Ruta Nacional 9 – Quebrada del Diablo

The Devil’s Gorge earned its name from the bone-jarring switchbacks that climb from Jujuy’s valley floor to the high puna at 4,200 meters. This section of RN9 between Volcán and Susques punishes both machine and driver with loose shale, blind corners, and washouts that appear after every rainstorm. The road clings to canyon walls where one mistake sends you tumbling into the Río Grande de San Juan below.

This is serious high-altitude driving that demands a properly sorted 4WD with low-range and decent tires — the loose surface and steep grades will expose any mechanical weakness. Weather changes fast up here, so pack warm gear and extra fuel. Best tackled April through October when snow isn’t blocking the highest passes. You’ll earn every meter of elevation with stunning views across the Puna de Atacama and a real sense of what driving the backbone of the Andes actually feels like.