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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 Tototral is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.342m (14,245ft) above the sea level located in the province of Yauyos in 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.

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.

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 Puywanqucha is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.685m (15,370ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Lauricocha Province, Cauri District.

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

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.

Located on the border of La Libertad and Ancash regions in northwestern Peru, Puente Chucusvalle is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Paso Pacoorcco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.758m (15,610ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes of Peru, in the Moquegua Region, General Sánchez Cerro Province, Ubinas District.

Mina Corihuarmi is an open-pit gold mine at an elevation of 4.883m (16,020ft) above the sea level, located in Junín, a region in the central highlands and westernmost Peruvian Amazon.

Wamp'una is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.843m (15,889ft) above the sea level, located in Lima Province in Peru.

Laguna Cochachuyo is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.324m (14,186ft) 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.

Located in the province Huaral in Peru, Carretera Sumbilca-Pacaybamba is one of the most extreme 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.

Laguna Oshgomachay is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.430m (14,534ft) above the sea level, located  in Central Peru, in the province Junín in the region Junín.

Laguna Tarusmachay is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4.443m (14,576ft)  above the sea level, located  in Central Peru, in the province Junín in the region Junín.

Hatun K'irawniyuq is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.407m (14,458ft) above the sea level, located in the Arequipa Region in the Andes of Peru.

Carretera Chicrin-Cerro de Pasco is a high mountain road located in the Pasco region, in central Peru. The road runs entirely over 3.500m above the sea level.

Paso Don Mario is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.739m (15,547ft) above the sea level, located in the Junín region, in central Peru.

Paso Wiswillani is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.807m (15,771ft) above the sea level, located in the Arequipa Region of Peru.

Laguna Pumacocha is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.370m (14,337ft) above the sea level, located in the Yauyos Province, in the Lima Region of Peru.

Paso Huachococha is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.366m (14,324ft) above the sea level, located in the region Ancash, in central Peru.

Alto de Tapacocha is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4.732m (15,524ft) above the sea level, located in the province Recuay in Peru.

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.

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