Abra Suijo-Laguna Suyoc
Peru, south-america
N/A
4,706 m
extreme
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra Suijo (aka Abra Suyoc), a lung-busting pass that tops out at a dizzying 15,439 feet in central Peru. You'll find it by taking Carretera 120.
Now, the road itself is…an experience. It's generally maintained, so a high-clearance 2WD *might* make it in dry conditions, but honestly, a 4x4 is your best bet. Expect river crossings and a seriously steep climb that will have your engine screaming.
Don't let that scare you off, though! This is raw, remote Peru at its finest. As you ascend, you'll be rewarded with mind-blowing views of snow-capped peaks to the east, and near the summit, a string of shimmering lakes appear like mirages.
Word of warning: Mother Nature calls the shots here. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real possibilities. Patches of ice can appear out of nowhere. Oh, and that altitude? Brutal! Most people start feeling the effects around 8,000-9,000 feet. The air gets thin, the climb is relentless, and your body will be begging for mercy. But hey, that's part of the adventure, right?
Where is it?
Abra Suijo-Laguna Suyoc is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.7445, -74.6686
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,706 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -9.7445, -74.6686
Related Roads in south-america
hardHow to get by car to Abra Condorillo?
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a spot for you in Peru that'll blow your mind: Abra Condorillo! This high mountain pass sits way up high in the Arequipa region, clocking in at a staggering 4,993m (16,381ft) above sea level. You'll find it chilling north of Abra Arcata in the Condesuyos province, nestled within the Cotahuasi Subbasin Landscape Reserve. The whole area is pretty remote. The road itself? It's a 57km (35 miles) unpaved gem called AR-611, starting near Arcata. Think dramatic, multi-colored hills and a serious sense of isolation. Heads up, though: once you pass the Arcata gold and silver mine (around 4,700m), there's a seriously steep kilometer stretch, and you'll encounter some sandy sections and hairpin turns that demand your full attention. You even drive through a working mine at one point! But hang in there, because the climb to the summit gets gentler, and the views…oh, the views! They are absolutely epic, and the descent into the valley on the other side? Pure magic.
hardA memorable road trip to Abra Laguna Morijon
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Laguna Morijon! This Bolivian beauty sits way up high in the Sur Lípez Province, clocking in at a staggering 4,901 meters (that's 16,079 feet for you metric-phobes!). It's nestled in the Potosi Department, in Bolivia's southwest corner, and ranks among the country's highest roads. Let's be real, the road is rough. We're talking totally unpaved, with a surface that's seen better days. Expect narrow squeezes, hairpin turns galore, and some seriously steep climbs that will test your vehicle (and your nerves!). The whole shebang stretches for about 86 km (or 53 miles) running roughly north-south, linking San Antonio de Lípez to Quetena Chico. The scenery will absolutely blow your mind. Just take it slow and steady!
hardWhere does Road 34H lead?
🇵🇪 Peru
Way up in the Sandia Province of Peru's Puno Region, you'll find one wild ride on the road from Quiscupunco to Sandia. Think of it as a real-life roller coaster through the Andes! This high-mountain pass stretches from Quiscupunco to the town of Sandia, and it's not for the faint of heart. You'll be conquering the legendary Abra Sandia pass and catching glimpses of the stunning Laguna Saytococha. Heads up: this route heads south-to-north, diving from the high Altiplano into those deep, humid Amazon valleys. The trickiest part? Definitely between the Abra Sandia summit (also called Abra Apacheta) and Laguna Saytococha. This is serious frontier territory near Bolivia, with crazy vertical drops, skinny canyons, and rivers that love to wash out the road. Okay, so some of this road is paved, but don't get too excited. That pavement is narrow and beat-up, winding through a barren landscape where the mountainside looks ready to slide onto you at any moment. Flash floods, avalanches, and landslides are common, so expect plenty of stretches of raw gravel and mud, totally out of the blue. And get this – the road is super narrow. If you meet a truck on a blind turn, someone's backing up for miles along a cliff edge. High-clearance vehicles are a must, and driving in the wet or dark? Forget about it. The biggest danger is, well, the insane drop-offs. The road hugs the edge of massive slopes without guardrails. Look over your shoulder and it's a straight shot into valleys thousands of feet below. Plus, expect heavy mist and sudden fog that can cut visibility to nothing. The hairpin turns alone will make you dizzy, and the steep descent will test your brakes big time. At almost 15,000 feet, altitude sickness is real. Nausea and dizziness are common. Don't overeat before the climb, or you might be making a roadside deposit. And your mechanical skills need to be on point. You need to be confident reversing on those narrow shoulders and managing low gears on steep descents. Help is non-existent out here, and a breakdown could mean a long fall. Always pack emergency supplies, extra fuel, and make sure your tires are ready for both wet asphalt and jagged gravel.
hardHow long is the road to Laguna Verde?
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, picture this: you're in southern Colombia, in the Nariño region, heading towards the Azufral Natural Reserve. This place is home to Laguna Verde de Azufral, a volcanic lake shimmering with an unreal emerald green color. We're talking serious altitude here, nearly 4,000 meters (13,000 feet)! There used to be this legendary track, the Via acceso Laguna Verde, snaking its way up to the crater. It started near Villa Santa Isabel, but heads up: it's currently off-limits to vehicles. It's about protecting this fragile, stunning ecosystem. Before the closure, this route was a proper challenge, steep and unpaved, and it just got rougher as you climbed. Think deep ruts, crazy gradients – a high-clearance 4x4 was essential. It gained a steady elevation, eventually rewarding you with an epic viewpoint overlooking the three lagoons nestled inside the volcano's crater. But hold onto your hats, because the weather up there is wild! Snowstorms, howling winds, and sudden temperature drops were all part of the adventure. These days, the reserve is under strict protection. You can't drive all the way up anymore, but the surrounding mountain scenery is still mind-blowing. If you're exploring near Villa Santa Isabel, pack waterproof gear and warm layers. And remember, respecting the "No Entry" signs is key!