Wiswillani Pass

Wiswillani Pass

Peru, south-america

Length

N/A

Elevation

4,807 m

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to the Arequipa Region of Peru and craving some serious off-road thrills, Paso Wiswillani (also known as Q'asa) is calling your name!

This beast of a mountain pass tops out at a whopping 4,807 meters (15,771 feet) above sea level. We're talking serious altitude here. The road itself? Well, let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and plenty of tippy sections along Route 34E. Think a good 4x4 is optional? Think again! You'll need it, especially if it's wet and muddy.

This isn't a joyride for Sunday drivers; it's a proper climb, and it's steep! But hey, if you're an experienced wheeler who loves a challenge and isn't afraid of heights, you'll be rewarded with incredible views of the desolate but beautiful Andean countryside. Just be aware that winter can make this pass totally impassable. Trust me, the views are worth the challenge!

Where is it?

Wiswillani Pass is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -11.0240, -75.4240

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Max Elevation
4,807 m
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-11.0240, -75.4240

Related Roads in south-america

Where is the Paramount logo mountain?hard

Where is the Paramount logo mountain?

🇵🇪 Peru

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in Peru's Huaylas Province, nestled within the Caraz District, lies a majestic peak: Artesonraju. Sound familiar? Some say this beauty is the real-life inspiration behind the iconic Paramount Pictures logo! You'll find it in the Ancash Region, part of the breathtaking Cordillera Blanca range in the Peruvian Andes. Picture this: a perfect pyramid with ridiculously steep, clean slopes leading straight to a tiny summit. Stunning! Getting there? Buckle up! The road winds through Huascaran National Park and let me tell you, the drive is an experience in itself. We're talking hairpin turns—over 100 of them! But the views? Absolutely worth it. You'll be treated to panoramic vistas of Chacraraju, Pisco, and the mighty Huandoy mountains, all while chasing the legend of the Paramount logo. The route carves through a spectacular canyon, flanked by granite walls that soar 1000 meters high! Just be prepared for a challenging ride!

Cerro Tocoextreme

Cerro Toco

🇨🇱 Chile

Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Cerro Toco! This insane gravel road climbs to a whopping 5,416m (17,769ft) in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile. We're talking seriously lunar landscapes in the Atacama Desert. Fair warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking remote, rough, and definitely not for your average car. You'll need a seasoned driver who knows how to handle steep climbs (some sections hit 10%!), dust, and bumps galore. The reward? Mind-blowing views and bragging rights. The summit boasts some of the world’s highest telescopes, making it a stargazer's dream. But don't get too dreamy – the conditions up here are BRUTAL. Expect high winds, icy patches, and the potential for heavy snow. Seriously, don't even think about it in bad weather; avalanches and landslides are a real threat. The wind is almost always howling, and even summer can bring snowy surprises. Winter? Forget about it – bone-chilling cold! Despite being inhospitable to humans, this place is an astronomer's paradise. The incredibly dry climate makes it perfect for spotting those millimeter and submillimeter wavelengths!

Tunel San Rafaelmoderate

Tunel San Rafael

🇧🇴 Bolivia

Alright, adventurers, listen up! Deep in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, you'll find the San Rafael Tunnel, a seriously high-altitude experience sitting pretty at 9,973 feet above sea level. Nestled in the Cordillera Real, part of the majestic Andes Mountains, this tunnel is on Ruta 3 (the Cotapata-Santa Bárbara road). It took about three years to build, from 2001 to 2004. At just over 4,500 feet long, it's a pretty cool stretch. Keep an eye on your speedometer—the limit is 40 kph. The road is mostly paved, but watch out for a few gravel sections that add a bit of rugged charm to the drive. Get ready for some stunning scenery!

The road to Cotopaxi Refuge is not for timid drivershard

The road to Cotopaxi Refuge is not for timid drivers

🇪🇨 Ecuador

Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you’re itching for a high-altitude thrill ride in Ecuador, you HAVE to check out the road to Refugio José Rivas on Cotopaxi volcano! This epic spot sits at a staggering 4,639m (15,219ft), putting it way up there in the "highest roads in Ecuador" category. Located about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, nestled in the majestic Andes, the road to the "Refugio Cotopaxi," as the locals call it, is pure, unadulterated off-road heaven (or hell, depending on your driving skills!). Forget smooth tarmac – we're talking a bumpy, gravel track that's been seriously roughed up by rain. Expect dust clouds in dry weather and a muddy slip-n-slide when it's wet. This road climbs to the parking lot for the refuge. Perched high on the northern slopes of Volcán Cotopaxi, Ecuador's second-highest volcano, inside Cotopaxi National Park, the views are absolutely unreal. On a clear day, you'll be treated to jaw-dropping views of the volcano's iconic cone shape. This refuge sleeps 86 people, and you'll be in the shadow of an active volcano that’s erupted over 50 times since 1738! Be prepared for altitude sickness. Now, a word of warning: this drive isn't for the faint of heart. The weather can be a real wildcard with wind and thunderstorms. Make sure you have a full tank of gas and a 4WD with high clearance is a must. The thin air at this altitude can rob your engine of power, so make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape and ready for a challenge. Starting at Ovejería, the ascent is 8.2 km (5.09 miles) long with some serious inclines – we're talking gradients of up to 14% in places! Over this distance, you’ll climb 763 meters. Get ready for an unforgettable, if somewhat hair-raising, journey!