Campo de Piedra Pómez Volcanic Desert Traverse
Alien landscape of volcanic pumice and thermal springs.
Campo de Piedra Pómez stretches across 20 kilometers of pure volcanic pumice near El Peñón in Catamarca, where violent eruptions 600,000 years ago blanketed the high desert in white stone that looks like an alien planet. This remote traverse follows mining tracks between towering pumice formations carved by wind into bizarre sculptures, past turquoise thermal springs and smoking fumaroles that remind you this landscape is still geologically active. The route connects to the old Inca trail that runs toward Chile, passing the abandoned sulfur mine at Salar de Antofalla where workers once extracted minerals from the world’s fourth-largest salt flat.
Extreme conditions demand a modified 4WD with underbody protection and multiple spare tires — the sharp pumice shreds rubber faster than desert thorns. Altitude sickness hits hard at 3,800 meters, and weather can shift from blazing sun to hail storms in minutes. Carry extra fuel, water for three days, and emergency gear; the nearest help is 200 kilometers away in Antofagasta de la Sierra. Best attempted March through November when snow doesn’t block the high passes. What you get is some of the most alien terrain on Earth and bragging rights for crossing one of Argentina’s most challenging volcanic deserts.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock, Sand |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 62 mi / 99.8 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 12467 ft |
| Best season | March-November |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with protection plates |
| Nearest town | Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca |
| Land manager | Administración de Parques Nacionales |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Land Cruiser or Patrol handle this trail, or does it need modifications?
A stock Land Cruiser or Patrol is not enough here. You need skid plates, a lift, and ideally a snorkel — the volcanic rock and deep sand sections will destroy an unprotected undercarriage, and there are thermal spring crossings that can swallow a standard air intake.
Is the trail accessible year-round or does it close seasonally?
Best window is March through November. Andean winter storms (June–August) can make the high-altitude sections genuinely impassable with ice, drifting sand, and zero visibility — not just uncomfortable, actually dangerous at 12,000+ feet.
Do you need a permit to drive through and camp in the pumice field?
The area falls under Administración de Parques Nacionales jurisdiction — check in with the park office or local rangers in Antofagasta de la Sierra before heading out. Entry fees and registration requirements can change seasonally, so confirm current rules on arrival rather than assuming.
What's the hardest section of the traverse and what makes it technical?
The deep pumice sand fields mid-route are the crux — pumice behaves differently than normal sand, offering almost no traction and swallowing tires fast. Airing down aggressively helps, but even experienced drivers get stuck here. Add 12,000+ foot altitude reducing tire pressure management and engine performance, and recovery takes longer than you expect.
There's no cell service on this trail — how far is the nearest fuel and how should I plan for water?
Antofagasta de la Sierra is your last fuel stop, and this is a 99km traverse that can take 2–3 hard days — carry a significant fuel reserve, at minimum 50–70 extra liters depending on your rig's consumption in sand. Water from the thermal springs is not potable without treatment; bring all drinking water from town or carry a reliable filtration setup.
Trail track
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