Paso Abra del Acay — San Antonio de los Cobres to Cachi via South America’s Highest National Road
Highest national road in South America. Earn it.
Abra del Acay sits at 4,895 metres (16,060 ft) above sea level on Argentina’s Ruta Provincial 40 in Salta Province — the highest national road in South America and one of the most punishing high-altitude vehicle crossings on the continent. The route runs north from San Antonio de los Cobres through salt flats and vicuña-grazed puna grassland before the road turns brutal: loose volcanic scree, eroded switchbacks, and an altitude that will slow your engine and your brain simultaneously. The summit is typically snowbound May through August, and even in summer, afternoon storms roll in fast across the open plateau. The descent west toward Cachi drops through the Calchaquí Valley — green canyon country that feels like a different planet after the bare-rock summit.
High clearance is essential; most of the road is unpaved and heavily corrugated with rocky sections on the upper approach. A stock turbodiesel 4WD handles it but expect reduced power above 4,500 m — naturally aspirated engines really struggle. Carry extra fuel (San Antonio is your last reliable stop), warm gear regardless of season, and treat altitude sickness seriously. Best season is November–April. No permit required. Camping is open on the puna but infrastructure is zero — this is pure self-sufficiency country with stunning payoff: flamingo lagoons, Andean condors, and a summit panorama that earns every metre of the climb.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 87 mi / 140 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 16060 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD, turbodiesel preferred |
| Nearest town | San Antonio de los Cobres, Salta |
| Land manager | Dirección Provincial de Vialidad de Salta |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Salta Provincial Tourism |
| 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
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Patrol handle this route, or do I need serious mods?
A stock high-clearance 4WD will manage the terrain, but turbodiesel is strongly preferred — naturally aspirated engines lose significant power at 4,895 m and will struggle on the climbs. Skid plates and a spare fuel supply matter more than lift here.
When is Abra del Acay passable and what closes it?
November through April is the reliable window. Outside that, snow and ice at the pass make it genuinely dangerous or impassable. Even in season, sudden storms can drop snow at the summit with zero warning — check conditions the morning you leave San Antonio de los Cobres.
Do I need a permit or pay any fee to drive this route?
No permit or entry fee is required to drive Ruta Provincial 33 through Abra del Acay — it's a public national road managed by the Dirección Provincial de Vialidad de Salta. Carry your vehicle documentation and passports regardless, as there are occasional police checkpoints in the Puna.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it hard?
The ascent to the Abra itself is the crux — steep, loose gravel switchbacks at extreme altitude where your engine, your brakes, and your lungs are all working at reduced capacity simultaneously. The descent toward Cachi involves exposed shelf road with significant drop-offs and no guardrails; take it slow and don't let hot brakes make decisions for you.
There's zero cell service for 140 km — what's the fuel and water situation?
Fill your tank completely in San Antonio de los Cobres; there is no fuel between there and Cachi. Carry at least 20 liters of extra water — stream crossings exist along the route but water quality at altitude is unpredictable, and altitude itself accelerates dehydration faster than most people expect.
Trail track
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