Peru

Peru is a climber's proving ground where thin mountain air and relentless gradients define every effort. With nine catalogued climbs and five rated hors catégorie, this is a country built for riders who chase altitude rather than shy from it. The highest summit crests near 4,910 m, and marquee ascents like Ticlio and Poroquingua carry you deep into the high Andes, where the road keeps rising long after your legs beg it to stop.

The variety here rewards the ambitious. Alto de Colpapampa and Alto de Camilaca test sustained climbing at elevation, while Abra de Porculla and Alto de Tala offer their own demanding character. Together they make Peru a destination for cyclists who measure a ride not in kilometres but in vertical metres earned. Come prepared for altitude, and you'll find some of the most rugged, quietly spectacular climbing anywhere on two wheels.