Where Is Chicarhuapunta?
Peru, south-america
141 km
4,289 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Chicarhuapunta in the Peruvian highlands! Perched way up in the Cordillera Blanca range in Huaylas Province, we're talking a whopping 4,289 meters (14,071 feet) above sea level.
This isn't your average Sunday drive. The 141km (88-mile) stretch from Pueblo Libre to Huambacho follows Carretera 104 (AN 104) and throws a mixed bag your way – paved bits and unpaved sections that will keep you on your toes. Oh, and potholes. Lots of them!
Get ready for a climb, because you'll be gaining 1,937 meters in elevation. That's an average gradient of around 5.94%, but don't get complacent – some spots crank up to a leg-burning 12%! But the views? Totally worth it.
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 141 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,289 m
- Difficulty
- hard
Related Roads in south-america
hardWhere is Alto de La Línea?
🇨🇴 Colombia
Okay, so picture this: Alto de La Línea, a mountain pass way up in the Colombian Andes, clocking in at a cool 3,271 meters (that's over 10,700 feet!). You'll find it straddling the Tolima and Quindío departments, right in the heart of the Cordillera Central. This fully paved road, also known as Ruta Nacional 40, stretches between Armenia and Ibagué. Word of warning: this road is no joke, so the Túnel de la Línea (a massive, almost 9 km long tunnel!) was built to bypass the roughest section. Think you're up for it? Be ready for constantly shifting weather, endless twists, and hairpin turns, not to mention sharing the road with a ton of big trucks. Oh, and did I mention it's steep? We're talking gradients up to 14% in some spots! It's known as the "Colombian Stelvio," a legendary climb that's been featured in major cycling races. The views are epic, but so is the traffic.
hardHow long is the road from Celendin to Yerbabuena?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for the Celendín-Yerbabuena road in the Cajamarca region of Peru! This isn't just a drive; it's an *experience*. We're talking a fully paved ribbon of tarmac stretching 163 kilometers (101 miles) between the towns of Celendín and Yerbabuena. But hold on, it's not all smooth sailing. Imagine impossibly narrow sections where it feels like your tires are flirting with the void – a sheer 1,000-meter drop on one side and a looming cliff on the other. Seriously, vertigo sufferers need not apply! There's a reason they call this a challenging drive. Think hundreds of hairpin turns clinging to the mountainside, and stunning vistas around every bend. But don't get *too* distracted by the scenery, because you'll need your full attention on the road. Expect some serious elevation changes, breathtaking scenery, and enough adrenaline to keep you buzzing for days. Just remember to breathe!
extremePacoorcco Pass
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up, adventure junkies, because Paso Pacoorcco in the Peruvian Andes is a wild ride! We're talking serious altitude here: 15,610 feet (4,758m), to be exact, nestled way up in the Moquegua Region. The road, also known as P'aqu Urqu or Carretera 104, is a gravel beast and seriously steep. Word to the wise: check the weather before you go! This area is known for unpredictable snowstorms and blizzards that can turn this epic drive into a white-knuckle nightmare. The climb is brutal, trust me. The air gets thin, real thin – expect to feel the altitude. You'll be pushing your limits as you grind your way to the top. But hey, you can't beat the scenery here, its remoteness, or the bragging rights. Just remember to take it slow and steady!
moderateDriving the international San Francisco Pass in the Andes
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, buckle up, adventurers! We're heading to Paso de San Francisco, a seriously epic international mountain pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border. We're talking sky-high – a whopping 15,616 feet above sea level! This beauty connects Argentina's Catamarca province with Chile's Atacama Region, carving right through the heart of the Andes. Think volcanoes, towering peaks, shimmering salt flats, and stunning lagoons as your backdrop. On the Argentina side, you'll be cruising on Ruta 60, a fully paved road stretching 125 miles from Fiambala. Get ready for some steep climbs and twisty turns as you wind your way up. Chile's side, Ruta CH-31, is also paved as of 2019! This stretch clocks in at about 174 miles from Copiapó. Along the way, you'll hug the Maricunga salt flat in Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and pass the unreal Laguna Verde.