Paso Pehuenche — Malargüe to Linares via the Andean High Crossing
The Andes without the crowd. Just the crossing.
Paso Pehuenche sits at roughly 2,553 metres on the Argentina-Chile border, connecting Malargüe in Mendoza Province with the Maule Region of Chile via the Río Grande valley. The Argentine side is a long, corrugated dirt road through the volcanic Payunia landscape — petrified lava fields, wind-blasted desert, and the occasional guanaco herd. The Chilean descent is steeper and rawer, dropping through the Río Maule canyon toward Linares with river crossings that can run fast during snowmelt and stretches of loose volcanic gravel that demand careful throttle work. This is not the tourist Andes — it’s the working Andes, used by stockmen and the occasional expedition crew.
The route rates Moderate to Difficult depending on snowmelt and seasonal rains. High-clearance 4WD is required on both sides; the Chilean descent is the more technical leg. The pass is typically open November through April — Andean winter closes it hard and fast. Fuel and supplies need to be sorted in Malargüe before you leave Argentina; the Chilean side is sparse until Linares. Argentine and Chilean border formalities apply, including vehicle and food import restrictions. The payoff is one of the continent’s most photogenic and uncrowded Andean crossings — vast, silent, and genuinely remote.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 186 mi / 300 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8376 ft |
| Best season | November-April |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | Malargüe, Mendoza, Argentina |
| Land manager | Dirección Nacional de Vialidad (Argentina) / MOP Chile |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| 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 lifted Tacoma or stock 4Runner handle Paso Pehuenche, or do I need a serious build?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Tacoma or 4Runner can make it, but aggressive river crossings and loose volcanic rock sections will punish low-clearance or 2WD vehicles without mercy. Skid plates, all-terrain tires, and a recovery kit are not optional on this one.
When does the pass actually close, and is snow a real concern?
Paso Pehuenche is only reliably open November through April — outside that window, snow and ice at 8,300+ feet can shut it down hard and fast with little warning. Even in shoulder months, check with Gendarmería Argentina at the Malargüe checkpoint before committing; they have current road status.
Do I need permits to cross the border here, and is there customs on both sides?
Yes — this is a full international border crossing, so you need your vehicle's documentation, passport, and a valid temporary vehicle import permit (TVIP) for Chile issued at the crossing. The crossing operates limited hours and is not open 24/7, so confirm current schedules with Aduana Chile and AFIP Argentina before you roll.
What's the hardest section of the route and what should I actually expect?
The Chilean descent from the pass toward the Maule River valley throws the worst at you — steep, loose switchbacks on broken rock with significant drop exposure and no guardrails. The river crossings on the Argentine side are the second gut-check: water depth varies dramatically by snowmelt and can exceed axle height in peak spring runoff.
How far is the nearest fuel, and can I count on resupply anywhere along the 186 miles?
Malargüe is your last guaranteed fuel stop on the Argentine side — fill to the cap before you leave. There is no resupply along the route itself, and Linares on the Chilean end is your first option after the crossing, roughly 300km later. Carry enough fuel for at least 400km with reserve given the altitude and low-gear driving that will hammer your range.
Trail track
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