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 Tolconi is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.860m (15,945ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Arequipa Region.

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.

Abra Chaucha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,728m (15,511ft) above sea level, located in Peru.

Abra Canchenita is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.827m (15,836ft) above the sea level, located in the Carhuaz Province, Ancash Region, Peru.

Abra Sandia is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.495m (14,747ft) above the sea level, located in the Sandia Province, in Puno Region, Peru. The zone is prone to heavy mist and can be dangerous in low visibility conditions.  Avalanches and landslides can occur anytime.

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.

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.

JU105 is a high mountain road located on the eastern slopes of the Andes, in the middle Tarma Province in Peru.

Laguna Chichis is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.539m (14,891ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the province Huarochirí.

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.

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.

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.

Ticsani Volcano is a volcano in the Andes of Peru, at an elevation of 4.875m (15,994ft) above the sea level, located in the Moquegua Region, Mariscal Nieto Province, in the districts of Cuchumbaya and San Cristóbal, in Peru.

Huayunca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.115m (16,781ft) above the sea level, located located in Peru in Departamento de Apurimac, on the boundary of Cusco and Apurimac regions. It’s one of the highest roads of the country.

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.

Laguna Alcacocha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.366m (14,324ft) above the sea level, located in Central Peru, in the province Junín in the region Junín.

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.

Laguna T'inkiqucha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.365m (14,320ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Lauricocha Province, Cauri District.

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.

Laguna Saytococha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.459m (14,629ft) above the sea level, located in the Sandia Province, in Puno Region, Peru. The zone is prone to heavy mist and can be dangerous in low visibility conditions. Avalanches and landslides can occur anytime.

The Qullqi is a mountain peak at an elevation of 5.038m (16,529ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Lima Region, Huarochirí Province, Huanza District.

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.

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.

Abra Llamaorgo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.700m (15,419ft) above the sea level, located in the Department of Huancavelica, Peru.

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

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.

Mirador de Carhuayno is a natural viewpoint at an elevation of 3.695m (1,2122ft) above the sea level, located in the Huancaya District, in the province of Yauyos in 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.

Laguna Aguascocha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.370m (14,337ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes, in the Cordillera Blanca in northwestern central 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.

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.

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 Patarqucha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.130m (13,549ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Lauricocha Province, Cauri District.

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

Located in the Lima Region of Peru, Carretera Barba Blanca-Autisha is one of the scariest roads of the country. Drivers must remain cautious as the journey 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.

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