Driving the road to Cerro Gigante is not a piece of cake
Bolivia, south-america
15.2 km
5,286 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Cerro Gigante in Bolivia's La Paz Department! This beast of a mountain pass climbs to a staggering 5,286m (17,342ft), making it one of the highest in the country.
You'll find it north of the stunning Lago Laramcota, deep in western Bolivia.
Now, let's be real: this isn't your Sunday drive. The entire 15.2 km (9.44 miles) route from Rodeo is completely unpaved, throwing narrow stretches, sharp turns, and plenty of rocks your way. Trust me, you'll NEED a 4x4.
But the views? Absolutely epic! Carved into the Kimsa Cruz range of the Andes, this road punches up 1,005 meters, averaging a 6.61% gradient. Get ready for your jaw to drop with every twist and turn!
Where is it?
Driving the road to Cerro Gigante is not a piece of cake is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.3356, -64.4722
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 15.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,286 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -16.3356, -64.4722
Related Roads in south-america
hardHow to drive the breathtaking unpaved road to Llaca Lagoon in the Ancash region?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! I just got back from the most unreal place: Laguna Llaca in Peru! Picture this: turquoise-green water shimmering at a staggering 14,655 feet! You'll find this alpine jewel near Huaraz, nestled in the Huascarán National Park, surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of the Cordillera Blanca. Getting there is half the fun, but be warned, it's not for the faint of heart. The road – Carretera a Llaca – is completely unpaved, and I mean seriously rugged. We're talking huge rocks, deep ravines, and a steep climb. You'll definitely want a 4x4 with high clearance for this one! The trek up is about 9.8 miles from Route 14A, gaining 2,136 feet in elevation with an average gradient of 4.12%. Trust me, the views are worth every bump and jostle. You'll be rewarded with stunning panoramic views. Get ready to have your breath taken away—both literally and figuratively!
extremeOswaldo Cruz Highway: 1st gear all the way down
🇧🇷 Brazil
Okay, adventure-seekers, let's talk about the Rodovia Oswaldo Cruz in Brazil! This isn't just any road; it's a wild 91km (56 miles) ride through the stunning Parque Estadual da Serra do Mar in São Paulo. Picture this: you're cruising from Taubaté in the ParaÃba Valley to the coastal paradise of Ubatuba. SP-125, completed in 1976, isn't for the faint of heart. Get ready for some seriously steep climbs – think first gear practically the whole way! You'll also be navigating hairpin turns that'll put your driving skills to the test. Make sure your car is in tip-top shape, especially the brakes and tires, because you'll need them! But hey, with views like this, it's totally worth it!
extremeHow challenging is the road to Abra Mañazo?
🇵🇪 Peru
Hit the heights in Puno Province, Peru, on the Abra Mañazo pass, soaring to a staggering 4,518m (14,822ft)! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a proper Andean adventure, deep in the desolate heart of southern Peru. Picture this: You're cruising (or, let's be real, carefully navigating) through the Altiplano, surrounded by rocky peaks as far as the eye can see. Don't let the "Panamericana" signs fool you; this is a raw, unadulterated mountain track where alpacas outnumber cars. This 55.2 km (34.29 miles) stretch of road demands respect. A high-clearance, 4WD vehicle is a must. While the average slope is a gentle 2%, the surface is rough and ready to test your driving skills. The real kicker? Serious drop-offs. The track can be narrow, and without barriers, it’s just you, your tires, and a long way down. Extra caution is key, especially when the rains come and turn the gravel into a slippery nightmare. But hey, the views! This east-west route connects the town of … to the 34C road junction and serves up some seriously breathtaking panoramic vistas of the Andes. Keep your eyes peeled for Laguna Pumacocha, two high-altitude lakes teeming with surprisingly diverse birdlife. It’s a quiet, remote, and stunning drive that embodies the Peruvian highlands, but it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.
moderateA wild road to Laguna de Paton in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Laguna de Patón! This insane lagoon sits way up in the Peruvian Andes, like, 13,615 feet high! You'll find it in the province of Oyón, Lima. The road, mostly concrete and called LM-18, is surprisingly decent, taking you from the town of Oyón eastward to the PA-100 road. Don't let that fool you, though. This 27-mile (43.5 km) stretch is a beast! Think hairpin turns and switchbacks galore. But hey, you're rewarded with breathtaking scenery at every twist and turn. This isn't just a drive, it's an experience! Just keep your eyes on the road, because those views can be seriously distracting!