Where is Llaca Lagoon?
Peru, south-america
15.8 km
4,467 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're in Peru, near Huaraz, about to embark on an adventure to Laguna Llaca. This isn't your average Sunday drive! You're heading into Huascarán National Park, where the lagoon shimmers with turquoise-green waters at a dizzying 14,655 feet above sea level.
The road to get there? Let's just say it's...rustic. We're talking unpaved all the way, a 9.81-mile stretch called "Carretera a Laguna Llaca" that climbs 2,136 feet. Expect a bumpy ride through some seriously stunning scenery, with snow-capped mountains towering all around. But be warned: the road is rough, think huge rocks and deep ravines carved out by water. This is strictly 4x4 territory, and you'll definitely want high clearance to navigate this wild, beautiful route. The average gradient is 4.12%. Get ready for incredible views and a drive you won't soon forget!
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 15.8 km
- Max Elevation
- 4,467 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
Related Roads in south-america
extremeCerro San Pedro
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, thrill-seekers, listen up! Deep in the west of Argentina's Mendoza province, practically spitting distance from Chile, lies Cerro San Pedro. This mountain pass climbs to a dizzying 2,199 meters (that's 7,214 feet!). Fair warning: this isn't a Sunday drive. We're talking extreme 4x4 territory here. Think dusty, bumpy, and definitely not for the faint of heart (or weak of stomach!). If you're prone to vertigo or have a thing about landslides, maybe sit this one out. Seriously. The gravel road is often loose, especially near the edges, and littered with stones and big rocks in the middle. Oh, and did I mention the drop-offs of hundreds of meters with absolutely no guardrails? The final climb is a killer, with sections hitting a crazy 35% grade. Locals call it the "Climb to Hell" for a reason! But if you're prepared for the remote location, elevation changes, and challenging terrain, the views are supposed to be absolutely breathtaking.
extremeDeath Road in Bolivia is the world's most famous gravel track
🇧🇴 Bolivia
# The Legendary Death Road: Bolivia's Most Infamous Mountain Pass Want to talk about nerve-wracking? The Carretera de los Yungas—aka the "Death Road"—is probably the most notorious stretch of pavement (well, dirt) on the planet. This 36.4km (22.61 miles) gravel track snakes between La Paz and Coroico through Bolivia's lush Yungas region, and honestly, it lives up to its terrifying reputation. Here's the thing: while it still holds legendary status, the Death Road has technically lost its "World's Most Dangerous" title thanks to a shiny new highway nearby that's stolen most of the traffic. But don't let that fool you—this route is still absolutely wild. The narrow 3-meter-wide path climbs through jungle-covered mountains to 3,151m (10,337ft), with nauseatingly deep canyons plummeting up to 1,000 meters below. If heights make you queasy, seriously, skip this one. Back in the day, this road was a genuine nightmare. An estimated 200-300 people died here annually, with dozens of vehicles going over the edge each year. The statistics are haunting—that July 1983 bus accident killed over 100 passengers alone. Those macabre white crosses scattered along the route? They're memorials to the many who didn't make it. Here's a wild safety feature: unlike the rest of Bolivia, traffic drives on the left. The reason? Drivers get a better view of the cliff edge, so they can actually see if their tires are about to kiss the abyss. Descending vehicles don't have the right of way and must hug the outer edge, making it a tense negotiation when you meet an oncoming truck. The road is brutal in every sense. At just 3 meters wide with zero guardrails, it gets even trickier when rain turns everything into mud, or when dust clouds and year-round fog reduce visibility to nearly nothing. Add in waterfalls cascading onto the surface and you've got a recipe for disaster. These days, about 25,000 thrill-seeking cyclists and tourists tackle the Death Road annually. Since 1998, at least 20 have died doing it. The nearby South Yungas Road (Chulumani Road) is nearly as treacherous, with its own 600-meter drops and relentless hairpins. While the Death Road still dominates the danger conversation, some extreme drivers now point to Turkey's D915 as the ultimate test. With 29 hairpins and no tourist infrastructure, it's raw, unforgiving mountain driving at its finest.
hardCan you drive to Refugio José Rivas?
🇪🇨 Ecuador
Refugio JosĂ© Rivas is a high mountain refuge on Cotopaxi volcano, at an elevation of 4,639m (15,219ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between Pichincha and Cotopaxi provinces of Ecuador. It's one of the highest roads in the country Can you drive to Refugio JosĂ© Rivas? Located about 50 km (31 mi) south of Quito, in the Andes Mountains, the road to the hut, locally known as Refugio Cotopaxi, is totally unpaved. It’s called Subida Parqueadero Refugio Cotopaxi. It’s a bumpy gravel road that has been eroded by rainstorms. It’s dusty in dry weather and muddy in wet. The road ends in the parking lot for the refuge. Is the road to Refugio JosĂ© Rivas worth it? Set high on the northern flanks of Volcán Cotopaxi, the second-highest volcano in Ecuador, within Cotopaxi National Park, the refuge has a capacity for 86 people. It was built in 1971 and extended in 2005. It is owned and operated by Grupo Ascensionismo del Colegio San Gabriel. On a sunny day, you’ll get magnificent views of the peak and its famous conical shape. The hut used to be an overnight destination for mountaineering teams acclimatizing before making an ascent on the peak. Since 1738, records show Cotopaxi has exploded more than 50 times. It’s said to be the highest active volcano in the world. Be prepared for high-altitude sickness. Is the road to Refugio JosĂ© Rivas difficult? The drive is not for the faint of heart. Weather conditions can pose a problem with bad weather conditions, wind, and thunderstorms. Make sure the gas tank is full. You’ll need a 4WD high-clearance vehicle. Your vehicle needs to be in good shape and prepared for a lag in power. At this altitude, the thin atmosphere can affect the car’s engine and decrease acceleration or climbing power. Is the road to Refugio JosĂ© Rivas steep? The remote and exposed road to the refuge is very steep, hitting a 14% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Starting at OvejerĂa, the ascent is 8.2 km (5.09 miles) long. Over this distance, the elevation gain is 763 meters. The average gradient is 9.30%. Papallacta is one of the highest towns accessible by car on Earth 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.
extremeRoad Lima-108
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, adventure seekers, listen up! If you're craving a real off-the-beaten-path experience in central Peru's Lima region, the LM-108 is calling your name. This isn't your Sunday drive; it's a 53.2 km stretch of rugged gravel that winds its way between Huaral and Trapiche. Fair warning: this track is narrow in spots, so be prepared to navigate those tight squeezes. A 4x4 is highly recommended, and seriously, don't even think about attempting this during bad weather. Avalanches and landslides are a real possibility. Rain turns this track into a muddy, slippery mess, and storms can make it completely impassable, even with a 4x4. This route takes you through remote areas, so come prepared! It is really not suitable for regular cars. But if you're up for a challenge and have an experienced driver at the wheel, the scenery is truly unforgettable. Just be ready for a dusty, bumpy ride!