Winchus Biking Loop Route

We have not included the following route in the second edition of the guide, primarily because the immaculate paving that was in place on the road over Chicarhuapunta in 2013 had long stretches which had crumbled to dust when we re-researched in 2019. The scenery is sill excellent but it no longer looked like a joy to ride. Below is the write up from the first edition:

This second long excursion from Caraz climbs up more than fifty paved switchbacks into the Cordillera Negra. The reward is twofold: magnificent panoramic views of the northern peaks in the Blanca and the chance to ride past towering Puya raimondii. These enormous bromeliads are found in the Bosque de Winchus (Forest of Hummingbirds – which flock to the area when the puya are in bloom), at altitudes of 3900m to 4200m.

Completing the circuit in a day is a massive undertaking – better to split it into two, with a wild camp at about 3400m or, if acclimatized, near 4300m Chicarhuapunta. Between the two the terrain is so steep that finding a camp spot is extremely difficult. Take water from one of the lower villages as higher up there are no reliable sources in dry season until after the second pass.

Km	GPS	Alt (m)	Info	Description
0	350	2270	Start	Caraz, Plaza de Armas. Take main road S, towards Huaraz.
5	351	2270	🡺	Go R, signed ‘Pueblo Libre’.
5.5		2260	Bridge	Cross new bridge (not yet completed at time of  writing – check it has been before leaving Caraz; if not, cross a bridge right by town).
7.5		2360		Tocash
10.5		2490		Pueblo Libre Nuevo (Pueblo Libre is slightly lower down, just off the road).
18		2940		Skirt Cotupampa. Collect water from the village as there
34		3900		Puya raimondii begin and continue, road-side, to Chicarhuapunta. Soon there are streams –   not reliable late in dry season.is none for the next section.
40		4290	🡹	Stick to the paving, when a dirt road goes L to Pisha.
40.5	360	4290	Pass	Chicarhuapunta (at Km110 marker). The Pacific comes into view! It’s possible to camp near the pass, out of view of the road.
42.5	361	4210	🡺	Leave paving by turning R onto a dirt road signed ‘Huata’.
46	362	4380	Pass	Pass with views of the peaks from Champará to Huascarán.
49.5		4160	Camp	Possible campsite with water, but ask  permission if there are local people around. Descend on a decent surface, past two  hamlets.
60		3370	🡹	Continue straight. R descends to a small  village.
61.5		3300		Racracallan.
71		2710		Huata.
80.5	349	2120	🡺	Turn R on main road, by Huaylas municipal dump.
89.5	350	2270	End	Caraz, Plaza de Armas.