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 de Salinas is a salt lake at an elevation of 4,335 meters (14,222 feet) above sea level, located in the Arequipa Region of Peru.

Located in the region of Ancash of Peru, Punta Olimpica Tunnel is one of the highest vehicular tunnels in the world, at an elevation of 4.735m (15,535ft) above sea level.

Mina Acumulación Mariela is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 5,298m (17,381ft) above sea level, located on the boundary between the Puno and Moquegua regions of Peru. It’s one of the highest roads in the country.

Located in the region of Cajamarca, in the northern part of Peru, the road from Balzas to Celendín tests the skill, and courage, of any driver. Hair raising stuff. There is absolutely no room for mistakes.

Cañon del Río Mantaro is a scenic canyon located in the Huancavelica region of Peru. The road through the canyon is extreme and not for everybody..

Carretera Celendín-Yerbabuena is a very scary winding mountain road located in the region of Cajamarca, in Peru. Hair raising stuff! There is absolutely no room for mistakes.

Carretera Púsac-Uchumarca is a high mountain road located in the Bolívar Province of Peru. This road tests the skill and courage of any driver. It’s definitely not for those suffering from vertigo or a fear of landslides.

Lago Junín is a high mountain lake at an elevation of 4,182m (13,720ft) above sea level, located in the Junín Region of Peru.

Cañon de Cotahuasi is a very scenic yet challenging canyon located in the Department of Arequipa, in the Province of La Union, Peru. It’s said to be the deepest canyon in the Americas.

Located within the Bahuaja Sonene National Park in the province Sandia in Peru, Puente del Rio Inambari is a short wooden bridge located near the Bolivian border over the Inambari River. It’s one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Located in the northern Amazon region of Peru, Iquitos is the largest city in the world with no roads connecting to other regions or countries. The city can only be reached by boat, plane, or a cul-de-sac road, that links only one town.

Abra Chonta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,875 m (15,994 ft) above sea level, located in the Huancavelica Region of Peru.

Chiquián is a high mountain town at an elevation of 3,410 m (11,187 ft) above sea level, located in the Ancash Region of Peru.

Abra Culipampa is a high mountain pass located in the Apurímac region of Peru, sitting at an elevation of 4,834m (15,859ft) above sea level.

Laguna Parón is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4,200m (13,779 ft) above sea level, located in the Caraz District of Peru.

Carretera Cincha-Huanca is a high mountain road located in the Andes of Peru, in the Caylloma Province, running entirely over 2,500m above sea level.

Abra Yanama is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,654m (15,269ft) above sea level, located in the Cusco Region of Peru.

Laguna de Patón is a high mountain lagoon at an elevation of 4.150m (13,615ft) above sea level located in the province of Oyón in the Department of Lima, in Peru.

Abra Pirhuayani is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4,725m (15,501 ft) above sea level, located in the Quispicanchi Province of Peru. The pass is higher than any mountain in the lower 48 states of the US.

Acantilados de Ocoña is a very scenic and dangerous cliff drive over the Pacific Ocean in Peru.

Crucero Alto is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.528m (14,855ft) above sea level, located in the Puno department of Peru.

Carretera 663 is one of the scariest roads in the world. Located in Huamalíes Province of Peru, the road is only wide enough for one vehicle, and in many places, it is bordered by a drop of 300 meters, unprotected by guardrails. It’s one of the most hairpinned roads in the worldhairpinned roads in the world.

Abra Arcata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5,101m (16,735ft) above sea level, located in the Arequipa region of Peru. It's one of the highest roads in Peru.

Laguna Llaca is an alpine lake with turquoise-green waters at an elevation of 4.467m (14,655 9ft) above the sea level, located in the province of Huaraz, in the Ancash region of Peru.

Located on the eastern-central region of Ancash, in Peru, the Punta Olimpica Old Road is a scary experience running near the abyss. Rock falls have blocked this road and it’s no longer passable in a car but is okay on a bike.

Pastoruri glacier is a cirque glacier at an elevation of 4.955m (16,256ft) above the sea level, located in the Andes mountain range, in Northern Peru in the Ancash region.

Abra Antajirca is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.783m (15,692ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Lima and Pasco regions, in Peru.

Abra Loncopata is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.100m (16,732ft) above the sea level, located in Arequipa region in southwestern Peru. The road features 20% gradient sections. It's one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Abra Huacullo is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.002m (16,410ft) above the sea level, located in the Apurímac region of Peru. It's one of the highest mountain roads of Peru.

Mina Santa Rosa is an open-pit mine at an elevation of 5.133m (16,840ft) above the sea level, located in the Puno Region, Puno Province, in the south of the Acora District, in Peru. It’s one of the highest mountain roads of the country.

Located in the Junin Region of Peru, the wooden Upamayo Bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world.

Tipon Inca ruins are located in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range.

Located in northwestern Peru, the Tablachaca bridge is one of the most spectacular bridges in the world. The bridge is 36m long.

Abra de Acjanaco is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 3.502m (11,489ft) above the sea level, located in the province Paucartambo of Peru.

Mala River Canyon is located in the central region of Peru. The route demands 100% concentration. This road has humbled many egos.

Abra Apacheta is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.762m (15,623ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between Huancavelica and Ayacucho regions of Peru.

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