Ruta de los Seismiles — Paso de San Francisco to Ojos del Salado Base Camp via the Atacama Volcano Corridor
Flanks of the world's highest volcano. No guardrails.
The Ruta de los Seismiles corridor along the Puna de Atacama puts you on the flanks of Ojos del Salado — at 6,893 metres, the highest volcano on Earth — via a brutal mix of high-desert track, salt flat crossings, and loose volcanic scree. The route climbs from Fiambalá in Catamarca province westward through Paso San Francisco (4,748 m) and continues along the Chilean border at elevations that hover between 4,500 and 5,000 metres for hours at a time. The Laguna Verde and Laguna Santa Rosa area on the Chilean side are stunning but wind-blasted — gusts regularly exceed 100 km/h by midday. This is genuine Atacama high desert: bone dry, brutally cold at night, and UV radiation at altitude that will destroy exposed skin in under an hour.
Expert-level driving minimum. You need a modified 4WD — ideally with a snorkel, long-range fuel tank (400+ km between reliable fuel), and a full recovery kit. Altitude sickness is a real threat; acclimatise in Fiambalá or San Pedro de Atacama for at least two days before attempting the high plateau. Chilean sections require coordination with CONAF and a permit to access the Ojos del Salado approach roads. Best season is November to March — even then expect overnight lows below -20°C. Carry oxygen. Satellite comms only. The payoff is a landscape that doesn’t look like Earth.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Mixed, Rock, Sand |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 300 km |
| Duration | 4-6 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 17060 ft |
| Best season | November-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified expedition 4WD with long-range fuel |
| Nearest town | Fiambalá, Catamarca, Argentina |
| Land manager | CONAF (Chile) / Argentina Secretaría de Ambiente |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | CONAF – Nevado Tres Cruces National Park |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
| Copy both for Google Maps directionsClick to copy the directions URL · or open it directly in a new tab | |
| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
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Frequently asked questions
What does 'modified expedition 4WD' actually mean for this route — will a lifted Tacoma with a rooftop tent cut it?
A lifted Tacoma can handle the terrain if it has a locking rear diff, all-terrain tires, and a skid plate setup. The bigger issue is fuel: you need a minimum 150-liter (40-gallon) total fuel capacity to cover the gap between Fiambalá and any resupply, and a stock tank will leave you stranded. A dual-battery system and onboard air for tire pressure management are non-negotiable at these altitudes.
What months is this route actually passable — does snow close the high sections?
November through March is the only realistic window. The corridor sits above 14,000 ft for extended stretches, and winter snowpack (April–October) makes the high passes impassable even for well-equipped rigs. Even in the best season, sudden storms can drop snow at any time — check conditions before you drop into the altiplano.
Do you need permits for both the Argentine and Chilean sides, and where do you get them?
Yes — both sides require separate paperwork. On the Chilean side, CONAF manages Nevado Tres Cruces National Park and requires entry registration. The Argentine side falls under Catamarca's Secretaría de Ambiente, and crossing the border at Paso de San Francisco requires a formal border crossing declaration for your vehicle. Sort both before you leave Fiambalá; there is no cell service to sort this in the field.
What's the hardest section of the route and what exactly makes it technical?
The approach to Ojos del Salado base camp above 15,000 ft is where it gets serious — loose volcanic scree, no defined track in sections, and grades that demand low-range with careful throttle control to avoid wheelspin on unstable surface. The altitude compounds everything: your engine loses significant power, your body moves slower, and decision-making degrades faster than you expect. One wrong line on the scree fields can high-center a rig with no recovery help within range.
Is there any reliable water source along the route, or do you need to carry everything from Fiambalá?
There are seasonal meltwater streams near the base of several volcanos, but flow is inconsistent and contamination from mineral runoff is a real concern at altitude — treat everything or don't drink it. Carry a minimum 20 liters per person as baseline; do not assume a stream marked on a map from last season will be there when you arrive.
Trail track
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