Paso Agua Negra — Vicuña to Rivadavia via the Dry Andes High Desert Crossing
4,765 metres of Andean silence between two countries.
Paso Agua Negra sits at 4,765 metres on the Chile-Argentina border, and the road to get there from Vicuña in the Elqui Valley climbs through some of the most arid, colour-saturated mountain terrain on earth — terracotta cliffs, Atacama vegetation gone sparse, and then nothing but altitude, wind, and sky. The Chilean side is sealed partway but deteriorates to loose gravel and exposed switchbacks approaching the summit. The Argentine side down into Rodeo and eventually Rivadavia is rougher, with sections of rutted dirt and occasional washouts after snowmelt. The border post is seasonal and the crossing is not always open — check DIFROL before you commit.
This is a Difficult high-altitude crossing. A standard 4WD with good ground clearance will manage it, but altitude sickness is a real concern for drivers and passengers not acclimatized to 4,500+ metres. Fuel from Vicuña on the Chilean side and Rodeo on the Argentine side — there is nothing in between. Water: carry all of it. The crossing is typically open November through April, weather and border status depending. No major permit required for private vehicles, but you need all standard border paperwork (TVIP for the vehicle if crossing into Argentina). Don’t rush the descent — the San Juan plateau at dusk is one of the great overland views on the continent.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route, Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 112 mi / 180.2 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15633 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Vicuña, Coquimbo Region, Chile |
| Land manager | DIFROL Chile / Dirección Nacional de Fronteras y Límites del Estado |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | DIFROL Paso Agua Negra status |
| Verified | |
| 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 Tacoma or 4Runner handle Paso Agua Negra, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD can complete this route, but airing down is essential on the loose gravel and corrugated sections near the summit. A lift helps on the rougher Argentine side descent toward Rivadavia, but it's not a hard requirement — ground clearance matters more than suspension travel here.
When is Paso Agua Negra actually open and what closes it?
The pass is reliably open November through April. Outside that window, snow and ice close the road entirely — sometimes with no warning. DIFROL publishes real-time status at difrol.gob.cl, and you should check it the morning you depart, not just the night before.
Do I need permits to cross, and what does the border process look like?
No separate overland permit is required, but you must clear Chilean customs (SAG/PDI) on the Vicuña side and Argentine customs (Gendarmería) on the Rivadavia side — both at the border posts on the route. Carry your vehicle title, passport, and any required SAG declarations for food; agricultural items are strictly controlled crossing into Chile especially.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The climb to 4,765 metres on the Chilean side is relentless loose gravel with exposure and no guardrails — altitude sickness is a real risk, not just a footnote. The Argentine descent is longer, rougher, and more remote; washboard and rocky ledges demand slow, deliberate driving for roughly 60–70 km before conditions improve near Rivadavia.
Is there any fuel or water between the two towns, and where can I camp?
There is zero fuel on the crossing — fill completely in Vicuña before departure and plan for the full 180 km dry; the nearest Argentine fuel is in Rodeo or Rivadavia. Water crossings exist but treat anything you take from them; dispersed camping is possible on the Argentine altiplano sections, though winds above 4,000 metres are brutal and temperatures drop hard after dark even in summer.
Trail track
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