Cordillera de Cochabamba Altiplano Mining Circuit
Tin rush ghosts at breathtaking altitude
This route climbs from Cochabamba’s valley floor through abandoned tin mines that once fed half of South America’s solder factories, winding up switchbacks carved by dynamite crews in the 1940s to reach Cerro Rico de Oruro’s satellite workings. The real test comes at Paso de las Almas, where the track narrows to a single vehicle width with thousand-foot drops and loose scree that’s claimed axles from careless drivers — but make it through and you’re rewarded with the ghostly ruins of Mina San Cristóbal, where the headframe still stands guard over shafts that drop into darkness.
Expert-level difficulty with mandatory low-range crawling over basketball-sized rocks, plus altitude that’ll leave you gasping if you’re not acclimatized. Serious 4WD with rock sliders and skid plates essential, plus full recovery kit and emergency oxygen. Dry season only (April-October) when roads aren’t washed out, and carry extra fuel because there’s nothing above Quillacollo. The payoff is standing where Bolivian miners carved fortunes from rock, with views across the altiplano that stretch to the Chilean border on clear days.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 78 mi / 125.5 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 14650 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with armor |
| Nearest town | Cochabamba, Bolivia |
| Land manager | SERNAP Bolivia |
| 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
Will a stock Land Cruiser or 4Runner handle this trail, or does my rig need serious mods?
A stock truck will get you hurt or stranded here. You need a modified 4WD with skid plates, rock sliders, a lift, and ideally a locker — the rocky sections above 14,000 feet are sharp and relentless. Run-flat capability or a second full-size spare is not optional on a 78-mile circuit this remote.
When does the trail become impassable and is April actually safe to start?
The rainy season runs roughly November through March and turns the high-altitude tracks into axle-deep mud traps and flash-flood zones. April is the earliest realistic entry point, but check conditions locally in Cochabamba before you leave — residual wet sections can linger into late April at elevation.
Do I need a permit and who do I get it from?
Yes, a permit is required through SERNAP Bolivia (Bolivia's national protected areas service). Sort it out in Cochabamba before you head out — there is zero cell service on the circuit and no way to sort paperwork once you're in the mountains.
What is the hardest section and what specifically makes it technical?
The upper rock-crawling sections approaching the 14,650-foot max elevation are the crux — loose fractured rock, off-camber ledges, and no recovery room on the exposed ridgeline. Altitude compounds everything: your engine loses significant power, your body makes bad decisions slower, and help is a very long way away.
How far is the nearest fuel and should I carry extra on a 78-mile circuit?
Fuel up fully in Cochabamba before departure — there are no petrol stations on the circuit. Carry a minimum 20-litre jerry can given altitude-related fuel consumption increases and the possibility of route extensions or getting stuck; the nearest town with reliable fuel is back in Cochabamba.
Trail track
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