Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Abra Culipampa in Apurimac
Peru, south-america
98 km
4,834 m
moderate
Year-round
Alright, adventure seekers, buckle up for Abra Culipampa, a seriously high mountain pass nestled in the Apurímac region of Peru! We're talking a lung-busting 4,834 meters (that's 15,859 feet!) above sea level.
This isn't your Sunday drive kind of road. Located in southern Peru, the 98km (61-mile) stretch, also known as Carretera 111, winds its way north-south from Antabamba (Antapampa) towards the Arequipa border. Now, here's the kicker: it's entirely unpaved. Some sections are decent, but others are sandy, so a high-clearance vehicle is definitely your best bet.
Keep in mind this is a mining road, so you'll be sharing the road with trucks. But hey, the views are worth it! Think stunning lakes and majestic volcanoes lining your path. Just be prepared to share the road with those hard-working mining trucks as you soak it all in.
Where is it?
Driving the Wild Unpaved Road to Abra Culipampa in Apurimac is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -8.8223, -75.5608
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 98 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,834 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- -8.8223, -75.5608
Related Roads in south-america
hardMilluni Chico
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, picture this: You're in Bolivia, deep in the Andes, ready for an adventure. You're headed to Milluni Chico, a stunning half-moon lake way up at 15,042 feet! Yeah, that's high – higher than you've probably ever been. The road? Think gravel, lots of hairpin turns, and views that'll make your jaw drop. But fair warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. The altitude is a beast. At that height, the air is thin. Most people start feeling the effects way lower, around 8,000-9,000 feet! Plus, being a mountain road, it can get snowy anytime, which could shut things down. It's steep, it's challenging, but the scenery? Totally worth it.
hardVallecitos ski resort
🇦🇷 Argentina
Alright adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to the northwest of Mendoza Province in Argentina, you HAVE to check out the road to Vallecitos ski resort. Picture this: you're climbing to almost 10,000 feet (2,999m to be exact!) in the Andean foothills of the stunning Cordon del Plata. The road? It's gravel, baby! Think steep climbs, hairpin turns that will test your driving skills, and sections narrow enough to make you hold your breath. But trust me, the views are worth it. You'll be snaking through the glacier-carved Valle del Plata, with hotels and restaurants dotted along the way for a quick bite or a well-deserved rest. Get ready for an unforgettable ride!
extremeCuesta de la Chilca
🇦🇷 Argentina
Guys, Ruta Provincial 48 in Catamarca Province, Argentina, is insane. They call it Cuesta de la Chilca, and it’s a totally improbable dirt road clinging to a cliff edge. Think twenty-seven hairpin turns stacked practically on top of each other as you claw your way up! Seriously, this narrow path is not for the faint of heart. Got vertigo? Stay home. Afraid of landslides? Nope. Expect traffic, rain, and fog pretty much all the time. The mist can get so thick you can barely see, so drive carefully. And maybe skip the big lunch – all those twists and turns at high altitude might make you queasy. Oh, and did I mention there are zero guardrails protecting you from drops of hundreds of meters? Yeah, fun times! Cuesta de la Chilca is only 14.5 km, but packs a serious punch. You start at 1,175m above sea level and end up at 1,875m, gaining 700 meters in elevation. That's an average grade of 4.82%, but with sections hitting 10%! The gravel surface is often loose, so watch your tires. Because you’re climbing thousands of feet through remote areas, come prepared. This track can get super muddy and slippery after rain, and even 4x4s might not make it through. If there’s a storm, the road might be completely impassable. Basically, it’s epic... if you're up for it!
hardWhere is Oquepuño Pass?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up, because Abra Oquepuño in Peru is about to blow your mind! We're talking serious altitude here: 4,883 meters (that's 16,020 feet!). Some say it's one of the highest paved roads in all of South America. Find this gem in the Puno region, way down south. The road itself, Ruta Nacional PE-34B (Carretera Interoceanica), is completely paved, stretching 44 km (27.34 miles) from Macusani to Puerto Arturo. Heads up: this drive isn't for the faint of heart. You're way up in the Andes, so the air gets thin. Take it easy to avoid altitude sickness! The climb is steep, with gradients hitting 11% in places, and there are 10 hairpin turns to navigate. At the top, you'll find a tiny chapel called Santísima Cruz. The views? Absolutely killer!