Quebrada del Diablo Jujuy Mining Circuit
Technical canyon descent to forgotten gold mines
Quebrada del Diablo drops through a dramatic slot canyon carved by centuries of flash floods, connecting the altiplano with hidden mining camps from the 1920s gold rush. The route begins innocuously near Abra Pampa but quickly becomes a white-knuckle descent over loose shale shelves with 200-meter drop-offs. Multiple river crossings and a notorious rock garden at Km 15 have claimed axles and oil pans from overconfident drivers attempting this technical masterpiece.
Difficult rating earned through sustained technical terrain and real consequences for mistakes. Requires experienced driver, full rock sliders, and recovery gear. Wet season makes river crossings dangerous or impossible. Best tackled April through September when water levels drop. No cell service and nearest help is 80 kilometers away in Abra Pampa. Those who complete it access some of northern Argentina’s most spectacular and isolated canyon country.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 31 mi / 50 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11811 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with sliders |
| Nearest town | Abra Pampa, Jujuy |
| Land manager | Private Mining Concessions |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Land Cruiser run this trail, or does it need to be built?
Stock is not enough here. The Class 4 rock sections and narrow canyon walls make sliders mandatory, and you'll want a lift with good articulation. A built Hilux or 80-series is the local standard for this kind of terrain in Jujuy.
When does this trail become impassable, and is it ever closed by snow?
Stick to April through September. Summer (December–March) brings heavy rains that flood the canyon crossings and turn the descents into loose mud slides. Snow at the 11,800-ft start is possible outside the dry season and can seal the route.
Do you need a permit to run this trail, and who controls access?
The route crosses private mining concessions, so technically you need landowner permission. In practice, enforcement is minimal this far out, but ask in Abra Pampa before you go — locals know who to contact and whether anyone is actively working the claims.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it dangerous?
The canyon descent has a sustained Class 4 rock section where the walls close in tight enough to scrape both sides simultaneously. The real danger is commitment — once you're down in the narrows, there's no room to turn around, and a breakdown means a long, technical recovery with no cell service and likely no other traffic.
Is there reliable water along the trail, and how far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead?
The river crossings mean water is present on trail, but treat everything — mining areas mean potential contamination upstream. Fuel up fully in Abra Pampa before heading out; it's your last certain stop, and this 31-mile run plus recovery time can drain a tank faster than the distance suggests.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.