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.

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.

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.

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

Laguna Jalcuy (also known as Laguna Jalcoy) is a high-altitude mountain lagoon reaching an elevation of 4,925m (16,158ft) above sea level, situated on the border of the Lima and Pasco regions in Peru. Located deep within the Andes, the access road is a remote gravel track demanding specialized vehicle preparation.

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 bridge on the road to Huanaccmarca is a primitive and terrifying river crossing located in the Coronel Castañeda District of the Parinacochas Province, in southern Peru. Perched at an extreme elevation of 4,393m (14,412ft) above sea level, this structure is one of the most precarious crossings in the most spectacular bridges in the world list. It is a makeshift construction of wooden planks laid over a stone and concrete base, designed to save time on a remote mining route where the lack of maintenance and the weight of heavy machinery make every crossing a gamble.

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.

Located in the Aija Province of the Ancash Region in Peru, the road to Laguna Yanco is a high-altitude mountain track reaching an elevation of 4,444m (14,580ft) above sea level. This unpaved route is one of the most technically demanding corridors in the Peruvian Andes due to its extreme vertical gain and complex geometry.

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.

If you want to feel what it’s like to drive on the roof of the world, Cerro Llacsacocha is the place. At 4,980m (16,338ft) above sea level, this isn't a mountain for tourists; it’s an active mining peak in the Yauli Province of central Peru. The air is so thin that both you and your engine will struggle to breathe. It’s a landscape of grey rock, massive excavation pits, and some of the highest dirt tracks you’ll ever find in the Junín Region.

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

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Located on the high-altitude boundary between the Lima and Pasco regions in Peru, the Jatunchacua Pass (locally known as Paso Jatunchacua) is a formidable mountain crossing. Reaching a staggering elevation of 4,833m (15,856ft) above sea level, it stands as one of the highest driveable points in the area, situated just south of the imposing Nevado Retrochero.

The Calla Calla Pass is a high mountain crossing in the northern Peruvian Andes. At 3,600m (11,811ft), the 8B road connects Leimebamba and Balsas over an 88 km stretch. Driving here means dealing with a paved surface that is extremely narrow and in poor condition. The route moves from high-altitude peaks down to the humid forest, which means the road grip and visibility can change from one turn to the next.

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