PERU - From Cajamarca to Huaraz

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SOS - Slowers Olders Smarters

Cyclist tourist

351 mi.

35,652 ft.

Pallasca and the Cañón del Pato, we enter the Cordillera Blanca. One of the most beautiful routes in the world.

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Route Details

Starting from Cajamarca, the capital of the province of the same name, you begin entering valleys inhabited by people still wearing traditional clothing. Reaching @point[Mollebamba](d,276551.34), you’ll find yourself at the start of what is surely one of the most beautiful stages of the entire journey—the road to Pallasca. Early in the morning, you dive into the descent toward Mollepata and then continue down to the valley floor. At the bottom, some cyclists prefer to follow the river, but constant landslides often block the way, forcing detours or impossible climbs back up. About one kilometer before the end of the descent, the climb begins on the opposite side.

The descent from @slice[Pallasca to Chuquicara](d,314283.6,389645.1) is another wow moment for the beauty of the surroundings: narrow roads where huge buses pass just inches from the edge, dramatic canyons, and vast valleys rising on the horizon.

At the bottom of the valley—yes, once again, Peru is an endless up and down—the next day brings the entrance to the Cañón del Pato: 100 kilometers, 35 unlit tunnels, plenty of dust and dirt roads, all spiced up with the traffic of drivers considered among the worst in the world.

The Cañón del Pato is beautiful, breathtaking, overwhelming, narrow, and dizzying—but it’s one of those must-ride roads for any self-respecting traveler. Once again, the beauty of this incredible country captivates us.

After the Cañón del Pato, you reach Caraz and then Yungai, the starting point of the Huascarán Loop (described in another itinerary). For those who prefer less demanding roads, it’s possible to continue to Huaraz with another fairly easy day on the road.

## General Tips
* **Food**: Restaurant prices (non-tourist ones) are low, making it unnecessary to cook for yourself.
* **Accommodation**: It is possible to wild camp.
* **Safety**: Peru is a safe country, but…
* **Bicycles**: Standard touring tires are sufficient, but better a little wider.
* **Water**: Be careful, there may be nothing between one town and the next.
* **Traffic**: In South America, cyclists are not respected — be extremely careful. Peruvians are considered the worst drivers in the world.
* **Clothing**: Hot during the day, cool at night.
* **Communications**: Remember that speaking a little Spanish is always best. Few people speak English. Duolinguo is a good free application to study it.
#
## Route
NOTE Below are our steps, each point is described as follows: City of arrival length_approximate_stage x positive elevation gain (BOGOTA 60 km x 1200 meters); some notes.
* **@slice[Aguas calientes](d,505.3,90445.9)** 90 x 1.200 – Three climbs, max 8%. Nice stage
* **@slice[Cajabamba](d,90511.2,123179.5)** 35 x 800 – All uphill, 4–8%.
* **@slice[Huamachuco](d,123481,176817.3)** 55 x 1.150 – Manageable gradients with some ramps at 9–11%.
* **@slice[Cachicadan](d,177972.9,230663.7)** 55 x 650 - A few tough ramps and some fords, but overall a beautiful road.
* **@slice[Mollebamba](d,231098.2,276759.1)** 50 x 1.200 – A good stage with great scenery.
* **@slice[Pallasca](d,276438.8,313353.3)** 40 x 1.100 – 60 switchbacks, the most beautiful stage. At the bottom of the descent, don’t continue along the river—the road is often blocked by landslides.
* **@slice[Chuquicara](d,313865.7,390485.6)** 80 x 200 - Fantastic valley: 25 km steep dirt descent, 25 km mixed asphalt/dirt gentle descent, 25 km on Route 3N.
* **@slice[Huallanca](d,390860.6,457011.4)** 70 x 1.200 - Another stunning stage. Not too difficult.
* **@slice[Caraz](d,455927.1,496043.5)** 40 x 1.000 - Beautiful climb through the Cañón del Pato.
* **@slice[Yungai](d,496995.9,509251.7)** 15 x 300 – Easy, short stage to reach the start of the Huascarán Loop.
* **@slice[Huaraz](d,509794.1,564739.6)** 55 x 950 – Tappa di trasferimento a Huaraz.

PERU - From Cajamarca to Huaraz

Route Overview

Route Details

Other routes by SOS - Slowers Olders Smarters

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PERU - From Cajamarca to Huaraz

Route Overview

Route Details

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