Driving the paved 20A road to Laguna La Viuda and Laguna Chuchon
The road to Laguna La Viuda and Laguna Chuchon is a high-altitude journey through the heart of the Cordillera de la Viuda in Peru. Sitting in the Lima Region, these two glacial lakes are the jewels of a route that has recently been transformed from a rough track into the paved Route 20A. However, don't let the fresh asphalt lower your guard; this is a high-mountain environment where the weather rules the road and the thin air at over 4,500 meters tests the endurance of every vehicle and driver that dares to cross the pass.
| Road facts: La Viuda & Chuchon Lakes | |
|---|---|
| Location | Lima Region, Peru |
| Max Elevation | 4,560m (Laguna La Viuda) |
| Road Name | Route 20A |
| Length | 51 km (31.6 miles) |
Where are Laguna La Viuda and Laguna Chuchon located?
Both lakes are nestled high in the Western Andes, in the province of Canta. Laguna La Viuda sits at a staggering 4,560 meters, while its neighbor, Laguna Chuchon, is located slightly lower at 4,465 meters. As you drive the 20A, you are traversing the high-altitude watershed that separates the Pacific and Atlantic basins. This is a desolate, rocky landscape where the lakes provide a stark, blue contrast to the grey granite peaks. The isolation is palpable; despite the improved road, you are far from major services, surrounded only by the thin wind of the puna and the local legends that haunt these mountain crossings.
Is the road to the lakes paved?
Yes, the road through the lakes is the recently paved Route 20A. While the asphalt is in good condition, the driving remains highly technical. As seen in the recent images of the route, the road frequently hugs the shoreline of the lakes with only a standard guardrail separating you from the deep, freezing water. The most critical factor here is the weather; the Cordillera de la Viuda is notorious for sudden, thick fog that can drop visibility to near zero. When the asphalt is wet or icy, the curves become treacherous. You must also be alert for mine trucks that use this route; they take up a lot of space in the hairpins and their braking distance on wet asphalt is significantly longer than a car's.
How long is the road to Laguna La Viuda and Laguna Chuchon?
The road spans 51 kilometers, running east-west from the Abra de la Viuda pass down to the town of Canta. It is a grueling descent (or ascent) that features constant changes in elevation and pressure. At 4,560 meters, your engine will lose about 40% of its power, so keep that in mind when planning overtakes or navigating the steeper sections near Laguna La Viuda. On the long descent toward Canta, you must rely on engine braking to control your speed. If you ride the brakes through the countless curves, you will overheat the pads long before you reach the valley floor. Before heading out, check your battery and cooling system, and always carry warm clothing, as temperatures at the lakes can plummet well below freezing even during the day.