The road to Abra Loncopata in Arequipa is pure adventure
Peru, south-america
128 km
5,100 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Abra Loncopata in the Arequipa region of Peru is calling your name. We're talking a whopping 5,100 meters (16,732 feet) above sea level – that's high! Nestled in the Reserva Cotahuasi, this unpaved beauty, also known as AR-105, stretches for 128 km (almost 80 miles) of pure, unadulterated, north-to-south Peruvian bliss, connecting Road 111 to Puica.
Prepare for some serious steepness! We’re talking gradients hitting 20% – your vehicle (and your lungs!) will definitely feel it. And the best part? You'll likely have this epic road all to yourself. Just be sure to pack smart: water, food, extra fuel, a warm jacket (altitude, remember!), and reliable GPS and maps are essential. Oh, and did I mention the scenery? Get ready for views that'll blow your mind! Seriously, this is a journey you won't soon forget.
Where is it?
The road to Abra Loncopata in Arequipa is pure adventure is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.8799, -74.7504
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 128 km
- Max Elevation
- 5,100 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -7.8799, -74.7504
Related Roads in south-america
extremeA hairy paved road to Anticona Pass in the Andes
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Anticona, a seriously high-altitude pass in the Peruvian Andes, straddling the Lima and Junin regions! We're talking 4,824m (15,826ft) above sea level – that's higher than most clouds! It's often mistakenly called the highest paved road in South America, but regardless, it's a wild ride. You'll find it snaking through the Cordillera Central on the Carretera Central (Ruta 22), all nicely paved. At the top, there's even a little bar and parking spot to soak in the views! The whole shebang is about 37.4 km (23 miles) from Casapalca heading east to the JU-102 road. Now, don't think this is a Sunday drive. This road is steep, twisty, and full of surprises. Think hairpin bends, crazy amounts of trucks and buses, landslides, and llamas randomly running across the road. Cyclists should probably skip this one for safety reasons. Oh, and the weather? Expect the unexpected! Give yourself around an hour to conquer it. The peak, also called Ticlio Pass or Nevado de Ticlio, marks the spot where South America splits, with rivers flowing to either the Pacific or Atlantic.
moderateMamuil Malal Pass: a border road in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Let me tell you about Paso Mamuil Malal, also known as Paso Tromen, a totally awesome international mountain pass chilling at 1,253m (4,111ft) between Chile and Argentina. You'll find this gem hanging out north of the Lanín Volcano, connecting the Araucanía Region in Chile with the Neuquén Province in Argentina. Pro tip: double-check the time zones at the tourist offices before you go, because Chile loves to switch things up seasonally! The road stretches for about 85 km (53 miles) from Curarrehue in Chile to Malleo in Argentina. On the Chilean side, Ruta CH-199 will get you started from the Pan-American Highway near Freire, and it's been fully paved since 2017 - smooth sailing! Once you cross into Argentina, you'll be cruising on Ruta 60. Heads up: the final 12 km (7.5 miles) to the pass are unpaved, but word on the street is they're planning to change that. Keep in mind that this pass can get snowy in the winter, so closures are possible, and snow chains are a must during those colder months. All that said, the views high up in the Andes are absolutely unforgettable!
hardDriving the challenging 365 turns of Ruta del Año in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're anywhere near the Chilean border in western Argentina, you HAVE to check out Ruta Provincial 52. Locals call it "Ruta del Año" - Route of the Year - and trust me, it lives up to the hype. Located in the Las Heras department, northwest of Mendoza Province, this bad boy is a winding, unpaved masterpiece stretching for about 94 km (58 miles) from Uspallata. Forget speeding - you'll be lucky to hit 30 km/h on this curvy, mountainous track! Think you can handle 365 turns? Most are hairpin, so buckle up if you get car sick easily! The views are insane, seriously some of the most dramatic scenery you'll find anywhere in the region. This route climbs high into the Andes, peaking at a breathtaking 2,960m (9,711ft) above sea level at Cruz de Paramillo. Word of warning: avoid this road between July and October as it can get super dicey. The road leads to Villavicencio, an abandoned resort spa nestled in a protected ecological area. Even though the spa has been closed for decades, the thermal waters still flow, and you can wander through the gardens and check out the old chapel. Definitely worth a stop!
hardA memorable road trip to Refugio Chiles
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the Carchi province of Ecuador, nestled high in the Cordillera Occidental de los Andes, you'll find the abandoned Refugio Chiles (Ángel Cerón) at a whopping 4,142m (13,589ft) altitude. Getting there is an adventure in itself! Forget smooth asphalt; this is a bumpy, unpaved gravel road, carved and shaped by rain. Expect dust clouds in dry weather and mud baths when it's wet. A 4WD with high clearance is a MUST. Seriously, make sure your rig is in tip-top shape, because the altitude will definitely make it work for its supper. Oh, and keep an eye out for the tall antenna up there. This remote road hugs the southern slopes of the Chiles volcano, right on the border of Colombia and Ecuador, so fuel up before you go. Weather can be a real factor here—expect fog, rain, cold, and mist. It's exposed and pretty steep, gaining 64 meters over its 628-meter length. That's an average gradient of 10.66%! Before you head out, check with locals about safety in this isolated region. The scenery, if you catch it between the clouds, is absolutely stunning.