Where is Punta Olimpica in Peru?
Peru, south-america
2 km
4,732 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Wanna tackle one of the highest paved roads in Peru? Then get yourself to Ancash and check out Punta Olimpica. This insane route climbs to a whopping 4,732m (15,525ft) within Huascarán National Park!
You’ll be cruising (mostly) on Ruta Departamental AN-107, a paved road, but don't get too comfy. There's a short unpaved section and the infamous "Sector de las Mil Curvas" (1000 turns section). That's 26km of pure hairpin madness with 46 turns! Seriously, your steering wheel will be screaming.
The views, though? Totally worth it. We're talking jaw-dropping panoramas of Huascaran, Peru’s highest mountain. Just keep an eye on that altitude – it's steep, with gradients up to 6.3%.
This epic road stretches for 76.2km (47.34 miles) from Carhuaz to San Martín de Chacas. The highlight? The Punta Olimpica Tunnel, a 1,384-meter (0.860 miles) long engineering marvel at a crazy altitude. Before the tunnel, there was the old Punta Olimpica road, still there near the summit.
Word of warning: this isn't a drive to take lightly. The air is thin, so acclimatize or grab some altitude sickness meds. Keep an eye on the weather too; this high in the Cordillera Blanca, the road can close during rainy and snowy times. But if you're up for the challenge, Punta Olimpica promises an unforgettable Andean adventure!
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 2 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,732 m
- Difficulty
- hard
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