
An epic road to Abra Ares in the Andes
Peru, south-america
19.2 km
5,018 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Arequipa region of Southern Peru, you'll find Abra Ares, an epic mountain pass soaring to a staggering 5,018 meters (that's 16,463 feet!). It's one of the highest roads in Peru, so get ready for some serious altitude.
The road stretches for about 19.2 kilometers (almost 12 miles) from Illigua to Chahuaña, and it's a totally unpaved, bumpy ride—but don't worry, your average car can handle it. Just be prepared for some seriously steep sections, with gradients hitting over 10%! The air is thin up here, so take it easy and soak in the breathtaking views of the Andes. Keep an eye on the weather; conditions can change fast in these parts. This isn't just a drive; it's an Andean adventure!
Where is it?
An epic road to Abra Ares in the Andes is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.8619, -73.6057
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 19.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,018 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -7.8619, -73.6057
Related Roads in south-america
hardHow to drive the hairpin turns to Collpani?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Collpani in Bolivia's La Paz Department! This ain't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: a tiny village nestled high in the Andes, accessible by a road that redefines "twisty." We're talking 52 hairpin turns packed into just 10.4 kilometers! Seriously, if you get carsick easily, maybe sit this one out. Or at least pack some ginger ale. You'll be climbing 819 meters, going from 3,075 m to a lung-busting 3,894 m above sea level. That's an average gradient of nearly 8%, with sections hitting a wild 15%. The entire road is unpaved and super narrow. The scenery? Absolutely stunning, but you'll be too busy wrestling the steering wheel to fully appreciate it. This route is an adventure, to say the least! Just remember to take it slow, enjoy the ride, and maybe don't eat a huge meal beforehand. You've been warned!
extremeCuesta del Farallon: Only Experienced Drivers with Advanced Off-Road Skills
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the heart of Argentina's Jujuy Province, practically breathing the same air as Bolivia, lies Cuesta del Farallón. This isn't your Sunday drive, folks. We're talking a high-altitude pass topping out at a whopping 4,625m (15,173ft)! Forget pavement; this is a raw, unadulterated 4x4 experience. Picture this: you, your trusty rig, and 17.7 km (11 miles) of winding, rocky terrain. Think you've got what it takes to tackle the loose rocks, hairpin turns, crazy inclines, and cliff-edge drop-offs? The payoff? Unreal Andean scenery as you climb from the village of Lagunillas del Farallón up to Laguna Cerro Negro, a stunning high-mountain lake sitting pretty at 4,492m (14,737 ft). Just remember, this isn't for the faint of heart – or weak suspensions!
hardHow to get by car to Gruta Huagapo: A scenic drive through the Peruvian Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventurers, let's talk about the JU-105, the road to Gruta Huagapo in Peru's Tarma Province! This isn't just a drive; it's a climb into the heart of the Andes. Think winding roads connecting Acobamba and San Pedro de Cajas, with a seriously cool cave as your destination. Clocking in at about 41.5 km, you'll start at a comfy 2,958 meters in Acobamba, but hold on tight because you're heading up to a dizzying 4,213 meters in San Pedro de Cajas. Trust me, your camera will be working overtime with the views – we're talking epic Andean walls framing every turn! Good news: this baby's been paved! No more battling mud and gravel, making it a smoother ride for most cars. That said, don't get cocky – those gradients are still steep! Speaking of the cave, you'll find it chilling along the JU-105 at 3,553 meters. It's a proper South American deep dive, so impressive that even geologists get a little star-struck. The elevation gain is over 1,200 meters so make sure your car is happy tackling steep climbs. Also, you're in the Junín region, so prepare for that thinner air. Up here, the weather can flip on a dime, so pack layers. Brakes in tip-top shape are a must for those long descents. Oh, and the views of the Tarma valley on the way to the cave? Unforgettable. This road's open year-round. However, the sweet spot is the dry season (May to September). Rainy season? Totally doable, but keep an eye out for potential rockfalls from those steep mountainsides.
moderateTravel Guide to Abra Milloc in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: Abra Milloc, or Punta Seis Lagos as the locals call it, is a sky-high Andean pass sitting pretty at a whopping 4,826m (that's 15,833ft!). You'll find it straddling the Junín and Lima regions in Peru, right in the western heart of the country. The name? It translates to "Six Lakes Peak," and trust me, the views live up to the hype! You're cruising through a landscape peppered with six unbelievably colorful lakes. Seriously, bring your camera! The road itself? It’s about 60km (38 miles) of unpaved goodness stretching from Casapalca to Huanza. But don’t let the "unpaved" part scare you; the surface is actually pretty decent. It's mostly flat and manageable when dry. This beauty is also known as LM 116 or the Carretera Milloc-Marcapomacocha. It’s not super steep either, just a gradual climb. That said, you're still out there, so load up on water, snacks, extra fuel, and a warm layer (it gets chilly up there!). A reliable GPS and some good old-fashioned maps wouldn't hurt either.