Abra del Acay

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Distances from the Abra. Behind is the snowed top of the Gemelos volcanoes.
Distances from the Abra. Behind is the snowed top of the Gemelos volcanoes.

The abra del Acay may be the world's highest point over a National Route. It is in La Poma Departament, in the Salta Province, Argentina; around 30 km southeast from San Antonio de los Cobres. Its geographical coordinates are 24°23′″S, 66°14′″W, and its altitude (measured by GPS) is 5061 m, even though an old sign informs visitors it stands at 4895 m.

The abra del Acay was inaugurated on 1960-07-08, after three years of construction.

This unpaved part of the National Route 40 is only suitable for all terrain vehicles, with the exception of some months in the year when meteorological and maintenance conditions allow normal vehicles to transit. The road inclination of 4.5 % and the oxygen reduction due to altitude make the crossing difficult for both vehicles and humans.

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