Driving a Wild Curvy Road to Abra Ucchuchacua in the Andes
Peru, south-america
82.8 km
4,740 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra Ucchuchacua! This Andean high-altitude pass straddles the Yanahuanca and Oyón districts of Peru, hitting a dizzying 4,740 meters (15,551 feet) above sea level. Locals call it Abra Uchucchacua or Abra Uchuc Chacua, linking Oyón and Daniel Alcides Carrión provinces right in the heart of the country.
Fun fact: this mountain lent its name to a rare mineral, Uchucchacuaite, first found at the Uchucchacua Mine, known for its silver, lead, manganese, and zinc.
The road, mostly unpaved but with a few concrete sections near the top, is Ruta 18 (Carretera 18). It stretches 82.8 km (51 miles) from Oyón in the west to Yanahuanca in the east. Fair warning: expect heavy truck traffic due to the mining operations in the region. But hey, that just adds to the rugged, authentic feel, right? Get ready for some insane views!
Where is it?
Driving a Wild Curvy Road to Abra Ucchuchacua in the Andes is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -7.7820, -76.4889
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 82.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,740 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -7.7820, -76.4889
Related Roads in south-america
moderateScaling the Skies: The Journey Up Putana Volcano- Among Earth's Highest Roads on Earth
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, picture this: You're in the Antofagasta region of Chile, right on the border with Bolivia, about to tackle a road that climbs a freakin' volcano! We're talking Volcán Putana, also known as Jorqencal or Machuca, a stratovolcano that's got some serious attitude. This isn't your average Sunday drive. This former mine access road snakes its way up to a mind-blowing 5,779 meters (18,959 feet)! Yeah, you're practically touching the sky up there. It used to be bustling with trucks hauling sulfur, because this volcano is loaded with it. You can even see the fumaroles puffing away from miles off. Word on the street is, this road might not be passable anymore, but even the attempt would be epic! Just imagine the views...the stark beauty of northern Chile... the sheer bragging rights of conquering one of the highest roads on the planet. This is a climb you won't soon forget!
moderateHow long is Abra Azuca?
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Azuca! This high-altitude stunner in Peru, straddling the Cusco and Apurimac regions, will leave you breathless – and not just because of the views. We're talking 5,190 meters (that's a whopping 17,027 feet!) above sea level. Nestled in the Wansu mountains of the Andes, this totally unpaved road stretches for about 25 kilometers (15.5 miles). The scenery? Absolutely incredible. While the road surface is usually decent (thanks to those mining trucks!), and the inclines aren't too crazy for the most part, don't underestimate this climb. Acclimatization is key, folks! They say it's one of the highest road passes in South America.
hardLaguna de Lejia
🇨🇱 Chile
Okay, adventure seekers, let's talk about Laguna de Legia, a stunning alpine lake chilling way up in the Antofagasta Region of northern Chile! We're talking seriously high altitude here, like 4,350 meters (14,271 feet) above sea level. The road to get there, B-357, is a gravel track, but usually kept in decent shape. You *can* probably make it in a 2WD with good clearance if you take it slow and steady. Expect some long, straight stretches. Be warned, though: this road can turn into a muddy slip-n-slide real fast if it rains. After a storm, you might not get through even with 4x4. But oh man, the views are worth it!
hardHow long is the road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! If you find yourself in the Cusco Region of central Peru and are feeling *extra* adventurous, you HAVE to check out the road from Santa Maria to Santa Teresa. This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. Forget smooth tarmac – we're talking a completely unpaved, rugged track stretching for about 22.6 kilometers (or roughly 14 miles) between these two towns in the La Convención Province. Plan for about an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes to conquer it, assuming you don't stop to catch your breath (and trust me, you might need to!). What makes it so wild? Well, for starters, you'll be climbing to a staggering 1,748 meters (that's 5,734 feet!) above sea level. Add to that some serious exposure with massive drops down to the Urubamba River below, and a distinct lack of guardrails in many spots, and you've got yourself a nail-biting experience. If you're afraid of heights or landslides, maybe sit this one out! But if you're up for a challenge and incredible views, this is one road you won't soon forget!