Where Is Abra Arcata?
Peru, south-america
N/A
4,700 m
moderate
Year-round
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! I just found the ultimate off-the-beaten-path experience in the Arequipa region of Peru: Abra Arcata. At a staggering 16,735 feet above sea level, this pass is one of the highest roads in the whole country!
You'll find it snaking through the Cotahuasi Subbasin Landscape Reserve in the southwestern part of Peru. The entire road is unpaved, taking you past the Arcata gold and silver mine at about 15,419 feet.
The climb is pretty intense until you hit the mine, but after that, it mellows out into a gentler, seriously gorgeous ascent to the summit. Expect some seriously rocky sections, water crossings, and tight switchbacks, but don't worry, the surface is generally pretty decent, and the gradients won't kill you. Just be warned that the road does cut through a mine at one point—how wild is that?!
The whole route is a great experience that plunges you into total isolation before beginning its descent into the valley.
Road Details
- Country
- Peru
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 4,700 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
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