The road to Abra de Acjanaco is not for timid drivers
Peru, south-america
N/A
3,502 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra de Acjanaco in Peru's Paucartambo province! This mountain pass tops out at a whopping 3,502 meters (11,489 feet), so get ready for some serious altitude.
The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think unpaved, narrow, and relentlessly steep. Snowfall can shut it down in a heartbeat, and the frequent heavy mist makes visibility a real challenge. Plus, avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides are a constant threat, especially with those sneaky patches of ice. The oxygen gets thin up there, so be prepared to feel the burn! Altitude sickness can kick in for many people around 2,500-2,800 meters, so take it slow and listen to your body. But the views? Totally worth the challenge!
Where is it?
The road to Abra de Acjanaco is not for timid drivers is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -8.8761, -74.8318
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 3,502 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -8.8761, -74.8318
Related Roads in south-america
hardTravelling Through Ruta 27 (CH-27) in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, picture this: you're cruising on Ruta 27 in northern Chile, smack-dab in the Andes. This isn't your average Sunday drive, though. We're talking a serious high-altitude adventure across a wild, arid plateau. This two-lane paved beauty stretches for 156 kilometers (97 miles), linking San Pedro de Atacama to Argentina via Paso de Jama. It's a fairly new route, fully paved since 2005, but don't let that fool you into thinking it's a breeze. Prepare for steep climbs and some challenging conditions, especially those strong, dry winds and the blazing sun! Sunglasses, H2O, and a couple of spare tires are absolute must-haves. Oh, and did I mention the altitude? You'll be hitting some serious heights, topping out at Portezuelo Paranal, a mountain pass sitting pretty at a breathtaking 4,832 meters (15,853 feet). That makes it one of South America's highest paved roads. Buckle up and get ready for an unforgettable ride!
hardHighest roads of Bolivia
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Bolivia, a South American giant the size of California and Texas put together, is a land of extremes! Think Himalayas-level mountains but smack-dab in the Andes. This country's got it all: sky-high peaks, the desolate Altiplano plateau, and crazy-steep, humid valleys. If you're a driver seeking adventure, you're in the right place. Prepare for some seriously high-altitude driving, with roads that hug cliff faces and hairpin turns that will make your jaw drop. You'll find some of the highest, most remote, and utterly breathtaking mountain passes you could ever imagine on this continent. Some top contenders for epic drives include the Portezuelo Sairécabur, the road to Minas San Pablo Lipez, the international Chungara-Tambo Quemado Pass, and tackling Ollague Volcano—one of South America's highest routes. Get ready for the ride of your life!
extremePortezuelo de Guaitiquina: Driving the remote 4,288m border pass
🇦🇷 Argentina
Ready for an off-the-beaten-path adventure? Portezuelo de Guaitiquina, a whopping 4,288m (14,068ft) high, straddles the Chile-Argentina border, offering a wild and solitary experience unlike the busier Paso de Sico. This route carves through the stunning, high-altitude deserts of the Andes, connecting Chile's Antofagasta Region with Argentina's Salta Province. This pass links you from the area near San Pedro de Atacama in northern Chile all the way to the village of Catua in Argentina. The road itself is about 58.1 km (36.1 miles) from the B-357 junction in Chile to the border with Salta. Think stark beauty: salt flats, dramatic volcanic peaks, and endless horizons. It’s a forgotten corner, so prepare for minimal traffic and a whole lot of silence. Yep, it's all gravel. Known as RP37 in Chile, it morphs into an unnamed track on the Argentine side leading to Catua. Be warned, this climb is steep! And the thin air will definitely put your engine to the test. Rain turns the gravel into a slippery mess, making those inclines extra challenging. While technically open to all vehicles, a high-clearance 4WD is your best bet for dealing with the washboarding and sand drifts. The altitude is the biggest challenge here. At 4,288 meters, altitude sickness is a real possibility. Acclimatize properly! But there's another, more hidden danger: landmines. Parts of this border area were mined back in the 70s. While areas near the main road have been cleared, it's crucial to stick to the track and avoid wandering off into the desert. If you're crossing the border here, it's usually open from 8 am to 6 pm. But, because it's so remote, hours can change without warning due to weather or staffing. The climate is arid but can get brutally cold fast. Strong winds are common, and winter can bring snow and ice. Pack extra fuel, water, and cold-weather gear because help is a long way off, and cell service is non-existent.
extremeSinga-Yunguilla Road is definitely not a “Sunday drive”
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in central Peru, you'll find the Singa-Yunguilla road – and trust me, it's an adventure. Forget guardrails; on much of this high mountain road, it's just you and a sheer drop of hundreds of meters. Not exactly a joyride for the faint of heart! This wild stretch is part of the gravel Carretera 14A, clocking in at 126 km with a whopping 60 hairpin turns. It's a true test of skill and nerve, especially if you're not a fan of heights or landslides. But hey, at least your tires will be treated to incredible mountain views – if you can keep your eyes on the road! Connecting Singa (Huanuco) and Yunguilla (Ancash), this beast climbs to a dizzying 3,874m above sea level. Be warned: snow can shut it down anytime, and heavy mist can turn visibility to zero. The climb is brutal, the air gets thin, and altitude sickness is common above 2,500 meters. Near the top, oxygen is scarce, so take it easy! One slip, and… well, let's just say it's a long way down.