Cuesta del Obispo — Escoipe to Cachi via Piedra del Molino and the Recta del Tin Tin
Cloud forest to cactus desert in one climb.
Cuesta del Obispo (Bishop’s Slope) is a gravel switchback climb on Ruta 33 in Argentina’s Salta Province. It leaves the lowland cloud forest near Escoipe, climbs through the Quebrada de Escoipe with tight turns and sheer drops, and tops out at Piedra del Molino at about 3,348 m (10,985 ft). It’s named for Bishop Fray Cayetano Rodríguez, and the pass has been used since colonial times. Above the pass, you drop onto the Recta del Tin Tin, a dead-straight 20-km section through Parque Nacional Los Cardones, where giant cardón cacti stand along the road. The route ends in Cachi, an adobe town below the snow-capped Nevado de Cachi.
It’s not technical, but the road is narrow with no guardrails, and fog, rockfalls, and oncoming trucks all demand attention. A high-clearance 2WD can do it in dry weather, but 4WD is better, and you’ll want it after rain, when landslides can close sections. Altitude hits fast, so go easy if you’re coming from sea level. Go April to November, because the summer rains (December to March) bring washouts. Fuel up in Salta or Cachi, as there are no services on the pass. You get a full ecosystem change in one day. Have a dirty day.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 110 km |
| Duration | 4-6 hours |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10985 ft |
| Best season | April-November |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 2WD, 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Cachi, Salta |
| Land manager | Dirección Provincial de Vialidad de Salta / Parque Nacional Los Cardones |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Verified | |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4Runner or Hilux handle the Cuesta del Obispo?
Yes. In dry conditions any high-clearance vehicle on all-terrain tires can do it, and plenty of 2WD pickups make the trip daily. 4WD helps on wet or washed-out sections, and you should carry a full-size spare because the gravel is sharp.
Is the Cuesta del Obispo open in winter, and when does it close?
It's usually open year-round, and April to November is the best window with dry, stable gravel. The summer rainy season (roughly December to March) brings landslides, washouts, and thick fog on the climb. In winter, expect cold and occasional ice or light snow near the 10,985 ft summit at Piedra del Molino.
Do I need a permit or have to pay a fee to drive it?
No permit is needed to drive the road, and there's no toll. The Recta del Tin Tin runs through Parque Nacional Los Cardones, so stop at the ranger post for current park rules, entry details, and camping restrictions.
What's the hardest part of the drive?
The switchback climb on the Escoipe side up to Piedra del Molino. It's narrow, often one lane, with steep drop-offs, little or no guardrail, and fog that can cut visibility to a few car lengths. Take it slow, stay alert for oncoming trucks and buses, and use the pullouts to let them pass. The 20 km Recta del Tin Tin at the top is easy by comparison, just fast and washboarded.
Where do I get fuel, and can I count on cell service?
The route is 68 miles, so a full tank is plenty, but fill up in Salta or Chicoana before you start. Cachi has fuel at the other end, though supplies can run short, so carry a spare can if you plan to keep going. Cell service is spotty, so download offline maps and tell someone your plan. Altitude can hit hard near 11,000 ft, so drink water and take it easy at the summit.
Trail track
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