Alto de Letras — Mariquita toManizales.
Distance
85 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
3,220 m
Alto de Letras — Mariquita to Manizales.
Alto de Letras is widely called the longest continuous paved climb in the world — roughly 80km and 3,200m of ascent from tropical Mariquita to the páramo pass at 3,679m, before dropping into the coffee-region capital of Manizales. A legendary test of endurance through five climate zones.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance85 km
Days1
Total climb3,220 m
DifficultyChallenging
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The route.
MariquitaStart · Start in San Sebastián de Mariquita at 495m in tropical Tolima. Ahead is the longest continuous paved climb on Earth — around 80km and 3,200m of gain. Fuel and water up.
FresnoScenic Point · Coffee town on the lower slopes of the climb. Good coffee and a last easy stretch before the road tilts skyward.
Alto de Letras (3,679m)Mountain Pass · The páramo summit at 3,679m and the Tolima–Caldas border. Cold and often fogged in after the tropical heat below — layer up before you arrive.
ManizalesEnd · End in Manizales, the coffee-region capital perched on a ridge at 2,150m, with the Nevado del Ruiz volcano on the skyline.
More routes in Colombia
La Línea — Ibagué to Armenia via the Cordillera CentralCO TOL · 100 kmEl Cocuy Highlands — Duitama to GüicánCO BOY · 230 kmTrampolín de la Muerte — Mocoa to Pasto via Putumayo Cloud ForestCO PUT · 150 kmChicamocha Canyon & Barichara LoopCO SAN · 220 kmMedellín to Guatapé — Stone of El PeñolCO ANT · 150 kmCoffee Region — Salento & Cocora ValleyCO QUI · 100 km
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