Road PA-100
Peru, south-america
56.5 km
4 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in the heart of central Peru, high in the Pasco region, lies the PA-100 – a mountain road experience unlike any other. We're talking serious altitude here; the entire route hovers *above* 4,000 meters!
Starting from Cerro de Pasco (off the 3N) and winding up to Ruta 18, this 56.5 km stretch of gravel is a true Andean adventure. Word to the wise: a little rain turns this road into a challenge. Expect some seriously steep climbs and get ready to navigate around 18 hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills.
The payoff? Jaw-dropping scenery and bragging rights from conquering Abra Huaytire, the highest point at a staggering 4,543 meters (that’s 14,904 feet!). This route is a must-do for any road trip enthusiast!
Where is it?
Road PA-100 is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.1381, -74.4924
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 56.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 4 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -9.1381, -74.4924
Related Roads in south-america
hardDriving the paved road to Laguna Quilotoa
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! You HAVE to experience the road to Quilotoa Lake in the Ecuadorian Andes. We're talking serious altitude here – 12,841 feet above sea level! The road's paved, which is a plus, but get ready for some seriously steep climbs. You'll find it snaking through Cotopaxi Province. Word to the wise: pack layers! The weather up there is a total drama queen. One minute it's sunny and warm, the next it's cloudy and freezing. And those nights? Brrr! Let me tell you, getting to Corazon Volcano is no walk in the park. Prepare for an exciting ride!
extremeLa Pampa-Sihuas (Road 12A)
🇵🇪 Peru
Daredevils, listen up! Deep in central Peru, snaking through the magnificent Huascarán National Park, lies Carretera 12A – a gravel track that's more rollercoaster than road. Forget guardrails; you're playing chicken with gravity here, with sheer drops of hundreds of meters just inches from your tires. Vertigo sufferers, seriously, sit this one out. This epic 91.5 km route connects Sihuas (at a cool 2,725m above sea level) to La Pampa (dipping down to 1,796m), and it's a wild ride. Prepare for hairpin after hairpin as you climb to a dizzying 4,200m. It’s a true test of skill and nerves, and you’ll be sharing the road with lumbering log trucks, so stay sharp! The scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Think mind-blowing mountain vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. But don't get too distracted – this narrow, exposed trail demands respect. Landslides and avalanches are a real threat, and one wrong move sends you tumbling. Oh, and a windy day? Hard pass. If you crave adventure and have nerves of steel, your wheels will be treated to views unlike anything else on Earth! Just be sure you know how to reverse.
extremeRoad to the Junín Lakes: Driving to Alcacocha, Tarusmachay, and Oshgomachay
🇵🇪 Peru
Get ready for an epic Andean adventure! Deep in the heart of Peru's Central Andes, near Junín, lies a mind-blowing route that winds past three ridiculously gorgeous glacial lakes: Alcacocha, Tarusmachay, and Oshgomachay. This isn't your average Sunday drive; it's a high-altitude test of you and your vehicle through the stark beauty of the Meseta de Bombón. Forget smooth pavement – this is a classic "trocha," a white gravel track carving through a vast, treeless plateau. Imagine endless ichu grass swaying in the fierce Andean winds, with distant peaks as your only companions. It’s raw, exposed, and unbelievably scenic. Starting just north of Junín, you peel off the civilized 3N Road and onto this 14.9 km stretch of pure adventure. Don’t let the average gradient of 2.85% fool you; the real challenge is the altitude. You’ll be climbing a cumulative 426 meters in seriously thin air! The route flows organically through the mountains. First, you'll hit Laguna Alcacocha (at a dizzying 4,366m). Then, it's upwards to the highest point by Laguna Tarusmachay (4,443m), before leveling out a bit near Laguna Oshgomachay (4,430m). The whole drive is a slow, steady climb where you'll definitely feel your engine straining above 4,000 meters. Expect mostly loose gravel and compacted earth under your tires. In dry weather, it's dusty but manageable. But remember, this is extreme high-altitude driving! Oxygen is scarce, and you'll likely feel the effects of altitude sickness if you haven't acclimatized in Junín or nearby towns. Safety first, especially during the rainy season (November to April). Snowfall and landslides can make things seriously dicey. There are absolutely no services, no gas stations, and hardly any other vehicles out here. A 4x4 with good tires is essential, as the gravel gets slick when wet, and those steep sections demand traction. Before you ditch the 3N highway, give your ride a thorough check-up. Thin air makes engines work overtime, so check those tires and cooling system! That "lack of oxygen" also affects your reflexes and judgment. If you get a headache or feel dizzy, stop or head down immediately. This route is your ticket to the authentic Peruvian puna, far from the tourist throngs, where your only company might be alpaca herds and the serene, frigid lagoons.
moderateAn Andean border road to Cardenal Antonio Samore Pass
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Paso Cardenal Antonio Samoré, a seriously scenic mountain pass straddling the Chile-Argentina border. We're talking about one of the easiest ways to cross the southern Andes, and get this – it's paved the whole way! You'll climb to a modest 1,306m (4,284ft), linking Chile's Los Lagos Region with the stunning Patagonia region of Argentina. The route is known as Ruta 215 on the Chilean side and seamlessly transitions to Ruta Nacional 231 once you cross into Argentina. The pass stretches for 102 km (63 miles) between Entre Lagos in Chile and Villa La Angostura in Argentina. Keep an eye out for the operating times – typically 9 am to 8 pm, but winter weather can definitely throw a curveball. The pass got its name from Cardinal Antonio Samoré, a peacekeeper between Chile and Argentina in the 70s and 80s. Get ready for some incredible views!