Ruta Nacional 40 – Jujuy to Salta High Puna
High Puna crossing at the roof of Argentina
The stretch of Ruta 40 between Susques and San Antonio de los Cobres cuts across some of Argentina’s most desolate high-altitude terrain, where the road climbs above 13,000 feet through the Puna de Atacama. This section passes the massive Salinas Grandes salt flats and threads between volcanic peaks where vicuñas graze in terrain that hasn’t changed since the Inca walked these routes. The pavement gives way to gravel and washboard sections, especially around Abra del Acay at 13,780 feet—one of the highest driveable passes in the Americas.
This is moderate terrain that demands respect for altitude and weather. Any 4WD with good ground clearance handles the route, but carry extra fuel, water, and warm gear—temperatures can drop below freezing even in summer. May through September offers the most stable conditions, though afternoon storms can roll in fast. No permits needed, but cell service is nonexistent for long stretches. What you get is raw Andean wilderness, flamingo-filled high-altitude lakes, and the kind of emptiness that makes you understand why this country shaped the toughest gauchos on earth.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 299 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13780 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | 4WD high-clearance recommended |
| Nearest town | Susques, Jujuy |
| Land manager | Dirección Nacional de Vialidad |
| Permit required | No |
| 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 stock Hilux or 4Runner handle this stretch of Ruta 40 without modifications?
Yes — a stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle handles the majority of this route without issue. The surface mixes paved sections with ripio (gravel/washboard) and occasional soft sandy patches near the salt flats, so all-terrain tires are a real advantage over highway rubber, but lifts and lockers aren't required.
When is this section of Ruta 40 passable and what shuts it down?
May through September is the dry season and the reliable window — roads are stable and skies are clear. Summer months (December–March) bring the Bolivian winter, which dumps rain on the altiplano and can turn ripio sections into impassable mud and cause flash flooding through quebradas with zero warning.
Do you need any permits or pay fees to drive this route?
No permit is required to drive Ruta 40 through this corridor. Foreign-registered vehicles entering Argentina do need a vehicle importation document (Permiso de Importación Temporal) from Argentine Customs if you crossed an international border, so have that paperwork sorted before you hit the puna.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually expect?
The most demanding sections are the unpaved ripio stretches between Susques and San Antonio de los Cobres — sustained washboard at altitude that punishes loose bolts and fatigues drivers fast. The elevation is the real challenge: you're running 11,000–13,780 feet the entire time, so mechanical issues, altitude sickness, and slow repair work all happen in thin air with no one nearby.
How much fuel do I need to carry and where can I actually fill up along the way?
Carry a minimum 20-litre jerry can on top of a full tank before leaving Susques — fuel is available there and at San Antonio de los Cobres at the far end, but there is nothing reliable in between across 186 miles of high puna. Don't count on finding fuel in small villages along the route; some have it, most don't, and supplies run out.
Trail track
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