Punta Olimpica is the highest tunnel in the Americas
Peru, south-america
80 km
4,735 m
moderate
Year-round
Hey adventure seekers! Get ready to experience the incredible Punta Olimpica Tunnel in the Ancash region of Peru. Nestled high in the Cordillera Blanca mountains, this beauty connects the Callejón de Huaylas and Conchucos valleys.
We're talking serious altitude here – 4,735m (15,535ft) above sea level! This fully paved tunnel is part of Ruta AN-107 and stretches for 1,384 meters. It's usually open year-round, but keep an eye out for occasional snow closures.
Fun fact: it's named after Peru's epic football win against Austria at the 1936 Berlin Olympics!
Built under crazy tough conditions, the tunnel opened in 2013 and totally changed the game. It bypassed the old Punta Olimpica Road (now a bit worse for wear with boulders and subsidence, so be careful!) and slashed travel time from a whopping 9 hours to just 2.5 hours for the 80 km distance.
For years, it was the highest tunnel in the world! So, if you're up for breathtaking views and a serious adrenaline rush, add this to your bucket list!
Where is it?
Punta Olimpica is the highest tunnel in the Americas is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -8.1087, -76.3496
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 80 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,735 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -8.1087, -76.3496
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