Arequipa · Peru
Abra Patapampa
PE-34AChivay to Arequipa
A fully paved high-altitude road from Colca Canyon to Arequipa, cresting Abra Patapampa at 4,879 m, one of the highest paved passes in the Americas, with panoramas of the active volcanoes Sabancaya and Ampato.
From Chivay at the head of the Colca Canyon the paved road climbs steadily across altiplano grasslands of vicuñas and alpacas. At 4,879 m, Abra Patapampa is marked by stone apachetas and a viewpoint taking in Hualca Hualca, Sabancaya and Ampato, three volcanoes in one panorama. The surface is good, gradients gentle, traffic light, before the long descent through puna to Arequipa.
Scenery
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Abra Patapampa on the map89.3 mi · point to point
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Character
Higher than 9 in 10 roads in the catalogue.
Corners
busiest around mile 72Elevation
under 4%4–8%over 8%2,335.6 – 4,874.2 mPoints of interest3 stops
- Mirador de ChilinaViewpoint85 mi in
- Mirador de los AndesViewpoint18 mi in
- Mirador de Carmen Alto ChilinaViewpoint86 mi in
Hazards
- Altitude sickness above 4,500 m
- Short gravel sections near the summit
- Ice and snow November to April
- Limited rescue services
Sources
“The road to the summit is totally paved. There is little traffic, and the gradients are mostly gentle, which means that despite its height, it is a reasonably easy drive.”
Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked
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