Where Is Abra Antajirca?
Peru, south-america
N/A
N/A
hard
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Peru, right in the heart of the Andes, staring up at Abra Antajirca (or Cerro Pirhua Jirca, if you're feeling fancy). This mountain pass straddling the Lima and Pasco regions is seriously remote.
We're talking unpaved roads that wind and twist like crazy. The whole route is a rollercoaster of tight turns, super-narrow bits, and seriously steep climbs. Oh, and did I mention the dramatic drop-offs? Yikes! You'll also cross the Puente Upamayo - a high mountain bridge.
At its peak, you're way up there in the clouds. Of course, being that high means battling crazy weather. Winter can be brutal, and even in the summer, be ready for intense winds and sudden weather flips. Altitude sickness is a real risk, too. Basically, getting here is a challenge, but the views? Totally worth it! And keep an eye out for the tiny chapel at the summit. Talk about a photo op!
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
moderateRoad D-447
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're cruising through Chile's Coquimbo Region, specifically Elqui Province, you HAVE to check out Carretera D-447. This isn't your typical paved paradise – think gravel roads stretching for 41 kilometers. A high-clearance 2WD vehicle should be fine if you take it slow and steady, especially when the road's dry. Keep in mind this track can turn into a mudslide after it rains. Seriously, it can get super slippery. After a big storm, you might not even be able to pass through, even with a 4x4. This route links the town of Andacollo with the D-457 road. Overall, it’s a beautiful drive!
extremeIs the road to Caranavi difficult?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, buckle up thrill-seekers, because the road to Caranavi, a little town nestled in the Yungas region of Bolivia, is a WILD ride! You'll find Caranavi not too far from the tourist-magnet city of La Paz, but getting there is half the adventure (or maybe the whole adventure, depending on your perspective!). Forget smooth asphalt – this 61.7 km (38.33 miles) stretch, a section of Ruta Nacional 3 heading south-north from Coroico, is mostly unpaved and seriously narrow. We're talking clinging-to-the-side-of-a-mountain narrow, with some seriously scary drop-offs right next to you. Oh, and did I mention the constant traffic? This road is basically carved into the mountainside, hugging a river the whole way. It’s incredibly challenging after it rains. One wrong move and… well, let's just say you really, REALLY don't want to make a wrong move. So, if you're planning a trip, make sure you're prepared for some serious driving.
extremeCuesta de Zapata
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Cuesta de Zapata, a wild ride through the Belén department of Catamarca Province, Argentina! This old section of Ruta 40 climbs to a dizzying 1,907m (6,256ft) and is not for the faint of heart. Seriously, this road has a reputation. It's a shortcut from Tinogasta to Route 40 (saving about 40km), but it's been bypassed by the new RN40 for a reason. While technically closed to motor vehicles, locals still brave it. Picture this: a super narrow gravel and rock road clinging to the mountainside with insane drop-offs – we're talking potentially thousands of feet straight down. No guardrails, loose rocks, and the constant threat of landslides when it's wet. You'll need serious driving skills, patience, and a good handle on your fear of heights. Keep in mind it is very intense because there is little room for error if oncoming traffic swerves in your direction. The scenery, if you dare to glance, is absolutely stunning, but keep your eyes on the road!
extremeThe paved road from Balzas to Celendin in northern Peru is not an easy drive
🇵🇪 Peru
Located in the region of Cajamarca, in the northern part of Peru, the road from Balzas to CelendÃn tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. Hair raising stuff. There is absolutely no room for mistakes. The road, part of the 8B Road, was recently paved. The surface of the road is in really good condition. It’s 56.2 km (35 miles) long and features more than 200 curves, with 34 hairpin turns. It’s definitely not for anyone suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides. At times the road is so narrow, with a 1000m drop off on one side and a sheer cliff rising the other, that at the corners the back wheel will be half off the edge. The road is very steep. It starts at Balzas, in the province of Chachapoyas, at an elevation of 854m above sea level and ends at CelendÃn, capital of the province CelendÃn, at 2.643m above sea level. It’s incredibly disorienting to look over the edge, or even just to see the valleys a couple thousand feet below you. The elevation gain of the road is 1.789m and the average gradient is 3,19 %, with some sections up to 7%. There are sheer drops virtually along the entire route and enough hairpins to make a whirling dervish dizzy. Road suggested by: Hugh Wilson Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our interactive map to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click here to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.