How Long is the Road from Pusac to Uchumarca?
Peru, south-america
34.1 km
1,434 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the Púsac-Uchumarca road in the Bolívar Province of northern Peru! This isn't your average Sunday drive. Starting in Púsac at 1,434m above sea level, you'll climb to a dizzying 3,684m as you approach Uchumarca.
This 34.1 km (21.18 miles) unpaved road is carved into the side of a seriously steep mountain. Translation: narrow, winding, and exposed – think hundreds of meters straight down with zero guardrails. Hope you're not afraid of heights!
The real test is "Cuesta de Uchumarca," a heart-pounding 4.9 km (3 miles) stretch boasting 16 hairpin turns! You'll gain 454m in elevation with gradients hitting up to 15%. But hey, the views are absolutely epic. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before you go; you don't want to be tackling this beast in bad conditions!
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 34.1 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,434 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
Related Roads in south-america
extremeLaguna Capalococha: The ultimate 4x4 challenge in the Cordillera Blanca
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've just discovered the most ridiculously secluded lagoon nestled high in the Peruvian Andes: Laguna Capalococha. We're talking remote – deep in the Ancash Region, near the Cordillera Blanca range. This isn't your average Sunday drive. This 25 km (16-mile) dirt track is a north-south rollercoaster connecting the Chicarhuapunta pass (already at 4,289m!) with the tiny village of Purhuash. Forget the tour buses; this hidden gem is for the truly intrepid. Seriously, this road is a beast. Imagine loose rocks, gravel, and zero guardrails staring down some serious vertical drops. And the hairpin turns? We're talking about 30 of them, carving their way up those insanely steep slopes. A high-clearance 4x4? Non-negotiable. But the altitude? That's the real kicker. At over 4,600 meters (15,167ft!), the weather is unpredictable. Think blinding fog rolling in out of nowhere, making those already-narrow roads even more treacherous. You'll need your A-game, folks – maximum concentration and high-altitude driving experience are a must. But if you're up for it, this is the kind of raw, wild driving experience that you just don't find anymore. The views? Epic, if you can see through the fog!
hardPortezuelo 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!
moderateThe Moto Igualada – Aconcagua – Amazon Expedition
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're in Argentina, Mendoza Province to be exact, staring up at Aconcagua. This beast of a mountain boasts a peak at a whopping 6,961 meters (that's 22,838 feet!). Seriously, this is South American high country at its finest, snaking through the majestic Andes. Back in '77, some crazy-talented Spanish riders took on the challenge. They rode their Bultaco Sherpa T 183 motorcycles up this monster, reaching a record-breaking altitude for motorcycling. These guys were from the Moto Club Igualada and seriously knew their stuff. They conquered a staggering 6,800 meters on modified Sherpa T 350 cc motorcycles, smashing the previous record set on Kilimanjaro a few years prior. These bikes, the Bultaco Sherpa T, were legends in their own right, holding their own against other top Catalan motorcycles and gaining international recognition. Just imagine the views, the air getting thinner with every meter, and the sheer thrill of the ride! Definitely one for the bucket list if you're a thrill-seeking traveler.
moderateAn Andean mountain road to Pehuenche Pass
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Paso Pehuenche is calling your name. This high-altitude beauty straddles the border between Argentina (Mendoza Province) and Chile (Maule Region) at a cool 8,389 feet above sea level. We're talking a fully paved road trip (thanks to the 2018 upgrade!) stretching 104 miles between Las Loicas, Argentina, and San Clemente, Chile. Just hop on Ruta Nacional 145 (Argentina) or CH 115 (Chile) and get ready for some serious scenery. Factor in about 2.5 to 3.5 hours of pure driving bliss (without stops, of course!). Keep your eyes peeled for local wildlife – they love hanging out in the high country. And hold on tight, because this route isn't shy about its steepness, with gradients hitting a max of 11% in places! Nestled deep in the Andes, Paso Pehuenche is typically open from December to March, weather permitting. So, pack your bags, check those dates, and prepare for an unforgettable ride!