Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Abra Culipampa in Apurimac

Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Abra Culipampa in Apurimac

Peru, south-america

Length

98 km

Elevation

4,834 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra Culipampa, a seriously high mountain pass nestled in the Apurímac region of Peru! We're talking a lung-busting 4,834 meters (that's 15,859 feet!) above sea level.

This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. Located in southern Peru, the 98km (61-mile) stretch, also known as Carretera 111, winds its way north-south from Antabamba (Antapampa) towards the Arequipa border. Now, here's the kicker: it's entirely unpaved. Some sections are decent, but others are sandy, so a high-clearance vehicle is definitely your best bet.

Keep in mind this is a mining road, so you'll be sharing the road with trucks. But hey, the views are worth it! Think stunning lakes and majestic volcanoes lining your path. Just be prepared to share the road with those hard-working mining trucks as you soak it all in.

Where is it?

Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Abra Culipampa in Apurimac is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -8.8223, -75.5608

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Length
98 km
Max Elevation
4,834 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-8.8223, -75.5608

Related Roads in south-america

Driving the mountain road from Yungay Pampa to Mirasanta in the Andesextreme

Driving the mountain road from Yungay Pampa to Mirasanta in the Andes

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're craving a raw, unfiltered Andean experience, this backroad from Yungay Pampa to Mirasanta in Peru's Ancash region is calling your name. Tucked inside the Huascaran National Park, prepare for views that will absolutely knock your socks off – assuming you can keep your eyes on the road! This 22.2 km stretch of pure, unadulterated dirt and gravel is a serious connector in Ancash, snaking its way up, up, UP through the mountains. The scenery? Epic. The challenge? Real. We’re talking narrow… like, barely-two-cars-wide narrow. And those drop-offs? Let's just say they're not for the faint of heart – hundreds of meters straight down, with zero guardrails to save you. Forget smooth cruising – this is a technical climb with over 20 hairpin turns that'll make your head spin (in a good way, of course!). You'll be earning every meter of that 1,099-meter elevation gain as you ascend from Yungay Pampa to a dizzying 2,478 meters above sea level. This baby's STEEP! Seriously, leave the family sedan at home. A 4WD isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. Loose gravel, crazy inclines, tight squeezes... and the weather? Let's just say it can turn on you in a heartbeat, turning that dirt track into a slippery nightmare. If you're an experienced mountain driver who knows how to handle a few (or twenty!) switchbacks and reverse like a pro, then this is your playground. Make sure your rig is in tip-top shape before you go; you're heading into the wild, where help is a long way away. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!

Driving to Sosneado Hotel, a nazi hideout in Mendozahard

Driving to Sosneado Hotel, a nazi hideout in Mendoza

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of Argentina's Mendoza Province lies a hidden gem: the abandoned Hotel Termas de El Sosneado. Forget paved paradise, this journey is all about rugged reality! The road to get there? It's Provincial Route 220 (RP220), a wild 60 km (37 miles) stretch of unpaved madness. Think rocks, loose gravel, rickety wooden bridges, mud pits, and brown rivers to ford. Seriously, you'll need a 4x4 for this one. Starting in El Sosneado, you will make your way to the abandoned hotel that sits right by the Atuel river. Perched at 2,180m (7,152ft) above sea level in the breathtaking Sosneado Valley, nestled at the foot of the Andes, this remote spot will take your breath away (if the altitude doesn't first!). The drive itself, without stops, clocks in at 2-3 hours. Built in the late 30s, this once-luxurious hotel met its demise in the 50s after an avalanche. But here's the cool part: the thermal spring pools, fed by the nearby Overo volcano, are still there and surprisingly warm, and some brave souls still take a dip! Plus, local legend whispers tales of it being a Nazi hideout…spooky! Word to the wise: this road is usually a no-go in winter. And remember, there are ZERO services along the way, so gas up and stock up on supplies before you head out. Trust me, you'll want to be prepared for this off-the-beaten-path adventure!

Can you drive to Refugio José Rivas?hard

Can you drive to Refugio José Rivas?

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Refugio José Rivas is a high mountain refuge on Cotopaxi volcano, at an elevation of 4,639m (15,219ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Pichincha and Cotopaxi provinces of Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads in the country Can you drive to Refugio José Rivas? Located about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, in the Andes Mountains, the road to the hut, locally known as Refugio Cotopaxi, is totally unpaved. It’s called Subida Parqueadero Refugio Cotopaxi. It’s a bumpy gravel road that has been eroded by rainstorms. It’s dusty in dry weather and muddy in wet. The road ends in the parking lot for the refuge. Is the road to Refugio José Rivas worth it? Set high on the northern flanks of Volcán Cotopaxi, the second-highest volcano in Ecuador, within Cotopaxi National Park, the refuge has a capacity for 86 people. It was built in 1971 and extended in 2005. It is owned and operated by Grupo Ascensionismo del Colegio San Gabriel. On a sunny day, you’ll get magnificent views of the peak and its famous conical shape. The hut used to be an overnight destination for mountaineering teams acclimatizing before making an ascent on the peak. Since 1738, records show Cotopaxi has exploded more than 50 times. It’s said to be the highest active volcano in the world. Be prepared for high-altitude sickness. Is the road to Refugio José Rivas difficult? The drive is not for the faint of heart. Weather conditions can pose a problem with bad weather conditions, wind, and thunderstorms. Make sure the gas tank is full. You’ll need a 4WD high-clearance vehicle. Your vehicle needs to be in good shape and prepared for a lag in power. At this altitude, the thin atmosphere can affect the car’s engine and decrease acceleration or climbing power. Is the road to Refugio José Rivas steep? The remote and exposed road to the refuge is very steep, hitting a 14% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at Ovejería, the ascent is 8.2 km (5.09 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 763 meters. The average gradient is 9.30%. Papallacta is one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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  to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.

Where is Caldera La Pacana?moderate

Where is Caldera La Pacana?

🇨🇱 Chile

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for a wild ride to Caldera La Pacana, a mind-blowing volcanic caldera chilling way up in the Chilean Andes. We're talking seriously high altitude here, so be prepared to be breathless – both from the views and the thin air! You'll find this gem nestled in the eastern reaches of the Atacama Desert, not far from the Salar de Aguas Calientes. Now, heads up: the road to the top is all dirt, baby! This ain't your Sunday drive. It’s a route that demands respect, surrounded by stark, remote beauty that'll make you feel like you're on another planet. Brace yourself for some tough conditions out there. The road stretches out for quite a distance, with the altitude climbing steadily. Expect some steep sections along the way. This road, located at one of the lowest passes of the Andes, is sensational!