Cordillera Huayhuash Ancash Mining Road

This brutal mining road circles Peru’s Cordillera Huayhuash, threading between 6,000-meter peaks and abandoned copper extraction sites dating to the 1960s. Starting from Chiquián, the route climbs through Llamac village before hitting serious technical terrain around Punta Cuyoc pass at 4,750 meters. Old mining infrastructure litters the landscape—rusted equipment, collapsed adits, and the skeletal remains of the Raura mine operation that once employed hundreds.

Extreme difficulty demands modified 4WD with low-range, rock armor, and self-recovery gear. The rocky technical sections between Huayhuash and Diablo Mudo require advanced driving skills and mechanical aptitude. Best attempted June through August when snow clears the high passes. No permits needed for the mining roads, but trekking areas require fees. Expect multiple tire repairs and carry extensive spares. The reward: accessing one of Peru’s most spectacular and isolated mountain circuits without the crowds of traditional trekking routes.