Ruta Provincial 17 Laguna del Diamante
Diamond lake beneath Maipo's volcanic shadow
The dirt track to Laguna del Diamante cuts through some of Mendoza’s most brutal high-altitude terrain, where the road deteriorates into loose volcanic scree and boulder fields after the Arroyo Papagayos crossing. Named for the diamond-like reflections of Volcán Maipo in its emerald waters, this glacial lake sits at 3,250 meters where the air burns your lungs and your rig’s cooling system gets tested. The final 15 kilometers demand low-range crawling over house-sized rocks, with the Río Diamante crossing potentially impassable during spring melt.
Extreme difficulty requires serious rock sliders, diff locks, and 35-inch tires minimum. June through September offers the safest water levels, but expect snow at elevation and sub-freezing nights. No fuel, water, or services exist beyond Pareditas village — carry 200+ liters fuel and plan for three days. The payoff is otherworldly: camping beside an alpine lake with 6,000-meter peaks reflecting in water so clear you can see the volcanic sand bottom 20 meters down.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Extreme |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Mixed, Rock |
| Features | Camping, High Altitude, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 68 mi / 109.4 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 10663 ft |
| Best season | June-September |
| Minimum vehicle | Modified 4WD with rock protection |
| Nearest town | Pareditas, Mendoza |
| Land manager | Dirección Provincial de Recursos Naturales |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Start coordinates | |
| End coordinates | |
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Location
Trail Conditions
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Frequently asked questions
What's the minimum rig I can realistically run this trail in?
A modified 4WD with skid plates, rock sliders, and a lift is the floor here — stock anything will get torn apart on the rocky sections. High-clearance is non-negotiable, and a locker front or rear will save you on the technical climbs. Don't attempt this in a crossover or light SUV.
When is Ruta Provincial 17 to Laguna del Diamante actually open and driveable?
The trail is best run June through September when the snowmelt has stabilized and river crossings are more predictable — counterintuitively, this is the Andean winter but the dry season at altitude. Summer (December–February) brings snowmelt that swells the crossings to dangerous levels and can make sections impassable.
Do I need a permit to drive to Laguna del Diamante?
Yes — access is controlled by the Dirección Provincial de Recursos Naturales and you'll need to register and obtain permission before entering the reserve. Check in with provincial authorities in Mendoza or San Rafael before your run; enforcement at the checkpoint is real and they will turn you around without paperwork.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what should I actually expect?
The upper approach to the lake involves loose volcanic rock, steep shelf road with exposure, and multiple river crossings that vary in depth depending on snowmelt conditions — some can hit axle-deep or worse. The combination of 10,000+ ft altitude, no cell service, and nowhere to turn a big rig around makes a mechanical failure here a serious situation, not an inconvenience.
How far is the nearest fuel from the trailhead and is there water on route?
Pareditas is your last guaranteed fuel stop before heading into the reserve — top off there and carry extra if your rig drinks fuel on climbs. Water crossings exist on the route, but treat anything you collect; bring enough drinking water for the full 2-3 days since there are no services once you're inside the reserve.
Trail track
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