
Wiswillani Pass
Peru, south-america
N/A
4,807 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! If you're heading to the Arequipa Region of Peru and craving some serious off-road thrills, Paso Wiswillani (also known as Q'asa) is calling your name!
This beast of a mountain pass tops out at a whopping 4,807 meters (15,771 feet) above sea level. We're talking serious altitude here. The road itself? Well, let's just say it's not for the faint of heart. We're talking gravel, rocks, bumps, and plenty of tippy sections along Route 34E. Think a good 4x4 is optional? Think again! You'll need it, especially if it's wet and muddy.
This isn't a joyride for Sunday drivers; it's a proper climb, and it's steep! But hey, if you're an experienced wheeler who loves a challenge and isn't afraid of heights, you'll be rewarded with incredible views of the desolate but beautiful Andean countryside. Just be aware that winter can make this pass totally impassable. Trust me, the views are worth the challenge!
Where is it?
Wiswillani Pass is located in Peru (south-america). Coordinates: -11.0240, -75.4240
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,807 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -11.0240, -75.4240
Related Roads in south-america
extremeHow to drive to Laguna Casiri Hembra and Casiri Macho?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, picture this: you're in the Arica and Parinacota Region of Chile, practically breathing Bolivian air, and you're about to tackle one of the highest drives in the country. Destination? The unreal Laguna Casiri Hembra and Laguna Casiri Macho, two high-altitude lakes that'll blow your mind. Starting from the sleepy village of Caquena, you've got about 16 kilometers of pure, unadulterated off-roading ahead. Over that distance, you’ll climb 540 meters, so buckle up for some serious uphill action. The reward? Reaching the shores of Casiri Hembra (at a cool 4,825m) and Casiri Macho (slightly higher at 4,856m). Forget smooth asphalt, this is all gravel and loose volcanic rock. Think "tippy" and bumpy, with sections so steep you'll need your A-game. Seriously, a 4x4 isn’t just recommended, it’s mandatory. If you're not comfortable with technical off-roading, maybe sit this one out. Now, the altitude. At almost 4,900 meters, both you and your engine will feel the burn. Hypoxia is real, folks! Plus, this road is usually a no-go in winter due to snow. And even in summer, be wary of sudden thunderstorms that can turn the gravel into a muddy nightmare in minutes. But oh, the views! Towering volcanoes, jagged peaks, and a landscape that feels straight out of another world. Laguna Casiri Macho even has an underwater algae garden you can spot from the shore! Weirdly, despite the harshness, you'll find mosquitoes chilling by the lagoons, all framed by these crazy ancient volcanic rock formations. Word to the wise: this is remote. Like, REALLY remote, near the Bolivian border. Be completely self-sufficient, make sure your ride is in tip-top shape, and pack extra supplies. The road itself? Narrow, winding, with hairpin turns and rocky embankments that demand your full attention. It's intense, but if you're prepared, it's the adventure of a lifetime.
extremeDarien Gap is a lethal break in the Pan-American Highway
🇨🇴 Colombia
The Darien Gap: a 60-mile (96 km) chunk of the Pan-American Highway that's missing! Forget driving through Central America; this wild stretch between Panama and Colombia makes it practically impossible. Imagine a dense jungle, a haven for guerrilla fighters and drug runners – that's the Darien Gap. Only a handful of expeditions, think off-road vehicles and serious survival skills, have ever made it through. This 50 km wide gap, a mix of watershed, forest, and mountains, stretches from the Atlantic to the Pacific. It's notorious as a drug-smuggling route, making it a no-go zone for most. We're talking lawless wilderness, deadly snakes, and antigovernment guerrillas. Migrants brave this passage, risking their lives. There's no road linking Colombia and Panama. Vehicles? You'll have to ship them. Environmental concerns and political gridlock have kept this area a sprawling 10,000 square miles of untamed jungle and swampland. Forget a leisurely drive; even the most tricked-out 4x4 isn't a good idea here due to Colombian guerrilla groups lurking. Some expeditions have crossed it, combining land and river travel. Crossing the Darien Gap? Definitely not recommended. If you're heading between Colombia and Panama, consider flying or looking into ferry services. Building a road here is costly, environmentally damaging, and politically fraught. This gap is the missing link of the Pan-American Highway and remains largely untouched by the modern world. While violence keeps travelers away, it also hinders conservation efforts. Farmers and loggers are encroaching on the rainforest, slowly breaking down the natural barrier. If conflicts subside, there will be pressure to complete the road. But, that would require strict border controls, as nature can no longer be relied on for defense.
hardWhen was the road to Cerro Aucanquilcha built?
🇨🇱 Chile
Cerro Aucanquilcha is a massive stratovolcano located in the Antofagasta Region of Chile. An old mine road used to run to the top, but now much of it about 5.500m (18,044ft) above sea level has been wiped out by landslides. For many years it was the highest drivable road in the world When was the road to Cerro Aucanquilcha built? Set high in the northern part of the country, part of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes, the road to the summit is totally unpaved, but no longer usable by vehicles. Mining originally began on the volcano in 1913, initially using llamas as pack animals to carry down the sulfur. An aerial cable system extending for 22 km (14 mi) was completed in 1935, to lower the sulfur in buckets. Eventually this was replaced in 1972 by the road which switchbacked up to the summit and was capable of supporting 20-ton mining trucks. It was the world's highest mine during that period. It’s one of the highest roads of South America Can you drive to the summit of Cerro Aucanquilcha? Located to the west of the border with Bolivia, within the Alto Loa National Reserve one of the highest roads of Chile This is an extremely tough road to try and climb up on a bike. The terrible surface and steep gradients meant that with loaded bikes you will have to push about 80% of the way from 4,000m to a high point at 5,130m. Although a number of people have taken their bikes to the summit, the surface on many stretches of the road is very bad or even blocked due to landslides. However, there are sections of rideable road all the way to the summit. At the summit itself it would also be possible to ride around a bit. Since the mine closed in 1993 much of the road has fallen into disrepair. Motorized use is no longer possible. How is the climb to Cerro Aucanquilcha? The existence of the old road makes it relatively easy to get to the summit on foot if you are well acclimatized and the old mining camp at 5,280m makes a good base camp as there are walls to shelter your tent. The winds in this area can be fierce and especially in winter the nights can be extremely cold. The highest permanent human habitation was a galvanized iron hut acting as a miners' barracks, with 4 workers, at about 5,500 m (18,000 ft). Pic: Diego Delso [CC BY-SA 4.0 ( https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0 )], via Wikimedia Commons Conquering the scenic Y290 road in the Chilean Patagonia A dangerous and difficult road to Guallatiri Volcano 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.
extremeAlto de Tapacocha
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, thrill-seekers, buckle up for Alto de Tapacocha, a Peruvian peak soaring to 15,524 feet! You'll find this bad boy in the Recuay province. The road to the top? Gravel, baby! But don't think it's gonna be a leisurely cruise. This climb is seriously steep – think up to an 18% grade. And pro tip: skip it if the weather's looking dicey. Even in summer, ice and snow can be a real problem, so keep your wits about you. Winter snowfalls can shut it down completely. Heads up – the altitude is NO joke. We're talking seriously thin air. If you've got any heart or breathing issues, maybe sit this one out. Most people start feeling altitude sickness way lower, around 8,000-9,000 feet. Up here, there’s about 40% less oxygen than at sea level, so breathing gets tough, your heart races, and even walking feels like a workout. Altitude sickness can hit anyone, so be prepared. Oh, and your engine might struggle with the lack of oxygen too! Definitely bring a 4x4. Things get muddy after it rains. The high elevation, the risk of altitude sickness, the crazy steepness, and how remote it is all combine to make this a tough trip. The views, though? Totally worth the challenge.