Driving the paved Estrada Cunha-Paraty in Brazil
Brazil, south-america
44.6 km
1,531 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: the Cunha-Paraty Road in Brazil. It's a 44.6km (27.71 miles) ribbon of road straddling São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro states. Think lush scenery and a real sense of adventure!
The road's fully paved, since 2016! The first 30km (SP-171) is smooth sailing in São Paulo, well-signed, and generally in great shape (though it can get a little busy). Then you hit a sweet 10km stretch (RJ-165) through Serra da Bocaina National Park – cobblestones galore! Seriously, this part is a highlight. The last 10km gets a bit rougher, with a narrower road and some potholes, so keep your eyes peeled.
Expect some steep climbs and descents, especially within the national park. You'll be dropping into 1st or 2nd gear in spots, no doubt. The highest point? A cool 1,531m (5,022ft) above sea level.
You *could* blast through it in an hour without stopping. But seriously, give yourself at least two! This road is part of the Estrada Real, a.k.a. the "Old Road" or "Gold Road," used way back in the 17th century to haul minerals (gold, mostly) to the coast. It's all about stunning views: forests, waterfalls, and incredible peaks. Trust me, you'll want to soak it all in!
Where is it?
Driving the paved Estrada Cunha-Paraty in Brazil is located in Brazil (south-america). Coordinates: -15.8005, -55.2206
Road Details
- Country
- Brazil
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 44.6 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,531 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -15.8005, -55.2206
Related Roads in south-america
hardRoad LM-119
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you're in Peru, craving an adrenaline rush, and consider yourself a confident driver, Carretera LM-119 needs to be on your radar. This 75-kilometer stretch of road winds through the Santo Domingo de los Olleros District, high up in the Huarochirí province. We're talking serious altitude here, folks—you'll be cruising above 2,500 meters for the *entire* ride, topping out at a breathtaking 3,635 meters. Translation? The views are insane. But let's be real: this isn't for the faint of heart (or stomach). Think hairpin turns galore, dizzying drop-offs (we're talking potential 1,000-meter freefalls!), and zero guardrails. Yeah, you read that right. Night driving or poor visibility? Hard pass. This road demands your full attention. Consider it a shortcut from the mountains to Calle 119 in Lima, but one that's absolutely unforgettable. If you're a road lover, Abra Huaytire is a must-see! Just be prepared for a wild ride.
hardHow to get by car to Cerro Chacaltaya, the world's highest ski resort?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
# Cerro Chacaltaya: Bolivia's Haunting High-Altitude Adventure Perched at a jaw-dropping 5,260 meters (17,257 feet) in La Paz Department, Cerro Chacaltaya stands as one of Bolivia's most extreme mountain roads. Nestled deep in the Cordillera Real of the Andes, this peak holds a fascinating—and somewhat melancholy—piece of skiing history. Here's the wild part: from 1939 to 2009, Chacaltaya was home to the world's highest ski resort. Yeah, you read that right. While most people assume the world's most elite ski slopes exist in Switzerland or Colorado, they'd be wrong. This remote Bolivian mountain actually held that crown for seven decades, complete with a restaurant and cozy chalet for adventurous tourists. Unfortunately, climate change has other plans. The snow vanished, the skiers stopped coming, and the station was abandoned in 2009, leaving behind only ghostly ruins and faded memories. The road itself—called Ruta Chacaltaya—has been winding up this mountain since the 1930s, but don't expect pavement. This is pure unpaved, high-altitude adventure territory that demands a serious 4x4 vehicle. Starting from Ingenio, you're looking at a 9.6-kilometer (5.96-mile) climb with a brutal 635-meter elevation gain. Some sections hit a stomach-churning 14% gradient, and the narrow, steep switchbacks come with genuinely terrifying drop-offs. Average gradient sits at 6.61%—this road doesn't mess around. Once you reach the abandoned resort, the real view unfolds. Panoramic vistas stretch across the Cordillera Real, showcasing Huayna Potosi, Mururata, and the iconic Illimani, with La Paz sprawling below. On clear days, you can even spot Lake Titicaca shimmering to the west. If you've got energy left, a short 100-meter hike leads to the actual summit. History buffs shouldn't miss the Mount Chacaltaya Laboratory nearby—originally a weather station that evolved into a critical hub for gamma-ray research.
moderateDriving 25km above 4,900m on the gravel road to Peru's Abra Azuca
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just conquered Abra Azuca, and WOW, what a ride! Perched way up high in the Peruvian Andes, right on the border between Cusco and Apurimac, this baby tops out at a staggering 5,190 meters (that's 17,027 feet!). Seriously, you're breathing some thin air up there. This isn't your typical Sunday drive; the 25.1 km (15.59 miles) from Abra Culipampa to the summit is all unpaved, a rugged path snaking through the Wansu mountains. Think epic views, seriously beautiful scenery that'll make your jaw drop. The road itself? Surprisingly decent, mostly because it's used by mining trucks. Expect gentle inclines for the most part, though there are a few steeper sections to keep things interesting. Pro tip: Acclimatize, acclimatize, acclimatize! This is high altitude, and you'll want to enjoy the experience, not gasp for air. Word on the street is this is one of the highest passes in South America, so you know it's legit!
moderateCamino de Los Túneles
🇦🇷 Argentina
Get ready for an adrenaline rush on the Camino de Los Túneles – the "Road of the Tunnels"! Nestled in the heart of Argentina, where the Sierras Chicas meet the Suquía River, this isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking Ruta Provincial 28 (RP28) in Córdoba province, a roughly 11-kilometer stretch of unpaved road connecting Córdoba and La Rioja. Built in the 1930s, this beauty starts at kilometer 83 (the access road's paved now, thankfully!). Once you conquer that first tunnel, BAM – a valley panorama explodes before you, all flat greens stretching to the horizon. Hold on tight though! This route's got five tunnels and a few bridges, a dizzying pigtail turn that climbs like crazy, and some seriously narrow spots with hundreds of meters of drop-offs. Not for the faint of heart (or those with vertigo!). Keep an eye out for rock slides, too. But it's not all white-knuckle driving. There are viewpoints where you can spot majestic condors soaring overhead! The most famous tunnels are Chancaní and Taninga. Picture this: native trees clinging to the edge of the abyss, condors circling the Quebrada de la Mermela, and the endless plains of La Rioja fading into the distance. It's a wild ride to Cerro Estrella in the Andes, and one you won't soon forget!