Cordillera Domeyko Mining Heritage Circuit

This circuit follows the historic copper mining roads through the Cordillera Domeyko, connecting active mining operations with abandoned camps dating back to the early 1900s. The route passes through Mina El Salvador, one of Chile’s largest open-pit copper mines, before threading north through the Sierra Exploradora where ghost camps sit frozen in desert time. The technical highlight is the descent into Quebrada del Diablo, a narrow canyon where century-old mining equipment rusts beside modern extraction roads.

Moderate difficulty with some technical rocky sections requiring high-clearance 4WD and skid plates recommended. Summer heat can be brutal—carry double water reserves and travel early morning or late afternoon. No permits required for main roads, but respect active mining zones. Fuel available in Calama and Antofagasta only. Limited camping at designated spots near abandoned camps. This route offers a raw look at Chile’s mining backbone, where the desert reveals both industrial heritage and stunning geological formations carved by copper extraction.