Crossing the old and precarious Puente Negro

Crossing the old and precarious Puente Negro

Colombia, south-america

Length

20.7 km

Elevation

91 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, picture this: You're in Santander, Colombia, heading from El Conchal to Barcelona. Forget smooth highways, you're in for an *adventure*! This "road," a 20.7km (12.86 miles) stretch running west to east, features the infamous Puente Negroβ€”the Black Bridge. This isn't your average overpass, friends. We're talking a narrow, rickety wooden bridge, a relic of the old Tren de Bucaramanga railway (think 1870s!), suspended high above the Lebrija River. We're talking a gut-wrenching 300ft drop!

Now, officially, this thing is closed to *everything*: cars, bikes, horses, even feet. But reality bites, and locals (and adventurous travelers!) still risk it, navigating the narrow path, because, well, sometimes you gotta get from point A to point B. Just a heads-up, don't bring anything too heavy. And maybe say a little prayer before you go. The scenery, though? Absolutely breathtaking.

Where is it?

Crossing the old and precarious Puente Negro is located in Colombia (south-america). Coordinates: 3.5515, -73.4004

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Colombia
Continent
south-america
Length
20.7 km
Max Elevation
91 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
3.5515, -73.4004

Related Roads in south-america

Can you drive to Abra Anticona?extreme

Can you drive to Abra Anticona?

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡ͺ Peru

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!

Laguna Lulicochaextreme

Laguna Lulicocha

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡ͺ Peru

Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! We're headed to Laguna Lulicocha, a stunning alpine lake nestled way up in the Peruvian Andes, in the province of Pasco. We're talking a lung-busting 4,285 meters (that's 14,058 feet!) above sea level. The road to get there? It's called PA-106, and let's just say it's not for the faint of heart (or your brand-new car!). Seriously, think twice before attempting this one in anything but a sturdy 4x4. You'll be navigating some seriously rough terrain. Expect a narrow, winding path with several unlit tunnels thrown in for good measure. Keep your eyes peeled, because this area is prone to avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides, not to mention the sneaky patches of ice that can appear out of nowhere. The climb is brutal, and the air gets thin, really thin. Most folks start feeling the altitude around 2,500-2,800 meters, so be prepared. By the time you reach the top, oxygen is definitely at a premium! But trust me, the incredible scenery and the feeling of accomplishment are totally worth it.

Driving the wild unpaved road to Abra Pucuani in the Cordillera Realextreme

Driving the wild unpaved road to Abra Pucuani in the Cordillera Real

πŸ‡§πŸ‡΄ Bolivia

Okay, picture this: Abra Pucuani, a ridiculously high mountain pass in Bolivia's La Paz Department, clocks in at a lung-busting 4,556m (almost 15,000ft)! We're talking serious altitude in the Cordillera Real, that crazy-beautiful subrange of the Andes. This place is all about the drama, sandwiched between the Illimani and Mururata mountains. Think crystal-blue lagoons nestled at the base of glaciers, but also thin air and maybe a sudden snow squall, even in summer! The road itself is a 30 km (18.6 mile) dirt track connecting Palca and Tres Rios. It's a west-east rollercoaster of hairpin turns and switchbacks carved into the Palca valley's steep slopes. The road surface? Let's just say it's "rustic." Expect ruts, loose rocks, and seriously narrow ledges where one wrong move sends you tumbling. Forget your sedan; a high-clearance 4x4 is absolutely essential. Driving here is not for the faint of heart. The altitude steals your engine's power, so you'll need some serious off-road skills to manage the inclines and the slippery sections. That descent into the valley is particularly wild, demanding careful braking on corners that seem to hang over massive drops. The weather? Unpredictable! Temps can plummet below freezing in a heartbeat, and rain can turn the road into an impassable mud pit. Check conditions in Palca before you even think about heading up. Altitude sickness is a real risk too. But, oh man, the views! Unparalleled vistas of Mt. Mururata and the dramatic canyons make this a truly legendary drive for anyone craving a taste of Bolivia's wild side.

Cerro Yaritaniextreme

Cerro Yaritani

πŸ‡΅πŸ‡ͺ Peru

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're in southeastern Peru's Cusco Region and have a serious craving for altitude, Cerro Yaritani is calling your name. This gravel road climbs to a whopping 4,956m (16,259ft)! Heads up: you'll definitely need a 4x4 to tackle this bumpy ride. Rain turns the road into a real challenge, so check the weather and be prepared for loose gravel. Seriously, plan ahead for this one. The views are incredible, but the altitude is no joke. If you have any respiratory or heart issues, maybe skip this one. And definitely no babies under 4 months! The air is thin, even your engine will struggle, and altitude sickness is common above 2,500 meters. It's a tough but rewarding journey!