4736 m a.s.l.
Punta Olímpica
500 m Distance
15 m Elevation gain
10 min Duration
Easy Difficulty
Recommended
May–Septemberbut it can be done all year round.
Ideal for
panoramic views of the Cordillera Blanca
Access
Tour or private car.How to get there
From Huaraz
Take the road towards Carhuaz, then the road towards Chacas through Quebrada Ulta.
2h50
Approximately, by car, climbing one of Áncash's most spectacular roads to Túnel Punta Olímpica.
Punta Olímpica
This area is part of Parque Nacional Huascarán.
Start of the trek
Explore the viewpoints and various trails, or enjoy the views without hiking.
Description
Punta Olímpica is one of Perú's most spectacular mountain passes and one of the main connections between Callejón de Huaylas and the Conchucos area. The road crosses the Cordillera Blanca at 4,736 m a.s.l., where Túnel Punta Olímpica, considered the world's highest road tunnel, is located.
The pass offers impressive high-mountain scenery, with views of the intensely turquoise lagunas Belaunde and Cancaraca, and peaks such as Huascarán, Contrahierbas, Ulta and Chopicalqui. Its slopes and long descents have also made the road popular with cyclists and longboarders.
Reaching this point was not always so easy. Before the road was renovated and the tunnel built, the old pass was considered for years one of the world's most dangerous road sections because of its tight bends, steep slopes and narrow width.
Flora and fauna
- Queñual trees
- Quishuares
- Ichu
- Wild lupin
- Muña
- Andean flowers such as shallga
- Cultivated fields
- Vizcachas
- Caracaras
- Andean ducks
- Condors
- Livestock
Recommendations
Hiking shoes
Cap or hat
Sunglasses
Warm jacket
Rain jacket
Sunscreen
Water
Snacks and/or lunch
Map
Map of Punta Olímpica
GPS track to be added.
Trails can change. Do not use this space as a navigation guide.
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