Abra del Acay, Mountain pass in Salta Province, Argentina.
Abra del Acay is a mountain pass in Salta Province that sits at about 4,960 meters (16,270 ft) elevation, making it Argentina's highest navigable point on Route 40. The road follows a narrow gravel track that winds through harsh mountain terrain.
Construction of the pass road began in 1943 and was completed in 1960, opening a high-altitude route through the mountains. This project required cooperation between Argentina's national roads authority and the provincial government.
The pass connects wine-growing valleys below with the high plateau above, showing how communities have linked these distant regions through trade and travel. Local people have used this route for generations as a bridge between the lower valleys and the upper plains.
Travelers should arrive with repair equipment, food, water, and a full fuel tank since services are scarce and mobile coverage is absent in the area. A drive through this region demands a capable vehicle, thorough preparation, and plenty of time.
At this elevation, the air becomes so thin that travelers notice real physical exhaustion, made worse by the constant intense winds. This raw natural experience makes the pass memorable in ways that few other mountain journeys can match.
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