Laguna La Viuda

Laguna La Viuda

Peru, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,560 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're anywhere near the Lima Region of western Peru and you're craving an adrenaline rush, you HAVE to check out Laguna La Viuda. This stunning high-mountain lake sits way up at 4,560m (that's nearly 15,000ft!).

Getting there on the gravel road 20A is...well, let's just say it's an experience. This isn't your Sunday drive. Think seriously steep inclines, a serious lack of oxygen, and some seriously mind-blowing vertical drops. We're talking hundreds of meters down, with no guardrails to keep you company! If you get dizzy easily, this might be one to skip, especially on a windy day.

While the road tests your courage, it rewards you with incredible views of the surrounding mountains. Just keep your eyes on the road! It connects Lima and Colquijirca. Be aware that this road can be closed due to snow. The area is known for heavy mist, making visibility a challenge. Plus, avalanches, snowfalls, and landslides are a real possibility, and icy patches are common. So, yeah, keep your wits about you. Make sure to take altitude into account, most people feel altitude sickness at around 2,500-2,800 meters.

Where is it?

Laguna La Viuda is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -10.2810, -73.8131

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Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
4,560 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-10.2810, -73.8131

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