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.

Laguna Ashcajocha is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.383m (14,379ft) above the sea level, located in the region Ayacucho of Peru.

Carretera San Francisco de Mosca-Antapirca is a high mountain road located in the Pasco region, in central Peru. The road runs entirely over 2.000m above the sea level.

Abra Progreso is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.432m (14,540ft) above the sea level, located in the Grau Province in Peru.

Pampa Galeras-Barbara D'Achille is a national reserve located in the district and province of Lucanas, department of Ayacucho, in Central Peru. Its main purpose is to protect the habitat of the vicuña.

Laguna Saquicocha is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.397m (14,425ft) above the sea level, located in the Ancash Region of Peru.

Located in the province of Huaral in Peru, Carretera LM-110 is one of the scariest roads of the country.

Laguna Gallococha is a high mountain lagoon, at an elevation of 4.815m (15,797ft) above the sea level, located in the Department of Lima, in Central Peru.

Cerro Yaritani is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.956m (16,259ft) located in Cusco Region, southeastern Peru.

Cerro Iglisane is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5.052m (16,574ft) above the sea level, located in the General Sánchez Cerro Province in Peru.

Laguna Chiuri is a high mountain lagoon, at an elevation of 4.828m (15,839ft) above the sea level, located in the Department of Lima, in Central Peru.

Yantahuain is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.223m (13,854ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes-Cordillera in north-western Peru.

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Laguna Jalcuy is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.925m (16,158ft) above the sea level, located on the border of Lima and Pasco regions, in Peru.

Cañon del Rio Puchka is the name of a very challenging drive located in the Ancash region of Peru.

Located in the Huarochirí Province of the Department of Lima in Peru, the Infiernillo Canyon is an impressive geological formation carved by the turbulent waters of Rímac river.

El Cañón de los Perdidos is a very scenic canyon located in the Ica province of Peru. The road to the canyon is challenging to find, as some sections are missing or unmarked, requiring you to navigate through the open desert. The canyon extends 5 km and was discovered in 2011. Formed by the erosion of the Río Seco, it features a lagoon and is frequented by vultures.

Pampa Huilacollo is a high mountain plateau at an elevation of 4.625m (15,173ft) above the sea level, located in the province Mariscal Nieto in Moquegua Region, Peru. The average gradient is 11.46%.

Abra Huayta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,323m (17,463ft) above sea level, located in the province of Castilla in Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

The challenging Puente Camino a Huanaccmarca, located in the Coronel Castañeda District of the Parinacochas Province in Peru, is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Planning a train journey to Peru’s iconic Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, combines adventure, history, and stunning landscapes. But without a clear strategy, the logistics can feel overwhelming. Let’s break down the process step-by-step to ensure your journey is seamless and unforgettable.

Laguna Yanco is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.444m (14,580ft) above the sea level, located in the Aija Province, of the Ancash Region in Peru.

Quiscapampa is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5,351m (17,555ft) above sea level, located in Chachas District, in the Castilla Province of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Chila is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5,260m (17,257ft) above sea level, located in Chachas District, in the Castilla Province of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Cerro Llacsacocha is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 4,980m (16,338ft) above sea level, located in the Yauli Province of central Peru. Situated in the heart of the Morococha mining district, the road to the summit is a brutal high-altitude climb that tests both vehicle performance and driver endurance in the Junín Region.

Part of the Panamerican Highway, Ruta Nacional 5 is said to be Chile's longest route. It's a notoriously dangerous drive filled with deep valleys, steep drops, and desert.

Abra Caballuni is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,960m (16,272ft) above sea level, located in the Puno Province of Peru.

A 42-kilometer pilgrimage through cloud forests, ancient stonework, and thin air, reserved for those who earn every step.

Abra Tsactsapunta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,472m (14,671ft) above sea level, located in the Yungay Province of Peru.

Abra Chucuito is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,471m (14,668ft) above sea level, located in the department of Cusco in Peru.

Chuañuma is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 5,283m (17,332ft) above sea level, located in Chachas District, in the Castilla Province of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Abra Ucchuchacua is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,740 m (15,551 ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Yanahuanca and Oyón districts of Peru.

Laguna Capalococha is a remote high-mountain lagoon situated at an elevation of 4,623m (15,167ft) above sea level in the Huaylas Province of Peru. Nestled deep within the Ancash Region, the road to this glacial lake is one of the most secluded and demanding tracks in the Cordillera Blanca range.

You don't need Spanish road signs until you do. Usually unexpectedly. You rent a car to explore Peru. In a Chevrolet Aveo, you see foreign words you haven't seen since high school.Alto? Velocidad?

Laguna Canchiscocha, Laguna Fudococha, and Laguna Tayacocha are three high mountain lagoons located in the Yungay Province of Peru.

Located in central Peru, Carretera 5N is a high-risk mountain road connecting the Pasco and Huánuco regions. The route runs for 202 km (125 miles), starting in Oxapampa—a town known for its unique German-Austrian architecture—and ending in Nuevo Trujillo. The road follows deep canyons and crosses extreme terrain on the eastern slopes of the Andes.

Located in the Junín Region of Peru, Carretera 104 is a high-mountain road. Set on the eastern slopes of the Andean Cordillera Oriental, the route connects the city of Jauja with San Ramón. It is a hazardous link between the high Andes and the Chanchamayo Province.

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