Apacheta de Irpa o Cancosa Pass
Bolivia, south-america
N/A
4,010 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure-seekers, buckle up for Paso Apacheta de Irpa o Cancosa! This international mountain pass straddling the Chile-Bolivia border soars to a whopping 4,010 meters (13,156 feet) above sea level.
Forget smooth asphalt, you'll be tackling a gravel road here, and trust me, the climb is brutal. The air is thin, making every breath a challenge, and the steepness is relentless. Altitude sickness is a real concern, so listen to your body! Rain turns this track into a muddy, slippery mess, so be prepared. The border crossing is open from 8am to 6pm.
While all vehicles *can* attempt it, a high-clearance 4x4 is HIGHLY recommended. Seriously, this road is ROUGH. Attempting it in a 2WD car? Let's just say you might be shopping for a new ride soon after. But, if you're up for the challenge, the views are absolutely unreal.
Where is it?
Apacheta de Irpa o Cancosa Pass is located in Bolivia (south-america). Coordinates: -15.4114, -64.0069
Road Details
- Country
- Bolivia
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,010 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -15.4114, -64.0069
Related Roads in south-america
hardThe Road to Portezuelo de Chapiquina in the Andes is Not for Timid Drivers
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're heading to the Arica and Parinacota Region of Chile, you HAVE to check out Portezuelo de Chapiquiña. This high-altitude Andean pass clocks in at a staggering 4,453 meters (that’s 14,609 feet!). You'll find this gem tucked away inside Parque Nacional Lauca. The road, known as A-201, stretches for about 47 kilometers (or 29 miles) from Murmuntani to Las Cuevas. But hold on – it's all unpaved, so be prepared for a bumpy ride! And did I mention it's steep? For the truly adventurous, there's a crazy side road to the west that climbs even higher, topping out at 4,760m! Get ready for 16 hairpin turns and an average gradient of 15%. The view from the top, bristling with communication towers, is totally worth the adrenaline rush. This area shows off some of the most dramatic scenery Chile has to offer!
moderateThe Road to Abra Tsactsapunta in the Cordillera Blanca Is Not for Timid Drivers
🇵🇪 Peru
Abra Tsactsapunta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,472m (14,671ft) above sea level, located in the Yungay Province of Peru. The pass is located in the Ancash Region, in the western part of the country, high in the Cordillera Blanca range. The road through the pass is 30km (19 miles) long, running north-south from Cruz de Mayo to Huacho. The road to the pass is not easy. It’s unpaved, with loose rocks, unprotected by guardrails, featuring dangerous drops and about 30 hairpin turns. The weather is always a concern, as the area is often covered in fog. The road is pretty remote, so it’s better to travel accompanied. In perfect weather, a high-clearance vehicle is required, and a 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended.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.
hardRoad trip guide: Conquering Planchon Pass in the Andes
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I've got a wild one for you: Paso del Planchón, a super-high mountain pass straddling the Argentina-Chile border at a whopping 2,515m (8,251ft). Also known as Paso Internacional Vergara, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Picture this: you're deep in the Andes, bumping along 196 km (121 miles) of totally unpaved road – Ruta Provincial 226 on the Argentina side turning into J-55 once you cross into Chile. We're talking sandy sections, the whole nine yards! This epic route connects Las Loicas in Argentina’s Mendoza Province with Curicó in Chile's Maule Region. Now, for the real talk: this pass is usually a no-go zone. But, get this, they fix it up between November 1st and April 30th each year, opening it up to tourists and mining companies. Be prepared for crazy dry air and insane temperature swings – think warm days baking in the sun and freezing nights. We're talking potential highs of 15°C in summer and lows of -25°C in winter. But hey, the scenery is out of this world!
extremeHow long is Ruta 3N?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Carretera 3-N in Ancash, Peru! This road is a total beast, and not for the faint of heart. We're talking serious pucker-factor with drops that plunge a dizzying 1,000m straight down. Hidden in northern Peru, the road is mostly dirt, and the real fun starts with a 22km stretch leading to the tiny town of La Pampa. "Challenging" doesn't even begin to cover it. Imagine navigating hairpin after hairpin, each one seemingly carved by hand out of the mountainside. Seriously, these turns are tight! Forget about two cars passing easily; it's a game of chicken with the Andes. Expect to share the road with plenty of trucks, too. Add in some rain or snow, and you might find yourself stuck. The road is rough—think washboard surfaces and plenty of rocks.