Argentina pass guide
Mountain passes in Argentina.
The northern Andes of Salta and Jujuy carry some of the highest public roads in South America, strung along the old line of Ruta 40.
Abra del Acay is a high, remote Andean crossing on the old Ruta 40 corridor in Salta. It captures a different pass category from the Alpine classics: long gravel approaches, sparse services, huge elevation, and weather exposure far from any tourist infrastructure.
The road is unsealed for much of its length, so vehicle choice and weather windows matter more than gradient. Plan it as part of a longer Salta–Jujuy itinerary rather than a day climb.
The highest summit below: Abra del Acay (4,972 m). Each card opens a full profile with elevation, surface, season, gradient, nearby passes, and route notes.
Compare summit height alongside road character — a long paved through-road fits a different kind of day than a short, steep dead-end climb. Check season and surface before committing, then use the nearby-pass links to chain a longer route together.
