Ruta 40 Norte — Cafayate to Cachi via the Calchaquí Valley High Road
The real Ruta 40. Dirt, altitude, zero traffic.
Between Cafayate and Cachi in Argentina’s Salta Province, Ruta 40 drops all pretense of being a highway and becomes an honest-to-god dirt track threading through the Calchaquí River valley at 2,000 to 3,500 metres. The road passes through Angastaco, Molinos, and Seclantas — each a crumbling adobe village that looks lifted from the 17th century. The quebradas (canyon cuts) between Angastaco and Molinos are the highlight: sheer polychrome walls, river crossings depending on season, and stretches where the track simply disappears into the riverbed. Keep an eye on the clouds — flash floods are real and come fast off the Andes. The Cuesta del Obispo climb near the northern end is steep, loose, and spectacular.
A stock 4WD handles this in dry season, but ground clearance matters — the riverbed sections can run 30–50cm of water in summer. High-clearance 2WD has gotten people through in good conditions but left others stranded. Best season is April through October; November through March brings Andean summer rains that can wash out crossings entirely. Fuel up in Cafayate before departing — the villages may have basic supplies but carry at least 200km of reserve. No permits required. The reward is one of South America’s most dramatic landscapes with almost no tourist traffic once you leave Cafayate.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance, Overland Route |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Sand |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 99 mi / 160 km |
| Duration | 1-2 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 11400 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD recommended |
| Nearest town | Cafayate, Salta Province, Argentina |
| Land manager | Dirección Nacional de Vialidad (Argentina) / Vialidad Provincial Salta |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | Spotty |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | Dirección Nacional de Vialidad Argentina |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Hilux or Fortuner handle this route, or do I need a lifted rig?
A stock high-clearance 4WD like a Hilux, Land Cruiser 70, or Fortuner is the baseline — this is a moderate dirt and gravel route, not a rock crawl. You'll want 4WD for the sandy sections and river crossings, but a lifted setup isn't required. Low-profile crossovers and 2WD vehicles should stay home.
When is this section of Ruta 40 passable, and when does it become a problem?
April through October is the dry season window and the safest bet. November through March is summer wet season in the Andes — rain can flash-flood the quebradas and turn the river crossings from trivial to impassable fast. Don't run it in the wet season without current local intel.
Are there any permits, fees, or border-crossing complications on this route?
No permits or fees for driving this section of Ruta 40 — it's a public national road managed by Vialidad Nacional and Vialidad Salta. You're staying entirely within Argentina, so no border crossings apply. If you're driving a foreign-plated vehicle into Argentina, make sure your temporary vehicle import permit (RUT) is current before you leave Cafayate.
What's the hardest part of the drive and what should I actually be ready for?
The river crossings are the wildcard — there are multiple quebrada crossings where depth varies seasonally and after overnight rain. The altitude is the other factor; you're spending real time above 3,000m (10,000ft) and the air is thin if you or your engine aren't acclimatized. The dirt track itself is manageable, but the isolation is real — mechanical trouble between Cafayate and Cachi means you're waiting a long time for help.
How much fuel do I need to carry, and is there anywhere to fill up between Cafayate and Cachi?
There are no fuel stops on the high road between Cafayate and Cachi — 160km of nothing. Fill up completely in Cafayate before you leave, and carry a jerry can as a buffer, especially if you're running a thirsty V8. Cachi has a YPF station but supply can be inconsistent in small Argentine towns, so don't count on it as your safety net.
Trail track
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