Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the centre of Tilcara, walk south-east out of the village to the start of the camino peatonal, the pedestrian path to the Garganta del Diablo. It climbs steadily up the dry hillside above the Huasamayo, with wide views back over Tilcara and the Quebrada de Humahuaca, and enters the gorge, where tall walls of folded rock close in. Paths lead to a viewpoint over the narrowest part, the Garganta del Diablo, and down towards its waterfall. Return the same way.
It is 7.6 km there and back with 403 m of ascent; allow about 3 hours. The grade is Moderate: a clear, stony path with a steady climb, at 2,500 to 2,800 m.
A local community usually collects a small fee near the gorge. Take the climb slowly at this height, carry water and sun protection, and keep out of the gorge and its stream bed if storms threaten in the summer rainy season.
Tilcara is on Ruta 9, about 85 km north of San Salvador de Jujuy, with frequent buses. A gravel track also reaches the gorge by car.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The gorge is cut by the Huasamayo river into the hills east of Tilcara
- Tilcara's Pucará, a partly rebuilt pre-Hispanic hilltop settlement, stands just outside the village
- A pedestrian path climbs to the gorge beside the vehicle track
- Tilcara lies on the Río Grande in the Quebrada de Humahuaca at about 2,465 m
Getting there
Start: Tilcara, main square. -23.57634, -65.39597
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Tilcara: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.
