Camino de los Molinos Catamarca
Gold mining ghost road to the Chilean border
This forgotten mining road climbs from Fiambalá toward the Chilean border through landscape that looks more like Mars than Earth. The Camino de los Molinos follows an old gold prospectors’ route past rusted mining equipment and stone foundations of 19th-century mills, gaining 6,000 feet in elevation over volcanic scree and salt flats. Past Km 40, the track becomes increasingly technical with loose rock sections, stream crossings fed by thermal springs, and switchbacks carved into cliff faces where one mistake means a long tumble into the abyss.
Expert-level difficulty demands modified 4WD with rock sliders, winch, and spare everything. Altitude sickness hits hard above 11,000 feet. No fuel, water, or cell service for 80+ miles — carry enough for the round trip plus emergencies. May through September only; winter brings snow that can strand vehicles for months. The reward is vicuña herds, Inca archaeological sites, and views across three countries from the Continental Divide. This is serious high-altitude desert exploration where self-sufficiency isn’t optional.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 56 mi / 90.1 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13100 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Fiambalá, Catamarca |
| Land manager | Catamarca Province |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or 4Runner run this trail, or do I need a built rig?
A stock vehicle will not survive this. You need high clearance, skid plates, rock sliders, and a lift at minimum — and a locker or two is not optional on the technical rock sections. Underbody armor is non-negotiable on 90km of sharp Andean rock.
When is Camino de los Molinos actually passable?
May through September is the dry season window. Outside of that, flash floods and snowpack at 13,000 feet can close the route completely — sometimes without warning. Do not attempt this in the Andean wet season (November–March).
Do I need any permits or border permissions to run this trail?
The route approaches the Chilean border, so carry your passport and vehicle documentation regardless of whether you plan to cross. Check with Argentine Gendarmería Nacional in Fiambalá before departure — border zone access rules in Catamarca Province can require prior notification or a paso authorization.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The upper Puna sections above 11,000 feet are the crux — loose fractured rock, off-camber ledges, and no recovery room on the edge drops. Add altitude sickness risk for both driver and engine performance, and a mechanical failure up there means a very long wait for anyone to find you.
Where do I fuel up, and how much range do I need leaving Fiambalá?
Fiambalá is your last fuel stop — full stop. There is nothing on this route for 90km to the end, plus whatever return or onward distance you're covering. Carry enough fuel for 300–400km of low-gear, high-RPM mountain driving to be safe, and bring a jerry can regardless of your tank size.
Trail track
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