
Where is Abra Malaga Pass?
Peru, south-america
121 km
4,343 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just conquered Abra Malaga Pass, and you NEED to add this one to your bucket list. This beast of a road winds its way up to a staggering 4,343 meters (that's 14,248 feet!) in the Cusco Region of Peru, right on the border of La Convención and Urubamba provinces.
The entire 121 km (75 miles) stretch is paved, thankfully, and follows Ruta 28B from Ollantaytambo to Santa Maria. Leaving Ollantaytambo, you're immediately greeted with hairpin after hairpin, each revealing more breathtaking views of the Sacred Valley below. Trust me, your camera roll will be overflowing!
Heads up, though – on the eastern side, you'll descend into a mystical "neblina" zone – think mist, tough grasses, and marshy fens. Super cool, but drive carefully!
Speaking of careful driving: this road ain't for the faint of heart. Over a hundred hairpin turns combined with some seriously steep sections mean you need your wits about you. And listen to this: during autumn and winter, snow can shut the whole thing down, making it super risky.
Despite the challenges, the scenery is UNREAL. You're basically driving through postcard-perfect landscapes the entire time. So, if you're looking for a ride that'll test your skills and reward you with insane views, Abra Malaga Pass is calling your name!
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 121 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,343 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in south-america
easyWhy is Papallacta famous?
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Located in the Napo Province of Ecuador, Papallacta is the highest town in the country, situated at an elevation of 3,300m (10,827ft) above sea level. It’s one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth Why is Papallacta famous? Surrounded by mountain slopes, between the Antisana and Cayambe Volcanoes, the town is known and most visited for its hot springs. Locals say that “Papallacta” translates as “Land of Potatoes” (Tierra de Patatas). It’s a popular day trip for visitors from Quito. Is the road to Papallacta paved? The road to the town is entirely paved. It’s called E20 and crosses the Andes just off the Eastern Cordilleras. How long is the road to Papallacta? The road is 76.7 km (47.65 miles) long, running west-east from Pifo to Baeza. Is the road to Papallacta worth the drive? Located on the main road from Quito, which leads into the Amazon jungle, the scenic drive to Papallacta passes through several towns and small villages before ascending to a peak of over 4,000 m, from where mountains and glaciers are visible. Travel guide to the top of Tres Cruces in Azuay The road to Cotopaxi Refuge is not for timid drivers 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.
hardWhere Is Road 663?
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, buckle up, adventure awaits! This epic road trip takes you through the heart of western [country], winding east from [starting point] and stretching for [length]. We're talking seriously narrow – often just wide enough for one vehicle, so keep your eyes peeled! The wildest part? Hands down, the [Desfiladero del Surria] gorge. Picture this: a super skinny road clinging to the side of a cliff, high above the river below. And get this – after blasting through an unlit tunnel (known as [tunnel name]), you're immediately met with a serious drop. No guardrails here, folks! Elevation? Oh yeah, you'll be climbing. Expect some seriously tight hairpin turns, some of the most intense you'll ever experience. So, if you're looking for breathtaking views and a bit of an adrenaline rush, this road is calling your name! Just remember to take it slow and soak it all in.
hardCh'iyar Qirini
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in the La Paz Department of Bolivia, nestled within the Cordillera Real of the Andes, lies Ch'iyar Qirini (also known as Charquerini or Chiar Kherini) – a beast of a mountain peak road reaching a staggering 5,194m (17,040ft)! This isn't your Sunday drive. Think gravel, rocks, and bumps galore, mixed with hairpin turns that'll make your head spin. This 17km climb from Ruta 41 gains 874 meters in elevation, averaging a steep 5.14% gradient. Seriously, 4x4 is practically a must and experience is key. The air is thin, and the climb is brutal, testing both your car and your lungs. Altitude sickness is common above 2,500 meters, so be prepared! Oh, and did I mention the potentially treacherous drop-offs? Or that snow can shut things down at any time? But if you dare to conquer this climb, you'll find a mountain shelter at the summit and views that will absolutely take your breath away – assuming the altitude hasn't already! Just be sure to avoid this road in wet conditions!
extremeLaguna Alcacocha
🇵🇪 Peru
Alright, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to Peru, ditch the tourist traps and make a beeline for Laguna Alcacocha. This unreal lake sits way up in the Andes Mountains, clocking in at a whopping 14,271 feet above sea level. The road to get there? Buckle up, buttercup, because Route 103 is no Sunday drive. We're talking gravel, narrow stretches, and mud – seriously slippery mud after it rains. Plus, Mother Nature likes to keep things interesting with potential avalanches, heavy snow, and landslides. And as if that weren't enough, the air gets thin real quick. This climb is STEEP, so be prepared to feel that altitude sickness kick in! But trust me, the views are totally worth the white-knuckle drive.