Abra del Acay is a climb of 38.5 kilometers (hors catégorie). Abra del Acay tops out at 4,943 m above sea level. It is located in Municipio de La Poma, Salta, Argentina. The average gradient is 5.0% with a maximum of 15.5%. The climb has 1930 meters of elevation gain.
Difficulty breakdown: This 38.5 km climb is a pure endurance test. Its main difficulty lies in its length and the gradual increase in gradient. The first half (KM 0-19) has moderate gradients (1-4%), acting as a "warm-up" section. The real challenge starts after KM 19, with a series of steep sections (7-9%) over nearly 20 km, peaking at 9% at KM 29.
Pacing advice:
1. Pacing: Start at a controlled pace for the first 19 km. Avoid going over your limit so you save energy for the steepest sections.
2. Know your key sections: Mentally map out the hard stretches (e.g. KM 24-27 at 7-8%, KM 29-33 at 8-9%). Ease off a touch before these sections so you hit them with fresher legs.
3. Use the flat sections: The two 0% stretches (KM 21-22 and the end of KM 38) are crucial opportunities to recover actively without stopping (spin the legs easily, drink).
For riders who've tackled it, the climb up the Abra del Acay is far more than just a hill: it's a rite of passage on the roof of the legendary Ruta 40, brushing past 5000 metres of altitude. Riders describe endless landscapes and a dizzying sense of vastness, a sensory reward that stays with you for life.
It's a hard ride, and riders are upfront about it. The main challenge isn't just the gradient, it's the puna, the altitude sickness. Their advice is worth its weight in gold: ride slowly, drink plenty in the days leading up to it, and avoid going too hard near the top, where the wind can be so strong you can barely stand.
The road surface, a dirt and rock track, adds to the adventure. Riders mention river crossings (fords) to get through, where the water level changes with the season, and an uneven surface that demands constant attention. The ideal time seems to be the dry season, from September to January, since the rains can make the river crossings impassable and the road dangerous.
Despite the challenges, the emotion of reaching the summit is unanimous. Riders talk about a once-in-a-lifetime experience, pure adrenaline and an unforgettable sense of accomplishment. It's the meeting of epic scenery, curious llamas and the intense feeling of being somewhere truly out of the ordinary, which makes the effort more than worth it.
38.5 km • 1930 m D+
VAM: average climbing speed, based on elevation gain
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