Driving the road from Celendin to Yerbabuena: absolutely no room for mistakes

Driving the road from Celendin to Yerbabuena: absolutely no room for mistakes

Peru, south-america

Length

163 km

Elevation

N/A

Difficulty

hard

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, buckle up buttercups, because the Celendín-Yerbabuena Highway in Cajamarca, Peru is a WILD ride! Picture this: 163 km (101 miles) of perfectly paved road snaking between the towns of Celendín and Yerbabuena, which sounds idyllic, right? Wrong!

This isn't your Sunday drive kinda road. We’re talking seriously narrow stretches with a sheer 1,000-meter drop on one side and a towering rock face on the other. Seriously, you’ll be gripping the wheel so hard your knuckles will turn white.

The road’s in great condition, thankfully, but those corners! Imagine feeling like one of your tires is flirting with the edge as you navigate over 500 hairpin turns. Talk about stunning views – you’ll be gazing at incredible mountains the entire time. But be warned, if you’re afraid of heights, this might be your personal hell, with hundred-meter drops and zero guardrails in many places. It's an unforgettable – and slightly terrifying – adventure!

Where is it?

Driving the road from Celendin to Yerbabuena: absolutely no room for mistakes is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -10.5707, -74.3935

Share this road

Road Details

Country
Peru
Continent
south-america
Length
163 km
Difficulty
hard
Coordinates
-10.5707, -74.3935

Related Roads in south-america

Laguna Salar de Pajonaleshard

Laguna Salar de Pajonales

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Deep in Chile's Antofagasta Region lies Laguna Salar de Pajonales, a stunning high-altitude lake sitting pretty at 3,541 meters (that's 11,617 feet!). Getting there is an adventure in itself. You'll need a trusty 4x4 to tackle Route B-885, and let me tell you, it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking a serious climb that will test both your vehicle and your lungs – the air gets pretty thin up there, so be prepared for potential altitude sickness. The gravel track can be loose and slippery, especially after rain. In fact, during and after storms, this road can become completely impassable. But, if you're up for the challenge, the views are absolutely worth it! Imagine yourself surrounded by the rugged beauty of the Chilean landscape. Just be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.

Valle Nevado chairlifthard

Valle Nevado chairlift

🇨🇱 Chile

Okay, thrill-seekers, picture this: You're in the Chilean Andes, heading up to the Valle Nevado chairlift at a whopping 3,306 meters (that's over 10,800 feet!). The road starts out paved as you climb into Valle Nevado, Chile's biggest ski resort. But hold on tight, because the last 2.4 kilometers are a super-steep gravel track winding up the El Plomo foothills. Seriously, you're gonna need a 4x4 for this leg of the journey. The views? Absolutely epic.

Mecoya-Mecoyita Passhard

Mecoya-Mecoyita Pass

🇦🇷 Argentina

Okay, adventure seekers, buckle up for the Paso de Mecoya-Mecoyita, straddling the Bolivian-Argentinian border at a lung-busting 2,373m (7,785ft)! On the Bolivian side, you'll be tackling the RN45, while its Argentinian counterpart remains nameless. Prepare for some serious climbing, folks! The altitude is a real beast, so listen to your body – altitude sickness is no joke up here. Connecting Mecoya in Bolivia with Ruta Provincial 5 near Santa Victoria in Argentina, this gravel track demands respect. Expect loose surfaces, especially near the edges, and be warned – rain turns it into a slippery, muddy mess. Storms can render it impassable, even for 4x4s. But hey, the views! Imagine panoramic mountain vistas stretching as far as the eye can see. Just be aware that some sections are seriously narrow, requiring expert reversing skills if you meet oncoming traffic. And if you're afraid of heights, this might not be your cup of tea: sheer drops of hundreds of meters are common, with no guardrails to save you!

When was the road to Abra del Acay built?hard

When was the road to Abra del Acay built?

🇦🇷 Argentina

Dude, you HAVE to check out Abra del Acay in Argentina! Seriously, it's a mountain pass sitting way up high at 4,956m (16,259ft) in Salta Province. Word is, it's the highest national highway pass in the Americas. Picture this: a 133 km (83 mile) stretch of unpaved road, winding from Payogasta to San Antonio de los Cobres. We're talking about a solid 3-hour drive if you don't stop, but trust me, you'll WANT to stop. This part of Argentina's famous Route 40 was built in the 60s (inaugurated in 1960 to be exact), so you KNOW it's got some stories. But hold up – this isn't your average Sunday drive. The road is narrow gravel, and you need ALL your focus. Expect super tight bends, crazy drop-offs, and winds that'll try to blow you off course. Plus, zero cell service out there, so pack supplies! Is it worth it? A thousand times yes! The views are absolutely unreal. Just be prepared for a wild ride and maybe even some snow and ice in winter. It's a tough road, but honestly, the scenery is so worth the challenge.