Camino de los Arrieros Sierra de las Quijadas
Red canyon mule train route through fossil country
The old arrieros knew this route through Sierra de las Quijadas long before it became a national park—their mule trains carved these switchbacks through red sandstone walls that rise like fortress battlements from the scrubland. Following the Quebrada de las Aguadas, you’ll navigate tight canyon walls where flash floods have sculpted the rock into knife-edge ridges and natural amphitheaters. The trail passes through the Potrero de la Aguada fossil beds, where complete dinosaur skeletons weather out of 120-million-year-old sediments, and continues to the Mirador de la Aguada overlook with sweeping views across the Desaguadero River valley.
Moderate difficulty with some technical rocky sections requiring careful line choice and steady nerves on exposed canyon rim traverses. High-clearance 4WD essential for the creek crossings and loose scree slopes. April to October offers the best conditions—avoid summer heat that turns the canyons into furnaces. Fuel and supplies in San Luis city, 120 kilometers away. Camping permitted in designated areas only. This route delivers big desert scenery, paleontological treasures, and a genuine taste of Argentina’s gaucho heritage without the crowds of better-known parks.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Camping, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 42 mi / 67.6 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3400 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | San Luis, San Luis |
| Land manager | Parques Nacionales |
| Permit required | Yes |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | parquesnacionales.gob.ar |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or 4Runner handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD is the minimum — a factory Hilux, Patrol, or 4Runner with decent all-terrain tires will manage. A lift helps on the rougher canyon sections but isn't required if you pick your lines.
Is the trail passable in summer (November–March)?
Summer is the worst time to attempt this — heat in the San Luis badlands is brutal and flash flooding can make the canyon crossings genuinely dangerous. Stick to April through October; the trail is at its best May through September.
Do you need a permit to drive Camino de los Arrieros, and is there a fee?
Yes, this route passes through land managed by Parques Nacionales Argentina, so you'll need to register and pay the national park entry fee. Check current requirements directly at parquesnacionales.gob.ar before you go — fees and procedures change.
What's the hardest section, and what makes it technical?
The tightest canyon narrows mid-route are where most rigs have trouble — loose red sand over rock, off-camber shelf road sections, and at least two water crossings that can run deeper after rain. Nothing extreme, but one bad line in the narrows will put a rocker panel on stone.
How far is the nearest fuel stop, and is there reliable water on trail?
San Luis city is your last guaranteed fuel before the trailhead — fill up there, as there's nothing reliable along the 67km route. There are water crossings on trail but treat or filter anything you pull from them; don't count on them as a primary source without a filter system in the vehicle.
Trail track
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