the world and remains the highest in South America. Get ready for some seriously breathtaking views on either side of the tunnel, too!
hardPaso Cacanapunta
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle a beast of a pass in Peru? I'm talking about Cacanapunta Pass, chilling way up high in the Ancash Region at a staggering 13,654 feet! This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and a whole lotta shaking. Winter? Forget about it – impassable. This one's for the seasoned off-roaders. If you're not comfy on unpaved mountain roads, maybe grab a postcard instead. But hold on, because the reward is HUGE! Picture this: insane, wide-open views of the wild Huayhuash mountains. Seriously breathtaking. 4x4 highly recommended, and if heights aren't your thing, maybe skip this one too. It's STEEP. And when it's wet? Muddy mayhem! Heads up: you're climbing high, so take it easy. The air gets thin, and you'll feel it. Most people start feeling the altitude around 8,200-9,200 feet, and up here near the top, oxygen is scarce. But you know what? It's SO worth it. You'll be straddling the South American Continental Divide, with views of snow-capped peaks like Ninashancaa and Rondoy, plus the stunning Pucacocha Lake. Unforgettable!