
The Road with Never-Ending Hairpin Turns to Laguna Yanco in Peru
Peru, south-america
66.7 km
4,444 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Laguna Yanco! This insanely gorgeous high-altitude lagoon sits way up in the Peruvian Andes, at a staggering 14,580 feet. Getting there? That's half the adventure.
Forget pavement; this is a 41.44-mile dirt track stretching from Punta Callán to Coris, and let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart! We're talking narrow stretches, seriously dicey conditions after rain, and hairpin turns. Oh, the hairpin turns! Seriously, there are over 100 of these bad boys, sometimes stacked back-to-back with hardly any straight road in between. But trust me, the views are worth every white-knuckle moment. This is raw, untamed Peru at its finest.
Where is it?
The Road with Never-Ending Hairpin Turns to Laguna Yanco in Peru is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.8268, -77.1633
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 66.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,444 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -9.8268, -77.1633
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhere is Ruta del Año?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Get ready for Ruta Provincial 52 in western Argentina, near the Chilean border! Locals call it "Ruta del Año" – Route of the Year – and trust me, it lives up to the name. This baby throws 365 curves at you, and most are hairpin turns. You’ll find it snaking through the Las Heras department, nestled in the northwest corner of Mendoza Province. It’s about 93.7 km (58 miles) of pure, unadulterated adventure from Uspallata to Mendoza. Now, here’s the thing: it's unpaved but generally doable in most cars. Just don't expect to break any speed records; you'll be lucky to hit 30 km/h. But trust me, you won't want to rush. The scenery is mind-blowing! However, maybe skip this one between July and October as it can get seriously dicey. This mountain road climbs to a lofty 2,960m (9,711ft), so be prepared for those high-altitude views! The road ultimately leads you to Villavicencio, a cool old resort spa north of Mendoza with thermal waters and garden paths. The resort is currently unused, but it adds character to your journey. If you can handle the twists and turns, this is one drive you won't soon forget.
hardConquering the scenic Y290 road in the Chilean Patagonia
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, picture this: You're cruising along Carretera Y290 in Chilean Patagonia, straddling Torres de Paine and Última Esperanza with Argentina just a stone's throw away. This road is a total hidden gem! Most of the 70.3 km (43.68 miles) is paved, making it doable in pretty much any car when it's dry. It connects the main paved highway CH-9 with the dirt road Y-150. Budget around 1.5 to 2 hours without stops, but trust me, you'll want to stop! This is the Camino Milodon Porteño (or Carretera Cueva del Milodon, if you prefer!) and the scenery is absolutely unreal. Just remember, you're heading into the wild, so come prepared. The road gets seriously steep in places, climbing up to 255m (836ft) at Mirador Grey. Winter can be intense, so chains are a good idea. Honestly, the sweet spot is December to February – that's when Southern Hemisphere summer kicks in, and the weather's at its best for an epic road trip.
extremeIs the coastal road from Caldera to Huasco paved?
🇨🇱 Chile
Cruising the Chilean Coast: Caldera to Huasco Escape to the Atacama Region of Chile for an unforgettable coastal adventure! This north-south route stretches approximately [insert approximate length from map] from [Caldera] to [Huasco], hugging the Pacific coastline. The road is fully paved. Prepare for a warm, extremely dry climate thanks to its location on the edge of the Atacama Desert. However, the coastal breeze offers some respite. Keep an eye out for the occasional floods. The scenery is simply breathtaking, so make sure your camera is charged! Get ready for an amazing drive!
hardLaguna Jochauma
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just discovered Laguna Jochauma, a super-remote lagoon chilling way up at 4,947 meters (that's over 16,000 feet!) in the Arequipa Region of Peru. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking deep into the Andes, in the Wansu range. The road? Let's just say "unpaved" is an understatement. You'll definitely want a 4x4 for this trek. Fair warning: winter can make the whole thing impassable. And even when it's not winter, be prepared for some serious weather. The altitude, combined with strong winds and crazy-fast weather changes, can be brutal. Seriously, if you've got any kind of heart or breathing issues, maybe skip this one. But if you're up for a true off-the-beaten-path experience with views that'll blow your mind (and maybe your hat off!), Laguna Jochauma is calling your name.