Ruta Nacional 40 Paso del Portillo de Piuquenes
Ancient Inca pass through the high Andes.
The Paso del Portillo de Piuquenes cuts through the high Andes at 4,080 meters, following ancient Inca trade routes and 19th-century mule trains that hauled silver from Potosí. This remote crossing point sits between Argentina’s Catamarca Province and Chile’s Atacama Desert, where glacial runoff carves through volcanic scree and the air gets thin enough to make your engine struggle. The route branches off Ruta Nacional 40 near Fiambalá, climbing through switchbacks carved into loose volcanic rock before reaching the windswept pass marked by a simple cairn and scattered mining equipment.
This is serious high-altitude driving requiring a well-tuned 4WD with good brakes and spare parts. Weather changes fast above 3,500 meters — summer storms can dump hail and snow even in December. Fuel up in Fiambalá and carry extra water; the nearest services are 150 kilometers away. Best tackled April through October when the pass isn’t buried in snow. What you get is raw Andean wilderness, views across the Puna plateau, and the satisfaction of crossing one of South America’s most remote international borders the way muleteers did 200 years ago.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Overland Route |
| Surface | Gravel, Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote |
| Length (miles) | 47 mi / 75.6 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 13386 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Fiambalá, Catamarca |
| Land manager | Vialidad Nacional Argentina |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| 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
What's the minimum build to attempt Paso del Portillo de Piuquenes — will a lightly modified 4Runner make it?
A lightly modified 4Runner is borderline. You need genuine high-clearance, a proven 4WD low-range setup, and ideally a snorkel or at minimum a high air intake — dust and potential water crossings at altitude will punish stock air boxes. Skid plates are not optional here. A purpose-built overlander or expedition-spec vehicle is the right call.
What months is this pass actually passable, and what closes it?
April through October is the safe window. Andean winter (November–March) brings heavy snow and ice above 4,000m that makes the pass impassable and genuinely dangerous. Even in the dry season, surprise storms can drop snow fast — check local weather out of Fiambalá before you leave.
Do I need permits to drive this route, and is there a border crossing formality since it connects to Chile?
The Argentine side is managed by Vialidad Nacional and doesn't require a trail permit, but this is a historic international pass — if you're crossing into Chile, you need proper customs and migration documentation for both countries, and your vehicle needs a Chilean temporary import permit (TVIP). Do not attempt a Chile crossing without paperwork sorted in advance.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually be prepared for?
The upper approach to the pass above 3,800m is the crux — loose rock, exposed switchbacks, and no room for error on the edge. Altitude compounds everything: your engine loses power, your body moves slower, and judgment gets foggy if you're not acclimatized. Spend at least one night in Fiambalá or higher before attempting the summit.
How far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead, and is dispersed camping safe at this altitude?
Fiambalá is your last reliable fuel stop — fill completely before heading out, as there's nothing on the 47-mile route. Dispersed camping is possible along the route, but nights above 4,000m drop hard below freezing even in summer, so a four-season sleep system is not optional. There is zero cell service the entire length of the trail — a satellite communicator is essential, not a nice-to-have.
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.