Quebrada de las Flechas Extended Mining Circuit
Arrow rocks and antimony mines in Argentina's puna
Beyond the postcard viewpoints of Quebrada de las Flechas lies a network of mining roads that penetrate deep into Salta’s high country. The route starts at the famous arrow-shaped rock formations tourists photograph from RN40, then climbs through increasingly remote canyons where Diaguita petroglyphs mark ancient hunting camps. Past Angastaco village, the track becomes a true mining road following German engineers’ routes to abandoned antimony workings at 4,200 meters elevation.
Stock vehicles can handle the initial scenic sections, but the mining circuit demands serious 4WD capability and mountain driving experience. Carry emergency supplies including extra fuel, water, and warm clothing — weather changes fast above 3,500 meters. Best attempted April through October when snow doesn’t block the high passes. The payoff is having this incredible landscape to yourself, plus access to some of the most intact pre-Columbian rock art sites in northwest Argentina.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 95 mi / 152.9 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13780 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Stock 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Angastaco, Salta |
| Land manager | Provincial government and private |
| 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.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock 4WD high-clearance rig handle this route, or do I need a lift?
A stock 4WD high-clearance vehicle can complete the circuit, but the mining tracks above 13,000 ft have loose rock and shelf road sections where extra clearance gives you real margin. A lifted rig is better; a bone-stock SUV with a cautious driver can still get through.
When does snow or weather close this route?
November through March is the Andean summer wet season — afternoon thunderstorms turn the puna tracks to mud and flash flooding is a real risk in the quebrada. Stick to April through October; July and August are cold but typically dry and stable.
Do I need any permits to drive the mining areas beyond Quebrada de las Flechas?
No formal permit is required for vehicle travel on the route, but some sections cross private mining concessions — stop and ask if you encounter a gate or occupied camp. The provincial government manages the broader area and there are no entry fees as of current information.
What's the hardest section and what makes it genuinely technical?
The upper mining circuit tracks above 4,000m (13,100 ft) are the crux — loose scree, narrow shelf roads with exposure, and no recovery room if you slide. Altitude compounds everything: your engine loses power and your body tires faster, so take the exposed sections slow and don't rush decisions at elevation.
Is there any water available on route, and where should I top up before heading out?
There are seasonal water crossings on route but none are reliable for drinking without treatment, and the remote puna section has almost nothing. Fill every container you have in Angastaco before departure — it's the last real resupply point, and this is a 2-3 day route with zero cell service and no bailout options mid-circuit.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.