The Road from Pusac to Uchumarca is Recommended for Drivers with Strong Nerves

The Road from Pusac to Uchumarca is Recommended for Drivers with Strong Nerves

Peru, south-america

Length

34.1 km

Elevation

1,434 m

Difficulty

extreme

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up! Carretera Púsac-Uchumarca in the Bolívar Province of Peru is calling your name. This insane mountain road is definitely not for the faint of heart (or those prone to car sickness!).

Snaking through northern Peru, you'll start in Púsac at a cool 1,434m altitude and climb all the way up to Uchumarca at a staggering 3,684m. This unpaved beauty is a narrow, steep, and winding 34.1 km (21.18 miles) carved into the side of a seriously steep mountain. Think dramatic drops of hundreds of meters – without guardrails!

The real kicker? A 4.9 km (3 mile) stretch packed with 16 hairpin turns that will make your head spin. You'll gain 454m in elevation in this section alone, with gradients hitting a whopping 15%! But, oh my, the views! Absolutely stunning. Just a word of warning: avoid this one if the weather looks dodgy. Seriously.

Where is it?

The Road from Pusac to Uchumarca is Recommended for Drivers with Strong Nerves is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.2726, -75.8645

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Length
34.1 km
Max Elevation
1,434 m
Difficulty
extreme
Coordinates
-7.2726, -75.8645

Related Roads in south-america

How long is Ruta Nacional 5 in Chile?extreme

How long is Ruta Nacional 5 in Chile?

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, picture this: Ruta Nacional 5, Chile's mega-route stretching a wild 3,337 km (2073 miles) from the Peruvian border all the way down to Quellón on Chiloé Island! It's the country's longest road, slicing through some seriously diverse landscapes and even ducking through four tunnels – El Melón, La Calavera I & II, and Angostura. Now, let's be real – not all parts of this epic route are created equal. That stretch between Arica and Iquique? Yeah, it's got a reputation. We're talking a simple two-lane road, paved, with a 100 km/h (62 mph) speed limit. Sounds chill, right? Wrong. It snakes through deep valleys with seriously steep drops and desolate desert scenery. The landscape is stark, almost aggressively bare, and can mess with your focus. Concentration is key because thick fog can roll in out of nowhere, slashing visibility to zero. It's easy to see how accidents happen. Plus, you're in the Atacama Desert, so the views, while striking, are super monotonous. Imagine hundreds of miles of emptiness! It's not uncommon to see roadside memorials – a sobering reminder. Distances between gas stations are also a challenge, and strong winds are notorious for throwing vehicles off course. In short: stay alert, stay focused, and keep both hands on the wheel!

Where is El Aguilar?moderate

Where is El Aguilar?

🇦🇷 Argentina

Alright, adventure seekers, listen up! I've got the inside scoop on a crazy road trip to El Aguilar, a seriously high-altitude town nestled in the Jujuy Province of Argentina, practically spitting distance from Bolivia. This place is a real gem, where life revolves around mining and the air is thin. The road in, oh boy, it's a doozy! We're talking about 45.4 km of pure Argentinian backroad bliss, also known as Ex Ruta Nacional 40. Prepare for a bone-rattling, bumpy ride through the Puna Jujeña, a truly wild landscape in the Andes. Get ready for some spectacular scenery, but keep your eyes peeled – this road demands your full attention! Just remember you are climbing to some of the highest altitudes in Argentina.

Where is Abra del Lizoite?extreme

Where is Abra del Lizoite?

🇦🇷 Argentina

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra del Lizoite, a crazy-high mountain pass clinging to the spine of Argentina! We're talking a whopping 14,882 feet above sea level, making it one of the highest roads in the whole country. You'll find this beast out west, straddling the border between Salta and Jujuy provinces, way up north near the Chilean border. Forget smooth tarmac; this is a purely unpaved, rough-and-tumble ride. Picture endless curves and hairpin turns that'll test your driving skills (and maybe your stomach!). Seriously, bring your high-clearance vehicle; you'll need it. The route goes by Ruta Provincial 5 (RP5) in Jujuy and Ruta Provincial 7 (RP7) in Salta. The epic journey stretches for about 48 miles, running from the west near Mina Pirquitas in Jujuy, all the way east to San Antonio de los Cobres, a town perched at 12,359 feet in the northwest corner of Salta. Get ready for views that'll take your breath away and a drive you won't soon forget!

Abra Huarapascaextreme

Abra Huarapasca

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Punta Huarapasca, a seriously high mountain pass sitting pretty at 4,815m (15,797ft) in Peru's Huascarán National Park. This isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is gravel, with a few sandy surprises and some tight hairpin turns that'll keep you on your toes. It's steep, rough, and oh-so-rewarding with views of the Pastoruri and Huarapasca glaciers. Seriously, charge your camera because you'll also find fields of the massive Puya Raimondii flowers. Heads up, though: watch for sudden loose gravel patches. Rainy days? This road transforms into a beast. Even a little rain can make it super challenging or even impassable. The climb is killer, the air is thin, and the slopes are steep. Plus, it's known for unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards, making driving a real test of skill. Keep an eye out for the occasional mine vehicle too.