Salkantay Refuge
Peru, south-america
18.2 km
3,849 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure lovers! We're heading to Refugio Salkantay, a mountain paradise perched way up in the Peruvian Andes, Cusco Region, at a whopping 3,849m (12,627ft). Get ready for views that will blow your mind – seriously, the mountain scenery is epic!
This isn't your Sunday drive, though. Carretera 109, the gravel road leading up from Mollepata, is a true test of skill and nerve. We're talking steep climbs, an 18.2km stretch with a 987-meter elevation gain (that's an average gradient of 5.42%!), and drop-offs that will make your palms sweat. If you're scared of heights, this might not be for you.
The road winds through the Vilcabamba range and has some seriously unprotected edges. Keep an eye on the weather, too. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are real dangers, especially with those icy patches. Basically, be prepared for an unforgettable, but challenging, ride!
Where is it?
Salkantay Refuge is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -8.2528, -74.7544
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 18.2 km
- Max Elevation
- 3,849 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -8.2528, -74.7544
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhere is La Cumbre Choroni?
🌍 Venezuela
Okay, picture this: you're in Venezuela, about to tackle La Cumbre Choroni, a wild ride up to 1,611 meters (5,285 feet)! This mountain pass snakes through Aragua state, right in the heart of Henri Pittier National Park. The road, Carretera Maracay (also known as Via Choroni or Carretera Local 6), is paved—though with some concrete sections to keep things interesting. It's a throwback, originally built way back in the 1920s, but fully paved only by 1990. Get ready for 50 kilometers (32 miles) of twisty, narrow mountain road. You'll start in Maracay, the lively capital of Aragua, and wind your way north down to Puerto Colombia, one of Venezuela's best Caribbean beach getaways. Now, don't let the beautiful scenery fool you. This road is not for the faint of heart. Expect cracks in the road, random obstacles, and be on alert for floods and landslides, especially after rain. Seriously, it’s narrow, windy, and packed with hairpin turns that’ll test your driving skills. You'll be navigating cloud forests one minute and descending towards the sea the next. Even taxis bomb around blind corners like they’re auditioning for a stunt driving movie. Buckle up and keep your eyes on the road!
hardConquering the Amazon: The Thrilling Drive on the BR-319 Mud Road of Brazil
🇧🇷 Brazil
Get ready for an epic adventure on BR-319, the wild Brazilian highway that slices through the heart of the Amazon from Manaus to Porto Velho! This 857km (532 miles) stretch is not for the faint of heart. Think deep mud that can make it completely impassable during the rainy season, turning your journey into a real test of resilience. This rugged route connects Manaus, the bustling capital of Amazonas where the Negro and Solimões rivers meet, with Porto Velho, the capital of Rondônia nestled in the upper Amazon basin. You'll rumble through small cities like Humaitá and Manicoré, witnessing a side of Brazil few get to see. Built in the '70s to open up the rainforest, BR-319 fell into disrepair pretty quickly. Expect a mix of asphalt, gravel, and sand, but brace yourself for crater-sized potholes, broken pavement, and a serious lack of guardrails. It's a true off-road experience! The debate continues about fully restoring the highway, with concerns about increased deforestation in this precious region. For now, most cargo goes by boat, leaving this challenging road to the truly adventurous, who camp out under the stars along the way.
hardDriving through the lethal Ocoña Cliffs
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: you're cruising down the Peruvian coast on the Acantilados de Ocoña – a cliff-hugging highway that's equal parts stunning and seriously thrilling. We're talking southern Peru, where the road weaves between the Caravelí and Camaná provinces. Imagine a paved ribbon carved into the hillsides, a constant zig-zag dance as it climbs and plunges along the cliffs. Officially, it's known as 1S (Carretera Panamericana Sur) but unofficially? It's an adventure. Clocking in at around 75 kilometers (46ish miles), this stretch connects Atico to Ocoña, and it's a non-stop ocean view extravaganza. Now, for the adrenaline junkies: this road has a rep for being one of the trickiest in the country. Think sheer drops of around 200 meters (650+ feet) in many spots, with zero guardrails to hold you back! Plus, you'll be navigating a series of tunnels. Throw in the region's love for earthquakes, landslides, and ever-present traffic, and you've got yourself a ride to remember.
hardCan you drive to Sosneado Hotel?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventurers, buckle up for a wild ride to the eerie Hotel Termas de El Sosneado! Deep in the Mendoza Province of Argentina, this isn't your typical Sunday drive. Forget pavement, Provincial Route 220 is all about rocks, loose gravel, and maybe a little rubble for good measure. Oh, and did I mention the narrow wooden bridges, mud, and rivers of brown water you'll be splashing through? Starting near El Sosneado, this off-road adventure stretches nearly 60 km to the ruined hotel, perched beside the Atuel River. Trust me, you'll want a 4x4 for this one. You'll climb to over 2,000 meters above sea level! Built in 1938, this luxury hotel met its end after an avalanche in 1953. The main draw? Thermal spring pools fed by the nearby Overo volcano! Word is you can still take a dip. Locals whisper about it being a former Nazi hideout. Spooky, right? Set against the backdrop of the Andes, this trip will steal 2-3 hours of your day. Heads up: this road is usually impassable during winter. There are no services along the way, so pack a full tank of gas, food, and plenty of water. You've been warned!