Patapampa Pass is one of the highest paved passes in the Americas

Abra Patapampa is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.879m (16,007ft) above sea level, located in the Caylloma province of the Arequipa region, in Peru. It’s said to be one of the highest paved passes in the Americas.

Is Patapampa Pass paved?

Set high in the Andes, in the southwestern part of the country, the road to the summit, also known as Abra Pata Pampa, is totally paved. It’s called 1S and 109. It’s part of the infamous Road from Chivay to Arequipa.

How long is Patapampa Pass?

The pass is 58.8 km (36.53 miles) long, running north-south from Chivay, a town in southern Peru's Colca Valley, to the 34E road. At the summit are souvenir shops, a natural viewpoint called Mirador de los Andes, and a small parking lot. The impressions at this viewpoint depend solely upon weather conditions.

How is the drive through Patapampa Pass?

The road to the summit is very steep, hitting an 8% maximum gradient through some of the ramps. Watch out for sudden loose-gravel breaks because the surface deteriorates at higher elevations. The surface is not bad, there is little traffic, and the gradients are mostly gentle, which means that despite its height, it is a reasonably easy climb. Near the summit (southwest side), a minor gravel road climbs up to 5,000m (16,404ft) above sea level.