Take the Scenic Route and Discover Abra de Lares in Cusco
Peru, south-america
56 km
4,443 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers! Let's talk about Abra de Lares, a crazy-high mountain pass chilling at 14,576 feet in the Cusco Region of Peru.
This road is a proper Andean adventure. It's paved, sure, but super narrow – think "squeeze-by-another-car" narrow. We're talking hairpin turns galore and massive drop-offs with zero guardrails. Definitely not one for the faint of heart, and avoid it completely if it's raining.
This 34.7-mile stretch from Calca to Laris will take you about 1.5 to 2.5 hours of non-stop driving. It's a relentless climb, hitting gradients of up to 10% in places, so get ready for some seriously steep sections. But the views? Absolutely worth it. Prepare for scenery that will blow your mind!
Where is it?
Take the Scenic Route and Discover Abra de Lares in Cusco is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -10.6874, -75.6022
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 56 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,443 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -10.6874, -75.6022
Related Roads in south-america
moderateRuta 40
🇦🇷 Argentina
# The Ultimate Argentine Road Trip: Ruta Nacional 40 If you're looking for one of the most epic road trips on the planet, Ruta Nacional 40 is it. This legendary highway stretches over 5,000 kilometers from Cabo Virgenes at the very tip of Patagonia all the way up to La Quiaca on the Bolivian border. Running the entire length of Argentina's western edge alongside the Andes, it's an absolute masterpiece of a drive that passes through 20 national parks, crosses 18 rivers, and takes you over 236 bridges. You'll experience landscapes that range from the wild, windswept steppe of Patagonia to otherworldly high-altitude deserts in the Puna. The southern Patagonian section? That's where things get *real*. This is the most notorious and challenging part of the route—endless stretches of emptiness with hardly a soul around. Fuel stations are few and far between, sometimes separated by hundreds of kilometers, and the famous Patagonian winds will seriously test your driving skills with gusts that can hit over 100 km/h. The road itself is a mixed bag of smooth paved sections and rough gravel, especially once you venture into the really remote southern territories. The stretch between El Chalten and Perito Moreno is some of the most isolated drivable terrain you'll find anywhere in South America. Head north and the scenery completely transforms. You'll wind through Mendoza's stunning wine country with perfectly manicured vineyards and the snow-topped Andes looming dramatically in the distance. Push further north into the Puna's high desert, and the elevation starts climbing seriously—you'll reach over 5,000 meters at Abra del Acay, one of the highest points on any national highway in the world. Plan on two to three weeks to tackle the whole thing. Trust us, it's a bucket-list road trip you won't forget.
hardDriving the RN149 to Abra del Colorado in San Juan
🇦🇷 Argentina
Hey adventure seekers! Let me tell you about Abra del Colorado, a must-see mountain pass in Argentina's San Juan Province. Picture this: you're cruising along at 2,629m (8,625ft), surrounded by the raw beauty of the Andes. This isn't just any drive; it's a key route connecting the Iglesia and Calingasta valleys, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the towering Andean peaks. The landscape here is something else – a dry, almost Martian terrain with reddish soil that gives the area its name, "Colorado." You'll be driving on Ruta Nacional 149 (RN149), a smooth, fully paved road that stretches for 88.3 km (54.86 miles) from Bella Vista towards the junction with the RP436, en route to Talacasto. Now, a word of caution: you're in high mountain territory. Keep an eye out for sudden gusts of wind—the notorious Zonda can really test your driving skills! Cyclists, take note! This pass is legendary, the ultimate stage of the Vuelta a San Juan. Even if you're not a pro, you'll feel like one as you tackle this climb. The gradients are forgiving, mostly around 5-6%, but it's the sheer length and the desert heat that'll challenge you. The final 15 kilometers are the stuff of legends, winding through a rocky canyon before you finally reach that high-altitude plateau. Trust me, the sense of accomplishment is unreal! For drivers and cyclists, this climb is an epic experience, a unique taste of the Argentinian Andes that you won't soon forget.
hardCuesta de Miranda
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, road trip fans! We're heading to Argentina's La Rioja Province for a ride on the Cuesta de Miranda. This baby climbs to a cool 2,020 meters (that's 6,627 feet!) and is totally paved, so no need for a monster truck. You'll cruise along Ruta Nacional Nº 40, a legendary route that slices through Argentina. This stretch of road took about 10 years to build back in the day, and was finally fully paved in 2015. You'll be hugging the Miranda River, but listen up: weather here can be a beast. Avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are a real threat, and ice patches are super common. So keep an eye on the forecast and maybe avoid this one when things get dicey. Prepare for a twisty, turny adventure that keeps you on your toes.
extremeNavigating Ollague Volcano: An Epic Journey on One of South America's Highest Roads
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Volcán Ollagüe! This massive Andean stratovolcano straddling the Chile-Bolivia border is not just a sight to behold, it's a climbable BEAST, clocking in at a staggering 5,868m (19,251ft) above sea level. This is seriously high-altitude driving! We're talking about a proper old-school, unpaved mine road on the volcano's northern flank. Forget guardrails; this is raw, rugged terrain. This extreme road tops out at 5,705m (18,717ft). You'll need a high-clearance 4x4 for this adventure. Trust me, this isn't a Sunday drive – this is a test of your off-roading mettle, with hairpin after hairpin and dizzying drops right next to the tires. Starting from the charmingly remote village of Ollagüe in Chile, the road winds its way up 24.7km (15.34 miles) to the summit. Get ready for 35 tight hairpin turns and an average gradient of 8.04%. That's one seriously steep climb. Keep a close eye on the weather, though. This area's known for sudden storms, avalanches, snow, and landslides, especially in January and February. Plus, even though Ollagüe hasn't erupted in recorded history, it's still got some serious fumarole action, with a constant plume of steam rising from the summit. And a HUGE word of caution: if you've got respiratory or heart issues, or you're prone to altitude sickness, this drive is NOT for you. The air is thin, REALLY thin. The oxygen level up there is about 40% lower than at sea level, so breathing is a chore, your pulse will be racing, and even simple movements will feel like a workout. The views? Absolutely mind-blowing. The challenge? Seriously intense.