The dangerous road to Caranavi is not for the faint of heart

The dangerous road to Caranavi is not for the faint of heart

Bolivia, south-america

Length

61.7 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in the Bolivian Yungas, near the infamous Death Road, lies the road to Caranavi, and let me tell you, it's an adventure! Picture this: a mostly dirt track clinging to the mountainside, barely wide enough for one vehicle, with a raging river on one side and sheer drops on the other.

This isn’t a Sunday drive. We're talking serious pucker-factor here. Expect heavy traffic, blind corners, and a road that laughs in the face of rain. One wrong move and… well, let's just say you don't want to find out.

Stretching for about 62 kilometers (38 miles) from Coroico to Caranavi, this section of Ruta Nacional 3 is a wild ride through breathtaking (and slightly terrifying) scenery. Mountains, cliffs, and precipices abound. Just keep your eyes on the road, because you definitely don’t want to miss the next turn!

Where is it?

The dangerous road to Caranavi is not for the faint of heart is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -16.4884, -63.5726

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Bolivia
Continent
south-america
Length
61.7 km
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-16.4884, -63.5726

Related Roads in south-america

Is Paso de los Libertadores paved?hard

Is Paso de los Libertadores paved?

🇨🇱 Chile

Straddling the border between Chile and Argentina, high in the Andes, is Paso Internacional Los Libertadores – a truly unforgettable drive. This fully paved route, known as Ruta 60 (Chile) and Ruta Nacional 7 (Argentina), winds its way to the Cristo Redentor tunnel, a 3km passage drilled right through the mountains at over 3,100 meters. The border crossing sits below the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, perched even higher at nearly 4,000 meters! This pass is the main artery connecting Santiago, Chile, with Argentina's Mendoza region. Be warned: winter snows often shut the pass down due to heavy snowfall and potential rockfalls. Even when open, patience and skill are essential. The Argentinian side offers a relatively gentle climb through stunning mountain landscapes, but the Chilean side? Buckle up! Ruta 60 is a wild ride of hairpin turns, clinging to the mountainside. The section known as "Los Caracoles" (the snails) is a series of steep, tight switchbacks, so perfectly formed they resemble a refrigerator coil from above. Heavy truck traffic can create bottlenecks, adding to the challenge. But persevere, and you'll be rewarded with breathtaking views of the snaking road below and, if the weather is clear, Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America. Despite the challenging conditions, the pass has a decent safety record, but caution is always necessary. Snow and ice are common, and guardrails are absent in many places. Yet, year-round, you'll find cargo trucks and even double-decker buses braving the route.

Abra Chucopampaextreme

Abra Chucopampa

🇵🇪 Peru

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! I just tackled Abra Chucopampa, and let me tell you, it's a BEAST. This insane mountain pass in the Cajamarca region of Peru clocks in at a whopping 4,858m (15,938ft) above sea level. The climb? Absolutely brutal. We're talking long stretches with gradients over 10%, so make sure your vehicle is ready for a workout. And heads up: if it's rained recently, the summit can get seriously muddy. Be prepared for challenging conditions, especially after even a little rainfall. This road climbs 1,900m! Avalanches, snow, and landslides are real possibilities and icy patches can be super dangerous. While the initial climb has a decent surface and manageable gradients, don't get too comfy! The last 6km are a different story: extremely rocky, steep, and unforgiving. The whole route's remote and beautiful, but with the bumpy, dirty surface, this one definitely isn't a walk in the park.

Where is Caliz Pass?hard

Where is Caliz Pass?

🇵🇪 Peru

Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Peru, you NEED to experience Paso Caliz. We're talking about a seriously high mountain pass, topping out at 5,206 meters (that's 17,080 feet!). You'll find it nestled between the Canchis and Quispicanchi provinces, deep in the Cusco Region, practically breathing the same air as the Quelccaya Glacier. Word to the wise: this road is NO JOKE. It's about 50 kilometers (31 miles) of pure, unadulterated, unpaved Andean adventure. Think killer drop-offs, super tight hairpin turns that will test your driving skills, and sections so steep you'll swear you're going vertical. Oh, and did I mention the altitude? You're gonna feel the thin air up there, so be prepared for some potential altitude sickness! This epic route, also known as Abra de Caliz or Abra Laccopata, runs from Marcapata (off Carretera 30C) down to CU-125 Road. Winter's a no-go—the snow makes it completely impassable. But if you hit it right, you're in for a visual feast. Just imagine yourself winding through the Cordillera Vilcanota range, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and mind-blowing scenery. Trust me, it's an unforgettable journey!

Where is the TA-104 Road?extreme

Where is the TA-104 Road?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, picture this: the TA-104 in southern Peru – a real-deal Andean adventure! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a regional route that’ll test your driving skills as you weave through a stark, volcanic wonderland. So, where exactly is this epic road? It slices right through the mountains of the Tacna Region, connecting Puquina and Salinas Moche. Get ready to climb because you'll hit some serious altitude, maxing out at over 4,000 meters above sea level. This is hardcore desert terrain – think steep canyons and sky-high ridges. Now, about the road itself: mostly unpaved, baby! Expect a narrow track of gravel and dust carved straight into the mountainside, where the rock walls love to crumble a bit. The most intense part? When the road hugs the northern shore of Laguna Aricota. Here, it gets seriously narrow, clinging to the cliff with absolutely no guardrails between you and the deep blue water below. Talk about zero margin for error! What makes this drive so challenging? First, those hairpin turns are insane as you climb the desert ridges. Precision steering is a must, especially when you meet local traffic on the tightest bends. It's just you, a sheer rock face on one side, and a vertical drop on the other. Plus, the unpaved surface can get dusty, and if the coastal mist rolls in, it can get slippery. Hazards? Oh, we got hazards! That lakeside section is a serious head-spinner. The gravel can be unstable, and with the water right there, one wrong move, and you're swimming. Watch out for falling rocks and small landslides, too! A high-clearance vehicle is a MUST. And whatever you do, stick to daylight driving. With zero lighting and those crazy drop-offs, night driving is a straight-up no-go. Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!