Ruta Nacional 51 Abra del Acay to San Antonio de los Cobres
Argentina's highest paved pass descent
The stretch from Abra del Acay down to San Antonio de los Cobres drops you from the highest paved pass in the Americas into a landscape that looks like Mars had a baby with the moon. This section of RN51 winds through the heart of the Puna plateau, where vicuña dart between ancient mining camps and the Train to the Clouds tracks parallel your descent. The Quebrada del Toro cuts a dramatic gash through the mountains as you approach San Antonio, with the old railroad infrastructure telling stories of ambitious engineering in impossible terrain.
Moderate difficulty thanks to altitude rather than technical challenges—the road is paved but narrow with steep grades and zero guardrails in places. Any vehicle can handle it, but altitude sickness hits hard above 4,000 meters, so acclimatize first. Best tackled April through October when weather’s stable. Fuel up in Salta or Cafayate; San Antonio has limited services. This route delivers massive landscapes and mining history without requiring a full expedition vehicle.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Scenic Drive |
| Surface | Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 16062 ft |
| Best season | April-October |
| Minimum vehicle | Any vehicle |
| Nearest town | San Antonio de los Cobres, Salta |
| Land manager | Administración Nacional de Vialidad |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a 4x4 or high clearance to drive RN-51 over Abra del Acay?
No. The pass is paved and the descent to San Antonio de los Cobres is graded gravel — any standard vehicle can handle it in good conditions. That said, the road can be rough after rain, so low clearance vehicles should watch for washouts and loose surface breaks.
When is Abra del Acay passable and what closes it?
April through October is the reliable window. Summer rains (November–March) can wash out sections and the pass regularly closes due to snow, ice, or flooding with little warning. Check with locals in Salta city before committing — there's no real-time road status system up here.
Are there permits or fees to drive RN-51 over the pass?
No permits, no fees, no checkpoints specific to the pass itself. You may pass through routine provincial police or gendarmería document checks on RN-51 — carry your passport and vehicle paperwork, especially if driving a foreign-plated vehicle.
What's the hardest part of this route and what should I actually expect?
The altitude is the real challenge, not the road. At 16,062 ft (4,895 m) the air is thin, engines lose significant power, and altitude sickness hits fast — especially if you've driven up quickly from Salta. The gravel descent has some loose, eroded corners, but nothing technical. Give yourself time to acclimatize and don't push pace.
Is there fuel or water available along the 68-mile route?
No fuel or services exist between the pass and San Antonio de los Cobres — fill up fully in Salta before heading out and carry extra. Water sources on the Puna are unreliable and should be treated; bring your own supply for the full day.
Trail track
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