Take An Unforgettable Drive to Cañon del Rio Mala
Peru, south-america
92.5 km
2,755 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies! Central Peru is calling, and it's bringing the heat with the Mala River Canyon. This isn't your Sunday drive – we're talking about a road that demands your full attention, a true test of driving mettle.
Think twisty, turny, 92.5 km of mostly gravel mayhem along Highway 1S. It's gorgeous, no doubt, but also seriously narrow and not for the faint of heart. We're talking hairpin curves and unprotected drop-offs plunging over 200 meters down into the abyss! One wrong move and… well, let's just say this road has a reputation for a reason.
You'll climb from the Mala District at sea level to the Huarochirí District at a breathtaking 2,755m. The views? Epic. The challenge? Real. The road condition? Dreadful. So, if you're up for an adrenaline-pumping ride and have nerves of steel, the Mala River Canyon awaits. Just remember to keep your eyes on the road and respect the canyon – it's a wild ride you won't soon forget!
Where is it?
Take An Unforgettable Drive to Cañon del Rio Mala is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.7537, -75.2493
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 92.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 2,755 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -7.7537, -75.2493
Related Roads in south-america
extremeLaguna Chuspi
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're in Peru and craving some serious altitude with killer views, you HAVE to check out Laguna Chuspi. We're talking a sky-high lake sitting at a whopping 14,419 feet! Getting there is half the fun... or maybe half the terror, depending on your driving skills. You'll be tackling Route 120, and trust me, it's not for the faint of heart. Think gravel, super narrow stretches, and mud – especially after it rains! A 4x4 isn't just recommended; it's practically mandatory. But wait, there's more! Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting with potential avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides. Oh, and did I mention the ice patches? Yeah, be extra careful. The climb is brutal, and the air gets thin. Seriously, that lack of oxygen is a beast. And altitude sickness? Most people start feeling it way before you even reach the lake, around 8,000-9,000 feet. But the views? Absolutely worth it. Just be prepared for a wild ride!
hardTravel guide to the top of Cerro Pabellón
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Cerro Pabellón! This insane gravel road winds its way up to a staggering 4,647 meters (that's 15,246 feet!) in the heart of Chile's Atacama Desert. We're talking serious altitude, people. You'll find this beast in the Ollagüe district of the Antofagasta region. Prepare yourself for a tough climb through seriously remote landscapes. This isn't a Sunday drive! Pack plenty of water, snacks, extra gas, warm layers, and reliable GPS/maps because you're going to need them. The road surface? Let's just say it's "rustic" with some crazy steep pitches. But the views of the Andean Highlands are unreal. The air gets thin as you climb, so be aware of altitude sickness (most people start feeling it around 2,500-2,800 meters), and oxygen gets scarce near the top. Oh, and when you finally reach the summit, you'll find a geothermal power plant. Talk about a unique photo op!
hardLaguna Llaviucu
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Okay, picture this: you're in the Andes Mountains of southern Ecuador, heading to Laguna Llaviucu. This ain't your average Sunday drive, folks! We're talking a high-altitude lake sitting pretty at 10,393 feet! The road to get there? Well, let's just say it's an adventure. Think gravel, rocks, and grass all rolled into one bumpy ride. Seriously, this baby's narrow! Forget about passing another car – you'll be playing a game of who can squeeze by best. And if it's been raining? Hoo boy, hold on tight. Mud and slick surfaces become your new best friends. Oh, and don't forget the classic Andean weather cocktail: fog, rain, cold, and mist. Afternoon showers are pretty much a daily thing here in Cajas National Park, so pack accordingly! But hey, the scenery? Absolutely worth it. Just be prepared for a wild ride!
extremeWhere is Pasamayo Serpentine?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Pasamayo Serpentín, a coastal road in Peru's Lima Province that's not for the faint of heart! This notorious stretch of highway winds between the districts of Aucallama and Ancón, hugging the cliffs between Huaral and Lima. Locals call it "Curva del Diablo," or the Devil's Curve, and trust me, it's earned the name. Imagine driving 22.6 km (14 miles) with zero safety fences, just a sheer drop of over 100 meters straight into the Pacific. Oh, and did I mention the dense fog that rolls in, especially between April and December, mixing with the constant humidity to create super-slippery conditions? Add in winds whipping sand across the pavement, and you've got a recipe for pure adrenaline! Originally carved out in 1940 from an old railway line dating back to the 1870s, this paved road (part of Carretera Nacional 001B) was meant for heavy vehicles. A new road, Ruta nacional PE-1, now bypasses it, but heavy traffic still braves the original route. The scenery is stunning – you're wedged between the ocean and the mountains – but keep your eyes on the road! Sadly, Pasamayo has a reputation for fatalities. It's especially treacherous at night, with low visibility, high humidity and slippery asphalt as it follows 52 endless turns. It's so infamous that it inspired a song, "Pasamayo Maldito," by the Peruvian rock group Nosequien y Los Nosecuantos. Definitely a road to approach with respect and caution!