Quebrada del Diablo Jujuy Mining Circuit
Technical canyon descent to forgotten gold mines
Quebrada del Diablo drops through a dramatic slot canyon carved by centuries of flash floods, connecting the altiplano with hidden mining camps from the 1920s gold rush. The route begins innocuously near Abra Pampa but quickly becomes a white-knuckle descent over loose shale shelves with 200-meter drop-offs. Multiple river crossings and a notorious rock garden at Km 15 have claimed axles and oil pans from overconfident drivers attempting this technical masterpiece.
Difficult rating earned through sustained technical terrain and real consequences for mistakes. Requires experienced driver, full rock sliders, and recovery gear. Wet season makes river crossings dangerous or impossible. Best tackled April through September when water levels drop. No cell service and nearest help is 80 kilometers away in Abra Pampa. Those who complete it access some of northern Argentina’s most spectacular and isolated canyon country.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Difficult |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 31 mi / 50 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11811 ft |
| Best season | April-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with sliders |
| Nearest town | Abra Pampa, Jujuy |
| Land manager | Private Mining Concessions |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.