What are the most spectacular roads in Peru?

Located in the heart of the Andes, in the western part of South America, Peru is very challenging for drivers due to its geography that comprises the coast, the Andes Mountains, and the Amazon Rainforest. With such topography, it has more than 230 roads listed as the most spectacular in the world.

When traveling to the country, you can’t miss Curvas de Huanchaca, a series of 24 hairpin turns located on the boundary between Cusco and Apurimac. It’s one of the most hairpinned roads in the world, offering travelers a spectacular, vertigo-inducing drive. Or the harrowing paved road to Anticona Pass in the Andes, at an elevation of 4,824m (15,826ft) above sea level. The pass is often incorrectly said to be the highest paved road in South America.

If you want to try scary drives, don’t forget the Pasamayo Serpentine, a lethal coastal road known for fatal traffic accidents. The road has no safety fences, and one mishap, and you plunge off the cliff and into the sea. Or Pato Canyon Road, a path hewn out of sheer rock, located in the Ancash Region. And if you’re up for paved mountain roads, don’t miss the awe-inspiring drive to Punta Olímpica in the Andes, climbing up to 4,732m (15,525ft) above sea level. It's one of the highest paved roads in the country.

Abra Turpo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.798m (15,741ft) above the sea level, located in the Huancavelica Province, Peru.

Carretera 1SC is one of the most extreme roads on Earth. Located in southern Peru, your wheels will be astounded at the wonderful views of the mountains spread out before you! They are terrible for drivers who are prone to vertigo.

Toromocho is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.996m (16,391ft) above the sea level, located in the Morococha District in the Yauli Province of the Junín Region in Peru.

Abra Canchenita is a high-altitude mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,827m (15,836ft) above sea level, located in the Carhuaz Province of the Ancash Region, Peru. The pass is a key logistical point on the Carretera PE-34E, a high-mountain corridor characterized by its unpaved surface and extreme atmospheric conditions.

Abra Alpamarca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.711m (15,456ft) above the sea level, located in Central Peru, in the province of Junín.

Laguna Uchucchacua is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.390m (14,402ft) above the sea level located in the province of Oyón in the Department of Lima, in Central Peru.

Abra Jahuaycate is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.065m (11,003ft) above the sea level, located in Pitumarca District of the province Canchis in Peru. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Take a journey through the depths of Peru's challenging Cotahuasi Canyon Road. Located about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Arequipa in the heart of the Southern Andes, Cotahuasi. Canyon is known for being one of the deepest canyons in the world.

Paso Esperanza is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.782m (15,689ft) above the sea level, located in the Puno region, in Peru.

Laguna Rajucolta is a high mountain glacial lake at an elevation of 4.280m (14,041ft)  above the sea level, located in the Huaraz Province, in the Ancash Region of Peru.

Located in the heart of the Central Andes of Peru, the journey through the glacial lakes of the Junín region is a high-altitude experience that tests both driver and machine. This remote track connects three stunning Andean mirrors: Laguna Alcacocha, Laguna Tarusmachay, and Laguna Oshgomachay, offering a unique traverse through the desolate beauty of the Meseta de Bombón.

Abra Achallaque is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.962m (16,279ft) above the sea level, located in the Departamento de Arequipa, Peru.

Alto Lagonilla is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.410m (14,468ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Lampa in Peru.

Laguna Ampatune is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.280m (14,041ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Quispicanchi Province.

The road flanking the western slopes of Qullqi (also known as Colqui) is one of the most extreme high-altitude tracks in the Huarochirí Province of Peru. While the mountain peak towers well above 5,000 meters, the narrow gravel road itself reaches a staggering 4,765m (15,633ft) above sea level. This is a primitive Andean route where the thin air, the vertical drops, and the 29 relentless switchbacks create a mechanical and mental test that is only suitable for prepared 4x4 vehicles and experienced mountain drivers.

The LM-120 is a massive high-altitude transit located in the Department of Lima, Peru. Stretching for 140 km (87 miles) from Tinco to San Mateo, this unpaved route is a true Andean challenge. While technically navigable by passenger cars in dry weather, a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle is strongly recommended to manage the loose gravel, steep gradients, and the thin air of the highlands.

Laguna Huaroncocha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.580m (15,026ft) above the sea level located in the province of Huaral in Peru.

Located on the border of La Libertad and Ancash regions in northwestern Peru, the Mollepata-Pallasca road is a very exciting journey in the heart of the Andes mountain range.

Located in the Pallasca Province of Ancash, Peru, the road to Bolognesi is simply terrible: gravel surface, huge drops and very narrow.

Laguna Quequerane is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.034m (13,234ft) above the sea level located in the region of Puno, in Peru.

The Cuncush Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.601m (15,095ft) above the sea level, located in the in the Ancash Region of Peru.

Tuco is a high mountain town at an elevation of 4.725m (15,501ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes, in the Cordillera Blanca in northwestern central Peru.

Abra Chimboya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.114m (16,778ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between the regions of Cusco and Puno, in Peru. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

Mina Caylloma is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 4.947m (16,230ft) above the sea level, located in the Arequipa Region of southern Peru.

Located in the Lima Region of Peru, Carretera LI-117 is a high mountain road with hairpin turns and dangerous dropoffs.

Abra Llamaorgo is an extreme mountain pass reaching an elevation of 4,700m (15,419ft) above sea level, located in the Department of Huancavelica, Peru. This high-altitude route is a true test for any driver, offering raw Andean scenery and challenging gradients in one of the most remote regions of the country.

Located in La Libertad Region, Carretera Chagual-El Pallar is a very dangerous high mountain road.

The LM-116 (Carretera Barba Blanca-Autisha), located in the Huarochirí Province of the Lima Region, is widely regarded as one of the most nerve-wracking drives in the Peruvian Andes. This road follows the deep canyon of the Santa Eulalia River, offering a high-altitude transit that is as spectacular as it is terrifying.

Located in the province Huarochirí in Peru, Carretera Cocachacra-Santiago de Tuna road is one of the most demanding roads of the country. Drivers must remain cautious as the road has been known to claim the lives of careless drivers. Drive with care as this is a mountain road with hairpin curves and dangerous dropoffs.

Laguna Aguascocha is a high-altitude Andean lagoon situated at an elevation of 4,370m (14,337ft) above sea level in the Cordillera Blanca of northwestern central Peru. Located within the Huascarán National Park, the access route is via the AN-844 (also referenced as AN-1295 in sections), a 18.7 km unpaved corridor. This road serves as a vital logistical link between the paved Highway 3-N and the Mina Tuco mining site, crossing extreme terrain and passing secondary water bodies such as Laguna Yanacocha.

Abra Huamina is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.284m (14,055ft) above the sea level, located in Ayacucho region, in south-central Peru.

Laguna Lulicocha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.285m (14,058ft) above the sea level located in the province of Pasco in Peru. The road is very rough--only try driving it in a 2wd car, if you're planning to buy a new car.

Puente Chucusvalle is a metallic modular bridge located on the boundary between the regions of La Libertad and Ancash in northwestern Peru, crossing the Tablachaca River. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Abra de Lares is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.443m (14,576ft) above the sea level, located in Calca Province of Cusco Region of Peru.

The Cacanapunta Pass is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.162m (13,654ft) above the sea level, located in the in the Ancash Region of Peru.

Laguna Huascachoca is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.485m (14,714ft) above the sea level, located in the Lima Region, in western Peru.

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