Paso Internacional Los Libertadores Mining Circuit
High-altitude mining circuit near Argentine border
The old copper mining roads branching off the Los Libertadores Pass cut through some of the most desolate terrain in the Central Andes, where rusted machinery and tailings piles mark decades of extraction above 3,000 meters. This circuit follows a network of mining access roads that spider out from the main international highway toward Argentina, passing the abandoned Mina La Disputada workings and climbing to viewpoints overlooking the Aconcagua Valley. The route demands careful navigation through loose scree and washouts left by flash floods that sweep down from the glaciated peaks.
Moderate to difficult depending on conditions, requiring high-clearance 4WD with good tires for the rocky sections and steep grades. Winter closures are common from June to September due to snow, making late spring through early fall the prime window. Fuel up in Los Andes before heading up—there’s nothing past the border checkpoint. The payoff is raw Andean wilderness, geological drama, and the satisfaction of threading technical terrain where few venture beyond the main highway.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10400 ft |
| Best season | October-May |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Los Andes, Valparaíso |
| Land manager | CONAF |
| 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 handle this trail, or does it need a lift?
A stock high-clearance 4WD with low-range is the minimum — no lift required, but it helps. The rock surface and sustained elevation gain to 10,400 ft demand good ground clearance and a mechanically sound vehicle; worn tires or an overheating engine at altitude will end your day fast.
When does snow close the mining circuit, and is June-September passable?
The best window is October through May — Andean winters dump heavy snow above 9,000 ft and the route becomes impassable without dedicated winter gear. June through September is a hard no for most setups; even locals avoid it.
Do you need a permit from CONAF or any border authority to run this circuit?
No formal trail permit is required from CONAF to access the circuit, but you're operating near the Argentine border zone — carry your passport or national ID and be aware that Chilean border police (Carabineros) can stop and check vehicles in this corridor. No fee to enter.
What's the hardest section and what actually makes it technical?
The upper rocky switchbacks approaching the mining ruins are the crux — loose angular rock, off-camber shelf road, and no room for error at elevation. It's not extreme by hardcore 4x4 standards, but the combination of altitude sapping engine power and sustained rock crawl will punish an unprepared rig or an inattentive driver.
Is there water on trail, and how far is the nearest gas from the trailhead?
There are water crossings on the route but treat or filter anything you take from them — mining history in this area means you don't want to gamble on runoff quality. Fuel up fully in Los Andes before heading out; there's nothing between town and this circuit, and 28 miles of rocky high-altitude driving burns more than you'd expect.
Trail track
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