Paso Roballos Mining Circuit

The ghost of copper mining haunts every kilometer of this high-altitude traverse near the Argentine border. Paso Roballos sits at 4,200 meters, where abandoned mining camps and rusted machinery tell the story of Chile’s northern mineral wealth. The route follows old mining roads through the Cordillera de los Andes, crossing multiple creek beds and navigating around massive tailings piles left by decades of copper extraction.

This is serious high-altitude 4WD territory requiring modified vehicles with low-range transfer cases and experienced drivers. Altitude sickness hits hard above 3,500 meters, and weather changes fast in these peaks. April through October offers the most stable conditions, though snow can close the pass year-round. Fuel up in San Pedro de Atacama—there’s nothing for 200 kilometers. The payoff is standing where miners once pulled fortunes from the earth, with views across both Chile and Argentina.