Driving Ruta 3N with vertigo-inducing depths of up to 1.000m

Driving Ruta 3N with vertigo-inducing depths of up to 1.000m

Peru, south-america

Length

22 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Carretera 3-N in the Ancash region of Peru! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking seriously stunning (and slightly terrifying) drops of up to 1,000 meters!

You'll find this wild ride snaking through the northern part of the country, mostly unpaved. The real heart-pumper is a 22-kilometer stretch between Cañon del Pato and the tiny town of La Pampa.

Imagine a road getting narrower and narrower, a never-ending series of hairpin turns carved by hand into the mountainside. Seriously, some of these bends are tight! You'll need laser focus and a smooth touch on the steering wheel. Forget about passing another car – or especially a truck – easily. And watch out, because the road turns into a washboard of rocks, especially during the rainy or snowy season when it might even be closed. But hey, the views? Absolutely epic!

Where is it?

Driving Ruta 3N with vertigo-inducing depths of up to 1.000m is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -8.3382, -76.8528

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Length
22 km
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-8.3382, -76.8528

Related Roads in south-america

Where is Abra Lliullita?moderate

Where is Abra Lliullita?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: You're cruising through Peru's Southern Sierra, heart pounding, as you climb towards Abra Lliullita, perched way up high. This isn't just any road; it's a historic route that once bustled with mule drivers carting goods between Chuquibambilla and Abancay. It's still there, winding up toward the sky. The road's not paved, so maybe leave the sports car at home. The views are totally worth the bumpy ride, though. Keep an eye out for the Laguna de Lliullita near the top. It's perfect for spotting wildlife. The whole stretch from Vilcabamba to Abancay, clocking in at a fair distance, will test your mettle, especially when you consider the altitude. Take it slow, and listen to your body. Altitude sickness is real, folks. But if you're prepared for adventure, this road is a total knockout!

Abra Llamaorgo: Driving one of the highest mountain passes in Peruextreme

Abra Llamaorgo: Driving one of the highest mountain passes in Peru

🇵🇪 Peru

Abra Llamaorgo is an extreme mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,700m (15,419ft) above sea level, located in the Department of Huancavelica, Peru. This high-altitude route is a true test for any driver, offering raw Andean scenery and challenging gradients in one of the most remote regions of the country. The ascent starts from the city of Huancavelica. The road to the summit is 22.7 km long, involving a significant elevation gain of 995 meters. The drive is famous for its 20 hairpin turns that snake up the steep mountain slopes, providing constant views of the surrounding peaks. The road is totally unpaved but generally well-maintained. While it consists mainly of gravel and dirt, its condition often allows a standard passenger vehicle to reach the summit during periods of good weather, provided the driver proceeds slowly and with caution. The road is extremely steep, with some sections exceeding a 24% gradient. Due to the extreme altitude, weather conditions can change in minutes. Even a single rainfall can make the surface challenging. The area is prone to heavy snowfalls, landslides, and avalanches, with frequent patches of ice making the track dangerous at any time of year. Because of its remote location and altitude of 4,700 meters, it is vital to be fully prepared. Drivers should carry extra fuel, water, food, and warm clothing. A reliable GPS and physical maps are highly recommended, as mobile signal is virtually non-existent in this part of the Andes. The best time for driving is during the dry season (typically from May to September). During the rainy season, the risk of road blockages due to mud or ice increases significantly. Regardless of the season, the high elevation means the air is thin, which can affect both engine power and the driver's physical well-being. Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Chollay-Punta Colorada Roadhard

Chollay-Punta Colorada Road

🇨🇱 Chile

Get ready for a breathtaking Chilean adventure on the Chollay-Punta Colorada road! Seriously, this drive is gorgeous. Think stunning mountain vistas and hairpin turns galore – we're talking over 30 of them winding through the Andes. Clocking in at 209km, this route links Chollay in the Atacama Region to Punta Colorada in the Coquimbo Region, hugging the Argentinian border. The good news is the road was recently asphalted, so the surface is smooth. The challenge? You're climbing high, really high. The highest point hits 3,573m (11,722ft), so be prepared for thin air. Altitude sickness is a real possibility, so take it easy! Extreme weather can also play a role, so keep an eye on the forecast. But trust me, the scenery is worth it!

Portezuelo El Choclohard

Portezuelo El Choclo

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got a hidden gem for you in Chile's Atacama region: Portezuelo El Choclo. We're talking serious altitude here, topping out at 3,375 meters (that's over 11,000 feet!). The road, also known as Portezuelo de Chulluncallani, is a gravel track leading towards the Damas Pass border in the Andes. Word to the wise: this isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. The gravel can be pretty loose, especially on the edges, and after a rainstorm? Forget about it –muddy and slippery doesn't even begin to cover it. During bad weather, you might not even be able to get through with a 4x4. But if you're prepared for a challenge, the views are totally worth it! Plus, you’ll get to a high point of 3.660m above the sea level!