Road 38
Peru, south-america
74 km
3.2 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Carretera 38 in Peru! This wild ride snakes through the Andes, straddling the Tacna and Puno regions near the Bolivian border. We're talking serious altitude here – you'll be cruising entirely above 3,200m!
Forget smooth asphalt, this 74km stretch is a mix of gravel and sand, and when it rains? Impassable. No guardrails to be found, just jaw-dropping drops as you hug the mountainside inside the Vilacota Maure Regional Conservation Area. You'll connect the town of Tarata (3,120m) to Challapalca (4,277m).
Speaking of Challapalca, this route is the main artery to its infamous prison, known for its harsh conditions. But the real challenge is the road itself: oxygen is thin, and the steepness is relentless. Prepare for altitude sickness! And those hairpin turns? Over 50 of them! This whole area is known as the "Siberia of Peru" for a reason: it is wild, desolate, and incredibly beautiful.
Where is it?
Road 38 is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.8370, -75.8253
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 74 km
- Max Elevation
- 3.2 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -9.8370, -75.8253
Related Roads in south-america
extremeJourney Through the Depths: Exploring Peru's Challenging Cotahuasi Canyon Road
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for the Cotahuasi Canyon Road in Peru! About 124 miles from Arequipa, deep in the Southern Andes, lies Cotahuasi Canyon, a contender for the world's deepest. We're talking a whopping 11,595 feet down, dwarfing even the Grand Canyon! Think mind-blowing views, traditional farms clinging to the steep slopes, and remnants of ancient civilizations. Now, let's talk about the drive. This isn't a Sunday cruise, folks. This 22-mile stretch from Cotahuasi to Quechualla is strictly 4x4 territory. Imagine a narrow, unpaved ribbon clinging to the canyon's edge. We're talking hairpin curves, serious drop-offs, and a bumpy, uneven surface that'll test your skills. No guardrails here, so keep your eyes on the road (and maybe a little prayer in your heart). Plan for a full day of travel because you’ll be going slow and steady! But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. Think rugged mountains, lush valleys, and terraced farms stretching as far as the eye can see. Keep an eye out for the snow-capped Misti Volcano early on. Later, you'll pass through the town of Corire, home to the ancient Toro Muerto Petroglyphs – seriously cool cave paintings! Finally, wind through the lush Cotahuasi Valley with those rolling hills and maybe even spot an Andean condor soaring overhead. When to go? Aim for the dry season, June to September. Warm days, cool nights, and most importantly, dry roads! And don't forget to pack comfy clothes, sturdy shoes, a hat, sunscreen, and bug spray. Trust me, you'll thank me later. Get ready for an unforgettable Peruvian adventure!
hardA haunted paved road to Páramo La Negra
🌍 Venezuela
Okay, buckle up for an adventure to Páramo La Negra, a high-altitude paradise straddling the Táchira and Mérida states in Venezuela! Sitting pretty at 3,065m (10,055ft) within the Andes, this spot in the Páramos Batallón and La Negra National Park is a must-see. The road to the top, Carretera Trasandina (aka Troncal 7 or Route 7), is paved but get ready for a wild ride: it's narrow, steep, and packed with more twists and turns than you can count. Oh, and did I mention the frequent mist and fog? Trust me, this is one road trip you'll want to savor. The views are absolutely extraordinary, so plan to stop often at the viewpoints along the way. And when you finally reach the summit, treat yourself to a cup of joe at Cafetin el Portachuelo. The 47.2 km (29.32 miles) route winds from La Grita in Táchira to Bailadores in Mérida – a town with history dating back to 1578. Be warned: it's seriously chilly up here, even when the sun's out, and the wind can be fierce. Locals even say the road's haunted, with tales of ghost lights appearing at night!
extremeCuesta del Clavillo
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Cuesta del Clavillo in Tucumán Province, Argentina! This isn't just a road; it's a wild ride carved into the mountains within the Parque Nacional Campo de los Alisos. Think Ruta Nacional 65—but forget the smooth tarmac. We're talking a narrow, dirt track that clings impossibly to the cliffside, snaking up via 14 crazy-tight hairpin turns. This 5.5km stretch throws you from 1,625m to 1,867m above sea level, packing in a 242-meter climb with some sections hitting a serious 10% gradient. Translation: it's steep! The gravel surface can be loose, especially on the edges, so stay sharp. Heads up: this route isn't for the faint of heart! Expect heavy traffic, year-round rain and fog. Landslides, anyone? Visibility can drop to zero in an instant. And those views? Stunning, but remember that in many spots, it's a sheer drop of hundreds of meters with zero guardrails. If you’re prone to motion sickness, maybe skip that extra empanada before you go! Oh, and be prepared. This track gets seriously muddy and slippery after rain, so even a 4x4 might struggle. During and after a storm, it can be totally impassable. But, for the skilled and the brave, Cuesta del Clavillo offers an unforgettable, adrenaline-pumping experience.
extremeTarija-Villamontes Road
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, buckle up, adventure-seekers, because the Tarija-Villamontes road in southeastern Bolivia is a wild ride you won't soon forget! This stretch of Ruta Nacional 11 connects Tarija and Villamontes, and let's just say it's got a reputation for being a bit of a beast. Clocking in at 224 km, this mountain route is the main artery for southern Bolivia, funneling traffic from Paraguay and the Argentine Chaco. Expect a fair amount of company, especially big rigs – this is a working road. You'll find yourself kicking up dust, bouncing over bumps, and dodging stones as you navigate tight bends with serious drop-offs. Built way back in 1929, the road winds through an area famous for its oil, and it's mostly hard-packed gravel, but with a layer of loose sand on top. Be warned, it gets pretty narrow in sections, and safety barriers are often nonexistent. Sadly, this road has seen its share of accidents. Be prepared for fog, rain, and even snow in winter. Navigating these steep mountain passes requires serious focus!