
Road 1SC
Peru, south-america
104 km
2.658 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Carretera 1SC in southern Peru! This isn't just a road; it's a gravel rollercoaster with views that'll make your jaw drop (if you can keep it from clenching).
Clocking in at 104 km with a dizzying 60 hairpin turns, this route climbs from Ica (a chill 406m above sea level) to Huaytará (a lofty 2,658m). The scenery is epic mountain vistas, but be warned: those views come with a side of serious exposure. We're talking unprotected drops of hundreds of meters, so maybe skip this one if you get wobbly knees looking down from a stepladder.
Think steep inclines, potential landslides, heavy mist, and even snow. One wrong move, and well, let's just say you won't be posting about it on Instagram. This road is a true test of skill and nerve. Definitely not recommended for Sunday drivers or anyone with a fear of heights!
Where is it?
Road 1SC is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -8.1459, -74.5789
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 104 km
- Max Elevation
- 2.658 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -8.1459, -74.5789
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