Highest roads of Bolivia
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Bolivia, a South American giant the size of California and Texas put together, is a land of extremes! Think Himalayas-level mountains but smack-dab in the Andes. This country's got it all: sky-high peaks, the desolate Altiplano plateau, and crazy-steep, humid valleys. If you're a driver seeking adventure, you're in the right place.
Prepare for some seriously high-altitude driving, with roads that hug cliff faces and hairpin turns that will make your jaw drop. You'll find some of the highest, most remote, and utterly breathtaking mountain passes you could ever imagine on this continent.
Some top contenders for epic drives include the Portezuelo Sairécabur, the road to Minas San Pablo Lipez, the international Chungara-Tambo Quemado Pass, and tackling Ollague Volcano—one of South America's highest routes. Get ready for the ride of your life!
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
hardIs the road to Iruya in Argentina unpaved?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Iruya is a small town at an elevation of 2.790m (9,153ft) above sea level, located in the Iruya Department of Salta Province in Argentina. Is the road to Iruya in Argentina unpaved? Set high on the northwestern part of the country, the road to the town is not for the sissies. It comprises the unpaved RP133 and RP13 roads, straddling Jujuy and Salta provinces. The area offers awesome mountain settings, isolated villages and spectacular off-road trails. The local people are more reminiscent of Bolivians than of Argentineans with their long, black braids tied together at the end, their short, layered skirts and sombreros, sometimes pimped with a fresh flower. How long is the road to Iruya in Argentina? Starting at the paved RN9, north of Humahuaca, the drive to the picturesque village is 47.4 km (29.45 miles) long. It’s a difficult drive, with countless curves and hairpin turns, dangerous drop offs with very narrow parts, fording many rivers , a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.942m (12,933ft) above sea level. Few people use it and the area is home to vicuñas. Just before reaching Iruya you will reach a beautiful gorge, rough and barren yet colorful in tinges of red and brown. When is the best time to drive to Iruya in Argentina? The road is very dry usually, but summer rainstorms can make it impassable. The best months to travel in this area are June, July, August, September and October. A sign at the entrance to town warns visitors against: taking photographs of the residents without permission giving out charitable donations to the residents inappropriate dress. No bikinis. How to get to Gran Bajo de San Julián by car, the lowest point in the Americas? What are the highest roads in Argentina? 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.
hardWhere is Abra del Infiernillo?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright, adventure-seekers, listen up! You HAVE to experience Abra del Infiernillo in Argentina. This epic mountain pass, topping out at a whopping 10,026 feet, is the highest point in the entire Tucumán province. You'll find this beauty nestled in the Calchaquí Valleys, in the northwest of Argentina, acting as the grand entrance to Parque Provincial Cumbres Calchaquíes. Trust me, the views are worth the drive! At the summit, nicknamed Infiernillo, you'll find a communication tower, a restaurant serving up llama (yes, really!), a spacious parking area, and the incredible Mirador El Infiernillo viewpoint. But be warned, Mother Nature can be fierce up here with strong winds, swirling clouds, and frequent rain. The road itself, RP307, is about 33 miles of mostly paved road winding from Amaicha del Valle to Tafí del Valle. Expect some rough patches, narrow squeezes, and loose gravel along the way, plus hundreds of turns and hairpin bends that will keep you on your toes. It's a road trip you won't soon forget!
extremeAlto de la Cueva
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Alto de la Cueva in the Boyacá region of Colombia! This isn't your Sunday drive. We're talking a climb to 3,855 meters (12,647 feet) inside El Cocuy National Natural Park! The "road" – and I use that term loosely – is actually Carretera El Cocuy – Guicán, a gravel and rock rollercoaster. Think bumpy, tippy, and a true test for your off-roading skills. If you're not comfortable on unpaved mountain tracks, maybe skip this one. A 4x4 is practically mandatory, and a fear of heights? Leave it at home. The air gets thin up here (seriously!), and the steepness is no joke. Altitude sickness is a real concern – most feel it above 2,500-2,800 meters, so pace yourself. The views, though? Absolutely unreal. Just be prepared for your engine to feel the lack of oxygen too!
moderateWhere is Abra Malaga Pass?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just conquered Abra Malaga Pass, and you NEED to add this one to your bucket list. This beast of a road winds its way up to a staggering 4,343 meters (that's 14,248 feet!) in the Cusco Region of Peru, right on the border of La Convención and Urubamba provinces. The entire 121 km (75 miles) stretch is paved, thankfully, and follows Ruta 28B from Ollantaytambo to Santa Maria. Leaving Ollantaytambo, you're immediately greeted with hairpin after hairpin, each revealing more breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley below. Trust me, your camera roll will be overflowing! Heads up, though – on the eastern side, you'll descend into a mystical "neblina" zone – think mist, tough grasses, and marshy fens. Super cool, but drive carefully! Speaking of careful driving: this road ain't for the faint of heart. Over a hundred hairpin turns combined with some seriously steep sections mean you need your wits about you. And listen to this: during autumn and winter, snow can shut the whole thing down, making it super risky. Despite the challenges, the scenery is UNREAL. You're basically driving through postcard-perfect landscapes the entire time. So, if you're looking for a ride that'll test your skills and reward you with insane views, Abra Malaga Pass is calling your name!