In the year 1622, monsignor Cortázar, the highest ecclesiastical authority in Salta, took a trip going from the current Salta capital to the Cachí village. The night surprised him in the middle of the road, and the prelate had no choice but to get off the platform carrying him, and spend the night under the open sky.

Since that date, the locals had no better idea than calling the area the "Cuesta de la dormida del Obispo" (The Slope where the Bishop Slept), a denomination that was later shortened to "Cuesta del Obispo" (Bishop's Slope), which is the prevailing name nowadays.

Originally, the Valle de Calchaquí Valley was much more populated than the Valle de Lerma Valley. Firstly the natives, who settled in the fertile land alongside the Calchaquí River; occupied it, then they were vanquished by the Incas, and the Incas themselves were later subdued by the Spanish conquistadors.

This slope was witness to the rooting out of the Chicoanas living in the Valle Calchaquí valley, who were moved to the current Chicoana locality, in the Valle de Lerma valley.

Today, the 20 kilometre long slope is a wide permanently maintained dirt road. Its future paving is uncertain, due to a notorious yellowish geological fault running through it.

It has a bifurcation: the road to the right leads to La Zanja, an excellent bean zone; and the one to the left descents towards the Valle Encantado Valley.

The slope ends at 3340 metres above sea level in La Piedra del Molino (the Millstone), an authentic milling granite rock, that nobody knows who left there, nor why.

Travellers should bear in mind some precautions, like carrying a coat to keep warm. It usually snows during the southern hemisphere's winter, and rains during the summer. Sometimes it is foggy as well. Thus the solidarity of those travelling through it, always ready to help before any emergency situation, needs to be outstanding.

Location: It connects the Valle de Lerma valley with the Alto Valle Calchaquí Valley (in Salta)
Route: The Ruta Provincial Nº 33 Provincial Route.
Maximum Altitude: 3348 metres at the Piedra del Molino (Bishop's Slope, towards Cachí)
Remarks: Do not miss the Cabra Corral dam. In case of going to Cachí Adentro, the Ruinas de las Pailas Ruins and La Paya, take a picture of the Cachí snow-capped mountain (6720 metres) during the morning hours, and of the Quebrada de Cafayete Gorge during the afternoon.

THE VALLE ENCANTADO ENCHANTED VALLEY
Standing at one side of the Bishop's Slope's winding road, the Valle Encantado Valley surprises travellers. There is a lake in here, sitting over high altitude meadows and reddish rock formations; a land cradled by the clouds nearby the Piedra del Molino (3348 metres), the highest point of the road to Cachí.

The valley's charm is glimpsed from the foot of the Bishop's Slope, when observing the Torreón de la Cuesta (Slope's Turret), a sort of guardian of the place standing 3280 metres high. When reaching this mountain's summit, the panoramic view of the valley below is astonishing.

Going through the road running within the Valle Encantado Valley, travellers can watch condors drinking from natural water troughs (some enormous rocks with cracks and fissures storing rainwater). When lying besides the rocks, travellers will be amazed by the majestic glide of the Andean King, a few meters above their heads.

Distances
From the Slope: 20 Km
From the City of Salta: 83 Km