Ruta Provincial 43 El Cóndor Pass
Mining road to the sky at 4,200m elevation
The washboard gravel of Ruta Provincial 43 climbs relentlessly from Iglesia through the barren peaks of San Juan’s Cordillera Frontal, passing abandoned copper mines and stone corrals built by arrieros decades ago. The route crests at El Cóndor Pass (4,200m), where the road becomes a rocky shelf carved into near-vertical talus slopes — one wheel slip here and you’re tumbling into Chile. Rusted mining machinery from the 1960s sits frozen in time at Mina La Inesperada, 15km before the pass.
This is expert-level terrain requiring modified 4WDs with diff locks, recovery gear, and serious high-altitude experience. The thin air at altitude will choke naturally-aspirated engines, and afternoon thunderstorms turn the exposed ridgeline deadly. Best tackled May through October when snow clears, but always check with Gendarmería in Iglesia — they’ll shut it down without notice. You’ll earn bragging rights and photos that’ll make your mates back home question your sanity.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 75.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13780 ft |
| Best season | May-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with diff locks |
| Nearest town | Iglesia, San Juan |
| Land manager | Dirección Provincial de Vialidad San Juan |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 Land Cruiser run this trail, or do I actually need lockers?
Stock is not enough here. The rocky surface at altitude combined with loose switchbacks demands real traction control or mechanical diff locks — a lifted, locker-equipped rig is the minimum. A factory A-TRAC setup on a modern Land Cruiser might get you through in dry conditions, but don't push it solo.
What months is the El Cóndor Pass actually passable, and what closes it?
May through October is the window. Outside that range, winter snowfall at 4,200m makes the upper sections impassable and genuinely dangerous. Even within the season, check locally in Iglesia before departing — a single storm can shut the high sections fast.
Do I need any permits or permission to drive Ruta Provincial 43 through the pass?
No paid permit is required, but you must register your route with the Policía or Gendarmería in Iglesia before heading out — this is standard procedure for remote Cordillera roads in San Juan province and not optional in practice. Failure to do so leaves no safety net if you go missing.
What's the hardest section, and what does it actually look like?
The approach to the 4,200m summit is the crux — sustained rocky switchbacks with exposure, no guardrails, and loose aggregate that shifts under the tires. Altitude compounds everything: engines lose power, brakes heat faster on descent, and your own decision-making degrades if you're not acclimatized. Budget extra time and don't rush the summit section.
How far is it to the nearest gas from the trailhead, and is there any water on the route?
Fuel up completely in Iglesia before you leave — there is nothing on the 75km route. There are seasonal streams near the abandoned mining workings mid-route, but treat all water; high-altitude mining areas carry contamination risk. Carry a minimum 20 liters of drinking water and don't count on the streams being there or safe.
Trail track
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