The Road to Salinas Lake is One of the Toughest Tracks in the World
Peru, south-america
64.7 km
4,335 m
extreme
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the Arequipa Region of Peru, nestled way, way up in the Andes, lies the Laguna de Salinas – a shimmering salt lake sitting at a staggering 14,222 feet. Getting there? Buckle up, buttercup!
We're talking Ruta 34C, a 40-mile dirt track that’ll test your nerve and your vehicle's suspension. This isn’t your Sunday drive. Think hairpin turns galore, super narrow stretches (sometimes only wide enough for ONE car!), and seriously exposed drop-offs – hundreds of feet down – with zero guardrails to save you. Oh, and did I mention the tunnels?
Starting near Arequipa, one of Peru’s biggest cities, give yourself at least two hours to conquer this beast of a road, and that's without stopping to admire the killer views (if you can bear to take your eyes off the road, that is!). Confidence in your 4x4 and your driving skills is an absolute must. This one’s for the thrill-seekers!
Where is it?
The Road to Salinas Lake is One of the Toughest Tracks in the World is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -9.2382, -73.7512
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 64.7 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,335 m
- Difficulty
- extreme
- Coordinates
- -9.2382, -73.7512
Related Roads in south-america
hardMollepata-Pallasca Road
🇵🇪 Peru
Buckle up for the Mollepata-Pallasca road, a wild ride straddling the La Libertad and Ancash regions in northwestern Peru! Nestled deep in the Andes, this isn't your average Sunday drive. Clocking in at just under 30 km, this section of Route 3N throws you into a world of hairpin turns - 57 of them to be exact! The road is mostly paved, but incredibly steep and narrow, making it tricky for two cars to pass side-by-side. If you've got travel buddies who get carsick easily, fair warning! But here's the deal: the views are totally worth it. Picture yourself winding through breathtaking Andean landscapes. Just take it slow, stay alert, and you'll be rewarded with an unforgettable experience.
extremeTrampolín del Diablo is a spooky road in the Andes
🇨🇴 Colombia
# The Mocoa to San Francisco Road: Beauty and Danger in the Colombian Andes Nestled in Colombia's Putumayo Department, the winding route between Mocoa and San Francisco is equal parts breathtaking and terrifying. This 74.8 km stretch through the Valley of Sibundoy has earned some seriously ominous nicknames—"Devil's Trampoline," "Bye Bye My Life," and "Death's Trampoline"—and honestly, once you drive it, you'll understand why. Built way back in 1930 to move soldiers during the Colombia-Peru conflict, this mostly unpaved road is a serious test of driving skills. Plan on spending 3-4 hours behind the wheel if you want to tackle it without stopping. The narrow, single-lane gravel surface clings to steep mountainsides with minimal guardrails and plenty of sheer drops. Blind corners around every bend demand your complete attention, and you'll share the road with aggressive drivers who seem to have zero fear. What makes this route especially treacherous is the unpredictable nature of the mountains themselves. Frequent landslides threaten to send vehicles plummeting over the edge without warning. The road winds through dense forest with almost no signs of civilization, creating an isolated, wilderness atmosphere. The area sits perpetually shrouded in clouds and mist—don't count on clear skies here. The landscape is stunning, no question about it. But this beauty comes at a cost. The road has claimed hundreds of lives over the decades, with roadside crosses serving as somber reminders of its deadly history. If you're an experienced driver seeking an adrenaline rush and don't mind some serious risk, this Colombian mountain pass offers adventure you won't find anywhere else. Just remember: one mistake, and there's no second chance.
extremeLaguna Orcococha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: you're cruising along Route 28D in the Peruvian province of Castrovirreyna, heading towards Laguna Orcococha. This beauty sits way up high at 4,625 meters (that's 15,173 feet!), so be prepared for some serious altitude. The road is paved, thankfully, but don't let that fool you. This route is not for the faint of heart! Keep an eye on the weather, because snow can shut things down in a heartbeat. Fog can roll in thick, making visibility a real challenge. And let's not forget the potential for avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides. Ice patches are common, so drive carefully. The climb is killer, and the air is thin, so listen to your body. Most people start feeling the effects of altitude sickness way before you even reach the top, around 2,500-2,800 meters. But hey, if you're up for an adventure with breathtaking views, this is it!
hardWhere is Abra de Potrerillos?
🇦🇷 Argentina
Abra de Potrerillos is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.192m (13,753ft) above sea level, located in the department of Tumbaya, in Argentina. Where is Abra de Potrerillos? The pass is located in the province of Jujuy, in the northwestern part of the country. When was Abra de Potrerillos built? Formerly, the territory was crossed by mule trails descending from the highlands to the valley. In the early '70s, a dirt road was built, part of the Provincial Route 16, linking San Salvador de Jujuy, the capital of the province, with the town of Susques . In 1979, the stretch of 65 km from Purmamarca to Route 40 became a national jurisdiction, called National Route 52. And in 1999, the nation and the province signed an agreement to start the construction of this new road in 2000. Is Abra de Potrerillos paved? The road to the summit is totally paved. It’s called National Route 52 (RN52). A few hundred meters before reaching its peak, there is a viewpoint where people can observe the dramatic road entirely. The view of the road as it climbs in a series of switchbacks makes you wonder at the engineering required. How long is Abra de Potrerillos? The pass is 80.1 km (49.77 miles) long, running east-west from Purmamarca to Santuario de Tres Pozos via Salinas Grandes. Beyond this point, the RN52 continues to Is Abra de Potrerillos challenging? The challenging road to the summit is known as Cuesta del Lipán (Lipan Slope). It’s a winding steep road with countless turns and hairpin turns. In approximately 17 kilometers, the slope rises from the edge of the town of Purmamarca at 2,192m to Abra de Potrerillos. The road then goes down to Salinas Grandes, at 3,450 meters. The slope consists of a fully paved road that meanders in its ascent. Be prepared; this is high, so you will have shortness of breath if you try to do anything a bit strenuous. What are the highest roads in Argentina? A memorable unpaved road to Abra de Chorrillos Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our 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 to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.