Cordillera Huayhuash Ancash Mining Road
Extreme mining road around Peru's hidden peaks
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.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 78 mi / 125 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15584 ft |
| Best season | June-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Chiquián, Ancash |
| Land manager | Comunidad Campesina |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Tacoma run this trail, or does it need to be built?
A stock vehicle will not cut it here. You need a modified 4WD with skid plates, rock sliders, and ideally a lift — the rocky mining road sections will destroy unprotected undercarriage, and you'll be far from any recovery help.
Is the Huayhuash mining road accessible outside of June through August?
Outside of dry season, the dirt sections become dangerously muddy and river crossings swell unpredictably — some become impassable. The wet season runs roughly October through April; attempting this trail then is a serious gamble even in a well-built rig.
Do I need permits to drive this trail, and is there an entry fee?
The land is managed by local Comunidades Campesinas, and you may be stopped at informal checkpoints where a small fee is collected — typically a few soles. There's no formal national permit system, but carry cash, respect the community gatekeepers, and don't try to bluff your way through.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The most brutal sections are the high passes above 15,000 ft where loose shale and off-camber shelf road combine with altitude-thinned air — your engine will be gasping and so will you. If a tire goes here, you're changing it on a crumbling ledge with no guardrail and no cell service, so double-check your spare and recovery gear before you leave Chiquián.
Where do I fill up on gas and water for a 3-4 day loop through this range?
Fuel up fully in Chiquián before departing — there are no gas stations on the circuit. For water, streams exist along the route but carry a filter; mining activity in the area means contamination is a real risk, not a hypothetical one.
Trail track
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