Ruta Provincial 15 Paso de Agua Negra Mining Circuit
Abandoned copper mines at 4,780 meters elevation.
The abandoned copper mines along Provincial Route 15 tell the story of Argentina’s mining boom through rusted machinery and crumbling stone foundations scattered across the Cordillera Frontal. This remote track climbs from Iglesia through the Río de los Patos valley, passing the defunct Mina El Pachón workings before reaching the 4,780-meter Paso de Agua Negra on the Chilean border. Multiple technical river crossings through the Patos gorge challenge drivers with loose rock approaches and seasonal flow variations.
This is serious high-altitude terrain requiring full 4WD capability, recovery gear, and altitude acclimatization. Stock clearance vehicles will struggle with the boulder fields above 4,200 meters. Winter access (May-September) is impossible due to snow. Carry extra fuel for the 180-kilometer round trip from Iglesia, plus emergency food and water for potential weather delays. The reward is Argentina’s most dramatic high-altitude mining landscape and genuine solitude in the shadow of 6,000-meter peaks.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Rock |
| Features | High Altitude, Historic, Remote, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 112 mi / 180 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 15682 ft |
| Best season | October-April |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD high-clearance |
| Nearest town | Iglesia, San Juan |
| Land manager | Gobierno de San Juan |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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| Find on Google | Search on Google → |
Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail, or does it need modifications?
Stock is not enough here. You need a modified 4WD with high clearance, a snorkel or at minimum a raised air intake for the river crossings, and tires suited for sharp loose rock at altitude. Suspension lift and skid plates are not optional on this terrain.
When is Ruta Provincial 15 actually passable, and what closes it down?
October through April is the window. Winter snowfall at 4,780 meters makes the upper sections impassable, and melt-season flooding can blow out the river crossings unpredictably even in the good months. Check with locals in Iglesia before you go — road conditions change fast up here.
Do I need permits or fees to run this route through San Juan's Cordillera?
The route falls under Gobierno de San Juan jurisdiction and no formal permit fee is currently required for 4WD access, but you should register your trip with local authorities in Iglesia before heading out — this is genuine remote high-altitude terrain and that registration can be what saves your life if something goes wrong.
What's the hardest section and what exactly makes it technical?
The river crossings combined with the exposed rocky switchbacks above 4,500 meters are where this trail earns 'expert.' Water depth and current at the crossings vary by season and recent rainfall, and at that altitude your engine is already down on power while you're asking it to crawl technical rock. One bad line on the shelf roads means a very long fall with zero recovery anchor points nearby.
How far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead, and is 112 miles of range enough to worry about?
Iglesia is your last reliable fuel stop before this route — fill every can you have. At high altitude with 4WD engaged across 112 miles of technical terrain, fuel consumption runs significantly higher than normal, and there is zero infrastructure on the route itself. Carry a minimum 20-liter spare fuel load.
Trail track
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