
A wild road to Laguna Uchucchacua in the Andes
Peru, south-america
43.5 km
4,390 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Laguna Uchucchacua! This hidden gem sits way up in the Peruvian Andes, in the province of Oyón – we're talking a staggering 14,402 feet (4,390m) above sea level.
The road to get there? It's a 27-mile (43.5 km) unpaved stretch of pure, rugged beauty, known as LM-18. Think of it as a scenic rollercoaster that winds its way from Oyón eastward, eventually linking up with the PA-100.
Fair warning: This isn't a Sunday drive. Expect countless twists and turns as you climb higher and higher. And remember, you're in serious mountain territory, so the air gets pretty thin. But trust me, the views are SO worth it!
Where is it?
A wild road to Laguna Uchucchacua in the Andes is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -10.7129, -74.7019
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 43.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,390 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -10.7129, -74.7019
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