Can you drive to Abra Anticona?

Can you drive to Abra Anticona?

Peru, south-america

Length

37.4 km

Elevation

4,824 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Anticona! This insane mountain pass straddling the Lima and Junin regions of Peru hits a lung-busting 4,824m (15,826ft). Some say it's the highest paved road in South America – debate that over a coca tea at the summit!

Yep, you can drive it! It's all paved as part of the Carretera Central (Ruta 22), winding through the Peruvian Andes. You'll find a small bar and parking lot to celebrate conquering this beast.

This baby clocks in at 37.4 km (23 miles) from Casapalca heading east to the JU-102 road.

Now, let's talk challenge. Prepare for some serious white-knuckle action! Think hairpin bends that'll have you questioning your sanity, llamas popping out of nowhere, and mountains that love to shed rocks. It's steep, twisty, and packed with trucks and coaches, so cyclists, maybe skip this one. Oh, and expect weather that changes on a dime.

Give yourself about an hour to tackle this trek. The summit, also called Ticlio Pass or Nevado de Ticlio, is where the Pacific and Atlantic drainage basins split – pretty cool, huh? Get ready for an unforgettable ride!

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Length
37.4 km
Max Elevation
4,824 m
Difficulty
extreme

Related Roads in south-america

Driving through the defiant road to Laguna Margaritamoderate

Driving through the defiant road to Laguna Margarita

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for a wild ride on the Carretera a Laguna Margarita in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina! This isn't your average Sunday drive. You'll kick things off from Ruta 3 in Tierra del Fuego, and from there you'll cover about 20km of pure, unadulterated gravel road. Expect it rough, narrow, and potentially impassable after a good rain. But hey, that's part of the fun, right? As you bump along, keep your eyes peeled for stunning views of Lago Escondido and Lago Fagnano, and the road culminates at the beautiful Laguna Margarita. Trust me, the scenery alone is worth the bumpy journey.

A memorable road trip to Abra del Lizoiteextreme

A memorable road trip to Abra del Lizoite

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Abra del Lizoite, a seriously high mountain pass in Argentina, clocking in at a whopping 4,536m (14,882ft)! We're talking about one of the highest roads in the whole country, so prepare for some serious altitude. You'll find this beast nestled west of Abra Campana, right on the border between Jujuy and Salta provinces, up in northern Argentina near Bolivia. Think stunning, remote landscapes. Now, let's be real: the road to the top is a wild ride. It's entirely unpaved and seriously challenging, with more curves and hairpin turns than you can count. If you get carsick easily, maybe think twice! And definitely bring a high-clearance vehicle – you'll need it. This epic road is known as Ruta Provincial 5 (RP5) in Jujuy Province and Ruta Provincial 7 (RP7) in Salta Province. The whole thing stretches for about 78km (48 miles), running from Cajas (in Jujuy) to the seriously cool high-altitude town of Santa Victoria Oeste in Salta, which sits pretty at 2,400m above sea level. The scenery is absolutely worth the white-knuckle drive, trust me!

An awe-inspiring drive to Punta Olimpica in the Andeshard

An awe-inspiring drive to Punta Olimpica in the Andes

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: you're in Ancash, Peru, smack-dab in the middle of Huascarán National Park. You're about to tackle Ruta Departamental AN-107, heading towards Punta Olimpica, one of Peru's highest paved roads, topping out at a staggering 15,525 feet! This isn't just any road trip; it's an adventure that’ll take your breath away – literally! We're talking stunning views of Huascarán, Peru’s highest mountain, and a climb so steep (maxing out at a 6.3% gradient) you'll feel like you're scaling the sky. Get ready for "Sector de las Mil Curvas" – the "1000 turns section"! It’s a 26km stretch of pure adrenaline with 46 hairpin turns. Seriously, hold on tight! The whole drive is about 76.2km (47.34 miles) from Carhuaz to San Martín de Chacas. Heads up: this road has a bit of history! Construction started way back in 1910 but wasn't finished until 1984. The pavement is mostly good, but there's a short, 2km stretch that's still unpaved. And, get this, near the top, you'll cruise through the Tunnel Punta Olimpica – a 1,384-meter marvel and one of the world's highest tunnels! Keep in mind that at this altitude, the air is thin. If you're not used to it, take it easy or grab some altitude sickness meds. Rainy or snowy weather can shut this road down, so plan accordingly. But if you're up for the challenge, the views are worth every twist and turn!

Mirador Via Principalhard

Mirador Via Principal

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Okay, picture this: you're cruising through the Ecuadorian Andes, heading towards a spot called Mirador Via Principal Parque Nacional Cajas. This isn't your average scenic overlook – we're talking a staggering 3,807 meters (12,490 feet) above sea level! You'll be on the Vía Colectora Cuenca-Puerto Inca (E582), which connects Guayaquil with Cuenca. The road itself is concrete and in decent condition, but get ready for a climb! It's seriously steep with plenty of hairpin turns to keep you on your toes. Keep in mind, the weather here is no joke. Fog, rain, and mist are common, and it can get pretty chilly. The afternoons especially tend to get rainy in Cajas, so plan accordingly. But trust me, if you catch it on a clear day, the views are totally worth it!