
Oquepuño Pass is one of the highest paved roads of South America
Peru, south-america
44 km
4,883 m
hard
Year-round
Alright, adventure junkies, buckle up for Abra Oquepuño! This baby clocks in at a whopping 4,883 meters (that's 16,020 feet!) above sea level, nestled high in the Carabaya province of Peru. Word on the street is, it’s one of the highest paved roads you’ll find in South America.
You'll find this beast in the Puno region, way down south. The whole route is paved and goes by the name Ruta Nacional PE-34B (aka Carretera Interoceanica).
Get ready for a 44km (27.34-mile) stretch of road, winding its way from Macusani to Puerto Arturo.
Keep in mind you're playing in the big leagues here! Oxygen is thin, so take it easy and watch out for altitude sickness. At the very top, you’ll find a cute little chapel called Santísima Cruz. Also, this road doesn’t mess around: we’re talking steep climbs, hitting 11% grades in places, and hairpin turns galore. Ten of them, to be exact.
Where is it?
Oquepuño Pass is one of the highest paved roads of South America is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.2566, -75.9873
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 44 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,883 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -9.2566, -75.9873
Related Roads in south-america
extremeWhere is the TA-104 Road?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: the TA-104 in southern Peru – a real-deal Andean adventure! This isn't your average Sunday drive. We're talking a regional route that’ll test your driving skills as you weave through a stark, volcanic wonderland. So, where exactly is this epic road? It slices right through the mountains of the Tacna Region, connecting Puquina and Salinas Moche. Get ready to climb because you'll hit some serious altitude, maxing out at over 4,000 meters above sea level. This is hardcore desert terrain – think steep canyons and sky-high ridges. Now, about the road itself: mostly unpaved, baby! Expect a narrow track of gravel and dust carved straight into the mountainside, where the rock walls love to crumble a bit. The most intense part? When the road hugs the northern shore of Laguna Aricota. Here, it gets seriously narrow, clinging to the cliff with absolutely no guardrails between you and the deep blue water below. Talk about zero margin for error! What makes this drive so challenging? First, those hairpin turns are insane as you climb the desert ridges. Precision steering is a must, especially when you meet local traffic on the tightest bends. It's just you, a sheer rock face on one side, and a vertical drop on the other. Plus, the unpaved surface can get dusty, and if the coastal mist rolls in, it can get slippery. Hazards? Oh, we got hazards! That lakeside section is a serious head-spinner. The gravel can be unstable, and with the water right there, one wrong move, and you're swimming. Watch out for falling rocks and small landslides, too! A high-clearance vehicle is a MUST. And whatever you do, stick to daylight driving. With zero lighting and those crazy drop-offs, night driving is a straight-up no-go. Buckle up and get ready for a wild ride!
hardA drive to Sunchulli Pass is an otherworldly experience
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, buckle up for Sunchulli Pass in Bolivia's La Paz Department – a lung-buster at a whopping 5,034m (16,515ft)! Seriously, this is one of Bolivia's highest roads, so prepare for thin air. You'll find it snaking through the Apolobamba Range, way out west near the border with Peru. Think rugged, remote, and ridiculously beautiful. Forget smooth asphalt – this is an unpaved adventure from start to finish. This isn't just any road; it's an old Inca mining route, though bulldozers have been through to widen things (sort of). The route winds from Hilo Hilo to Sunchulli villages, and it's all about hairpin turns and crazy steep climbs. Just a heads up: you'll need permission from the SERNAP office in La Paz before you even think about tackling this trek. But trust me, the views are worth the hassle.
extremeAn unforgettable road to Cuesta Codoceo
🇨🇱 Chile
Hey adventure seekers! Ever heard of Cuesta Codoceo (aka Portezuelo Codoceo)? This high-altitude mountain pass sits way up at 4,342m (14,245ft) in Chile's Nevado Tres Cruces National Park, Atacama Region. You'll find it along Ruta 31-CH, a 280 km unpaved road that's totally doable in most cars when it's dry. The route kicks off in Copiapó and winds its way to the Argentinian border. Expect a well-maintained gravel track, where even a 2WD with decent clearance can handle it safely at low speeds. Now, heads up: the climb is brutal! Seriously, the lack of oxygen will test your limits, and the steepness is no joke. Keep an eye on the weather – sudden snowstorms and blizzards can make things super tricky. Plus, it's a desert climate, so expect wild temperature swings between hot days and freezing nights. Oh, and if you're feeling extra adventurous, there's a little gravel track at the top that climbs even higher to Portezuelo Caballo Muerto at 4,410m (14,468ft). But the real reward? The stunning scenery! You'll be cruising through remote areas, including the breathtaking Salar de Aguas Calientes. Trust me, this is an unforgettable experience!
hardWhere is Pascua Lama?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, so you wanna hit up Pascua Lama? This insane international peak straddles the border between Argentina and Chile. It's seriously high, so be prepared for some thin air! You'll find this beast north of the town of Alto del Carmen, chilling in the southern part of the Atacama Desert. Once you conquer the summit, you'll be standing pretty close to the Pascua Lama mine site, which, FYI, is a point of contention with the local community. The road? Let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. Think super steep, unpaved mining road. It's a tough climb, to say the least. Now, a word of caution: this drive is NOT a walk in the park. If you've got any respiratory or heart issues, seriously reconsider. The altitude sickness is real, and it'll kick your engine's butt, too. Expect altitude effects around 13,000 feet! Oh, and there's also the Rio Encuentro bridge crossing between Argentina and Chile to look out for. Trust me, the views are insane, but this adventure definitely comes with some serious challenges.