Cordillera del Viento Paso del Viento High Route
High-altitude volcanic ridge traverse through remote Neuquén.
The Cordillera del Viento cuts a jagged spine through northern Neuquén, and this route follows ancient arriero paths across Paso del Viento at 4,050 meters. You’ll cross the Río Nahueve multiple times—count on at least six fords where snowmelt turns placid streams into churning torrents by afternoon. The volcanic scree above Laguna Varvarco Campos tests traction control as you climb toward the pass, with views stretching from Volcán Domuyo to the Chilean peaks.
This is expert-level terrain requiring serious preparation—lifted 4WD with diff locks, recovery gear, and cold-weather camping kit. Summer only (December-March) when snow clears the high passes. No cell service beyond Las Ovejas, no fuel for 300km, and weather changes fast at altitude. But nail this route and you’ve tackled one of Argentina’s most challenging high-country traverses through landscapes that haven’t changed since the Mapuche drove cattle through these same passes.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 89 mi / 143.2 km |
| Duration | 3-4 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13287 ft |
| Best season | December-March |
| Minimum vehicle | Lifted 4WD with lockers |
| Nearest town | Las Ovejas, Neuquén |
| Land manager | Administración de Parques Nacionales |
| 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 lifted 4x4 without lockers handle this trail?
No. Lockers — front and rear — are considered minimum here, not optional. Loose volcanic rock, off-camber ridge sections, and blind approach angles on the crossings will punish open differentials. A built rig with good articulation and a recovery kit is the baseline.
When is the trail actually passable, and what closes it?
December through March is the only realistic window. Snow blocks the high passes outside that range, and the río crossings run dangerously high during snowmelt in early spring. Even in summer, a single storm at altitude can strand you for days — check local weather in Las Ovejas before you leave.
Do you need a permit to run this route, and is there a fee?
The route falls under Administración de Parques Nacionales jurisdiction, so entry registration is required — confirm current permit requirements at the APN office or delegación in Neuquén before departure, as access rules in this zone do change. There is typically a national park entry fee for foreign visitors.
What's the hardest section and what makes it technical?
The high-altitude river crossings combined with the loose volcanic rock approach lines on the ridge are the crux — water depth and current vary day to day based on glacial melt, and there's no bypass if a crossing is running too high. At 13,000+ feet, vehicle power drops significantly, and driver fatigue from altitude is a real factor on the technical sections.
How far is the nearest fuel stop, and can you resupply water on the route?
Las Ovejas is your last reliable fuel point — fill completely before you leave, as 89 miles of technical terrain at altitude burns more than highway math suggests; bring a jerry can. Water is available from glacial streams throughout the route but treat everything — livestock graze the lower sections.
Trail track
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