The summit
4,895 metres.
rodoluca — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Jason Hollinger — CC BY 2.0 · Daniel P. Gauer from Porto Alegre, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Daniel P. Gauer from Porto Alegre, Brasil — CC BY 2.0 · Maximiliano Andrés Pérez — CC BY 2.0 · Maximiliano Andrés Pérez — CC BY 2.0
Abra del Acay is a mountain pass in Salta province where National Route 40 reaches the highest point of its entire length, 4,895 metres at kilometre 4601, higher than Mont Blanc in the Alps. It sits on the western slope of the Nevado de Acay, nearly six thousand metres high, about 45 kilometres from San Antonio de los Cobres and 46 from the village of La Poma. The pass links the cold, barren Puna plateau with the upper Calchaquí valley, so within hours travellers drop from bare mountains to a valley watered by snowmelt, with green fields and red hills. It was declared a provincial natural monument in 1995 to protect its mountain scenery. Crossing is free, but the road is narrow, steep gravel, a 4x4 is advised, and snow makes it practically impassable in winter. The thin air at this height calls for care and short stops.
4,895 metres.
Barren heights.
Green fields.
National Route 40, La Poma department, Salta province
It is advised: the road is narrow, steep gravel, and snow makes it impassable in winter.