Central Highway — Lima to La Oroya via TiclioPass.
Distance
185 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
4,400 m
Central Highway — Lima to La Oroya via Ticlio Pass.
One of the fastest sea-to-summit climbs on Earth. Peru's Carretera Central (PE-22) rises from Lima at sea level to the Ticlio pass at 4,818m in barely 130km, following the Rímac gorge into the high Andes before dropping to the mining town of La Oroya. Altitude sickness is a real hazard — ascend steadily.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance185 km
Days1
Total climb4,400 m
DifficultyChallenging
Loading map...
The route.
LimaStart · Start at sea level in Lima. The Carretera Central climbs to nearly 4,900m in under 130km — one of the steepest sustained ascents anywhere. Watch for soroche (altitude sickness).
ChosicaScenic Point · The city of eternal sun, where Limeños escape the coastal fog. Last low-altitude town before the Rímac valley narrows sharply.
MatucanaScenic Point · A green Andean valley town at 2,378m, km74 on the highway. Good place to rest, eat and let your body adjust before the thin air above.
Ticlio / Abra Anticona (4,818m)Mountain Pass · The highest point of the highway at 4,818m and the continental divide of the Andes. Air holds half the oxygen of sea level here — do not linger if you feel unwell.
La OroyaEnd · End in La Oroya, the smelter town and central-Andes crossroads at 3,750m. Gateway onward to Huancayo and the central jungle.
More routes in Peru
Kuélap Fortress Road — Chachapoyas to LeymebambaPE AMA · 140 kmCusco to Puno — La Raya Pass & the Ruta del SolPE CUS · 390 kmManu Road — Cusco to Pilcopata via AcjanacoPE CUS · 230 kmCentral Jungle Descent — Tarma to La MercedPE JUN · 75 kmCañón del Pato — Huaraz to Huallanca via the 35 TunnelsPE ANC · 150 kmPampa Galeras — Nazca to Cusco Andes CrossingPE ICA · 660 km
Save this ride. Open the app.
Clone it to your planner, customize dates and stops, then ride. All free.
Open in MotoVault
Navigate this route with GPS