Ruta Nacional 150 Paso de San Buenaventura
High Andes mining route to Chilean border
The Paso de San Buenaventura cuts through the heart of the Andes at 4,080 meters, following an old mining track that connected Argentina’s silver districts with Chilean ports. The route climbs from Fiambalá through the Puna de Atacama, passing abandoned copper workings at Mina La Coipa and crossing the international border through landscapes that look more like Mars than Earth. Vicuñas graze in the sparse puna grass while flamingos gather at high-altitude salt lakes.
This is a legitimate high-altitude challenge requiring acclimatization and mechanical preparation. Your 4×4 needs to handle thin air, temperature swings from 30°C days to -10°C nights, and washboarded volcanic sand. Carry extra fuel (no services for 300km), water, and warm gear. Best attempted April through October when weather windows allow safe crossing. The reward is pure solitude in one of South America’s most remote border regions, with panoramic views of 6,000-meter peaks stretching to both horizons.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13385 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD with recovery gear |
| Nearest town | Fiambalá, La Rioja |
| Land manager | Gendarmería Nacional Argentina |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted Tacoma or stock 4Runner handle RN150 to Paso San Buenaventura?
A stock 4Runner with AT tires can physically make the drive in dry conditions, but this route is rated Expert — deep washboard, loose gravel, and high-altitude grades above 13,000 ft will punish under-prepared rigs. A lifted truck with a full recovery kit, dual spares, and long-range fuel is the minimum you should show up with.
When is RN150 actually passable — does it close in winter?
Best window is April through October. Outside that, snowfall above 11,000 ft can close the pass completely, and the Argentine side gets cut off with zero warning. Check conditions through Gendarmería in Fiambalá before you leave — they have current road status.
Do you need a permit or border crossing paperwork to drive to Paso San Buenaventura?
Yes — Gendarmería Nacional Argentina controls this corridor and you must check in at their post in Fiambalá before heading up. If your vehicle is registered to someone else, you'll need a notarized authorization letter. Crossing into Chile adds customs and SAG agricultural inspection requirements on the Chilean side.
What's the hardest section of this route and what makes it technical?
The final push to the pass above 4,000 meters is the crux — sustained steep grades on loose gravel, zero guardrails, and altitude that will cook an overheating engine fast. Thin air kills power and cooling simultaneously, so if your rig runs hot at sea level, it will struggle badly here.
How far is the fuel range between fill-ups, and is there water on route?
Fiambalá is your last guaranteed fuel stop — the full route to the Chilean border and beyond is roughly 300 km with nothing in between, so a minimum 50-liter reserve on top of your main tank is not optional. Water sources exist at a few mining settlements along the way but are unreliable; carry at least 10 liters per person and treat anything you pull from the ground.
Trail track
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