Alto de Letras (The King of Mountain Climbs)
The mythical climb of South America. Rising over 10,400 vertical feet continuously across 50 miles, Alto de Letras is the longest continuous mountain climb on the planet. Begins in the stifling 90°F heat of the Magdalena River Valley at Mariquita and summits at a freezing 12,096 feet in the windswept volcanic páramo of Nevado del Ruiz, before descending into the coffee plantations of Manizales.
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An authentic, unspoiled 19th-century Lowcountry fishing hamlet nestled deep inside the Francis Marion National Forest on Jeremy Creek. Home to South Carolina's premier working shrimp fleet, completely untouched by mass tourism. T.W. Graham is an authentic former general store turned seafood sanctuary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many curves and miles is Alto de Letras (The King of Mountain Climbs)? ▼
Alto de Letras (The King of Mountain Climbs) spans 52 miles and packs approximately 380 curves (7.3 curves per mile) with an elevation delta of 1,620 ft - 12,096 ft (Paso Alto de Letras) and technical rating 9/10.
Where are the start and end coordinates? ▼
The route starts at Mariquita, Tolima, Colombia (Latitude 5.1978, Longitude -74.8967) and finishes at Manizales Coffee Capital, Caldas, Colombia (Latitude 5.0689, Longitude -75.5174).
How can I download the GPX file for GPS navigation? ▼
Click the "Download Free GPX" button on this guide. The standard XML file is 100% free and ready to load into Garmin zūmo, BMW Motorrad Connected, Rever, Scenic, or Google Maps.