Is the Punta Olimpica Old Road unpaved?

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Ancash region of Peru, there's this insane old road near Punta Olimpica that'll have you clinging to the edge... literally! We're talking eastern-central Peru vibes, starting south of the main drag.

So, picture this: you're inching along this old road, but fair warning, it's blocked to cars these days. Think you can tackle it in a car? Think again: big rocks and massive potholes render it impassable. It's only suitable for bikes or hiking!

Now, elevation is no joke. You'll be gasping for air at roughly 4,735 meters above sea level, and be prepared for snow – it happens! Oh, and did I mention the *high* avalanche risk? Yeah, that's a thing.

It stretches for a respectable length and used to be *the* way before they built that famous Punta Olimpica Tunnel. Even though the road is no longer maintained, it still boasts unbelievable cliff views.

Seriously, this isn't for the faint of heart. One wrong move, and you might as well say goodbye to your tire! If you're a seasoned cyclist, maybe give it a whirl. If not, lace up those hiking boots and soak in the scenery.