Camino del Abismal – Chubut Fossil Valleys
Dinosaur hunting in Patagonian badlands
The Camino del Abismal drops into Chubut’s fossil-rich canyons where paleontologists discovered some of South America’s largest dinosaur specimens. This 85-kilometer track winds through red sandstone formations and petrified araucaria forests dating back 150 million years. The route requires navigating steep canyon descents and loose scree fields, particularly at the notorious Cañadón del Diablo, where the track drops 400 meters over switchbacks carved into crumbling cliff faces.
Expert-level technical skills essential – this isn’t a trail for rookies. Lockers, rock sliders, and 35-inch tires minimum. Many sections demand precise wheel placement on loose rock shelves above serious drops. Best tackled March-November when flash flood risk subsides. Water is scarce; carry 40 liters minimum. The reward: standing among 40-meter titanosaur trackways with zero human development in sight for hundreds of kilometers.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 53 mi / 85 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 3400 ft |
| Best season | March-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Sarmiento, Chubut |
| Land manager | Provincial Government Chubut |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or 4Runner run this trail, or do I actually need lockers?
The trail listing says modified 4WD with lockers is the minimum for a reason — loose shale, embedded rock ledges, and off-camber canyon sections will beach a stock rig. A lift, aggressive all-terrain tires, and at minimum a rear locker are not optional here.
What months should I avoid, and what kills trips most often?
December through February is the danger window — Patagonian summer heat combined with flash flood risk in the canyon systems makes it genuinely hazardous. Spring snowmelt (August–September) can also soften the badland clay into axle-deep mud with zero warning.
Do I need any permits to drive this route or access the fossil sites?
The Chubut Provincial Government manages this area and paleontological sites in Argentina are federally protected — touching, collecting, or disturbing fossils is illegal under national law. Check with the Secretaría de Turismo de Chubut in Sarmiento before you leave; entry permits or registration may be required depending on which canyon sectors you plan to enter.
What's the hardest section and what specifically makes it brutal?
The deep canyon descent into the central fossil valley systems is where rigs get hurt — steep rock ledges with no recovery room, loose shale that shifts under braking, and off-camber exit lines that demand precise line selection and active diff locks. Plan on taking this section slow and having your recovery kit staged and ready, not buried under gear.
Where do I fuel up, and is 53 miles of trail actually the full fuel burn I need to plan for?
Sarmiento is your last reliable fuel stop before the trail — fill completely there. The 53-mile trail distance doesn't account for the driving to reach the trailhead or your exit route, and technical terrain in low range will gut your fuel economy fast, so budget for at least double your normal consumption and carry jerry cans.
Trail track
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