Sierra de Comechingones Merlo to San Luis Mining Circuit

The Comechingones range hides Argentina’s forgotten tungsten boom in weathered granite peaks between Merlo and San Luis city. This demanding route follows mining tracks established in the 1940s when these mountains supplied strategic materials for the war effort. The trail climbs through Quebrada de los Cóndores past abandoned processing plants and worker settlements, then drops through technical granite boulder fields where Wehrmacht engineers once surveyed mineral deposits. Cerro Sololasta at 2,260 meters offers the most challenging ascent with loose rock and exposure.

Difficult to expert difficulty requiring serious 4WD with rock sliders, skid plates, and low-range gearing. Articulation is critical for the granite gardens above Villa de Merlo. Best attempted April through September when water levels are manageable and temperatures moderate. No permits needed but inform local police of your route plans. Fuel in Merlo or San Luis – nothing reliable in between. Multiple river crossings can become impassable during summer rains. This is pure technical driving through stunning geology with genuine historical significance – where Argentina’s wartime industrial efforts left their mark in stone.