Where is Pato Canyon?
Peru, south-america
52.2 km
N/A
extreme
Year-round
Okay, picture this: You're in Peru, exploring the Ancash Region, and you stumble upon the Cañón del Pato – Duck Canyon. Seriously, this place is unreal!
This road snakes through a canyon carved out by the Rio Santa, right at the northern tip of the Callejón de Huaylas. Starting near Caraz and heading up to Yuracmarca, this 52-kilometer (32-mile) stretch is an adventure.
Now, here’s the kicker: you're driving along a route carved into the cliff face, peering down into a massive gorge, and passing through *54* tunnels. And get this—they're all hand-cut into the rock! Most of the road is paved, but it’s super narrow. Forget passing another car easily; it’s a squeeze!
Be warned: it's not for the faint of heart. During the rainy and snowy seasons, it can get shut down. Plus, falling rocks are a real hazard. These tunnels? Mostly one lane and rough as anything. The elevation climbs from 500m to over 2000m, so buckle up. The road just keeps getting narrower, tunnel after tunnel, with some serious drop-offs—we're talking 1000m drops! You'll need to keep your wits about you on this one.
But, oh man, the views! It's an experience you won't forget.
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 52.2 km
- Difficulty
- extreme
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