Tungsten Road — Ross River to Cantung Mine
Dead-end mine road into the Mackenzie Mountain void.
The road to Canada Tungsten — locally called the Tungsten Road or Cantung Road — departs from near Ross River and hammers northwest into the Mackenzie Mountains, ending at the shuttered Cantung open-pit mine just inside the Northwest Territories border at an elevation pushing 4,500 feet. The route crosses the Nahanni Range and traces the South Nahanni River drainage before dead-ending at a facility that has been intermittently operating since the 1960s. Multiple unbridged creek crossings and deeply rutted mining road sections characterize the back half. The Tungsten Mine camp itself is a fascinating industrial ghost — concentrators, tailings ponds, and buildings frozen mid-operation depending on the year’s market.
This is genuine expert territory. The crossings on the latter 80 km can run knee-deep or higher during spring melt, and there is absolutely no rescue infrastructure. A stock truck does not belong here — lockers, a snorkel, and recovery gear are baseline. No fuel beyond Ross River, and Ross River’s fuel supply is itself sometimes unreliable. Best window is late July through August when water levels stabilize. Zero cell service the entire run. You come here for the specific thrill of driving somewhere most people in the world will never go, through mountain country that looks like the Rockies ate the Yukon whole.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Expert |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Backcountry, Technical 4x4 |
| Surface | Dirt, Gravel, Mixed |
| Features | Historic, Remote, Scenic, Water Crossings |
| Length (miles) | 112 mi / 180 km |
| Duration | 2-3 days |
| Max elevation (ft) | 4600 ft |
| Best season | Late July-August |
| Minimum vehicle | Fully equipped 4WD with lockers and snorkel |
| Nearest town | Ross River, YT |
| Land manager | Yukon Department of Highways and Public Works / North American Tungsten |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | Yes |
| 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
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Frequently asked questions
Can a lifted 4Runner or Tacoma handle Tungsten Road, or do I actually need lockers?
You need lockers — front and rear. The route has deep rutted sections, steep sidehills, and soft ground after rain where open diffs will leave you high-centered and stranded with zero recovery help for potentially a day or more. A snorkel is strongly advised given the river crossings. This is not a trail to test the limits of a stock rig.
When does Tungsten Road actually become passable, and is August too late?
Late July through August is the reliable window. Snow can linger on higher sections into June, and fall storms can roll in hard by mid-September. August is prime — ground is firmer, water levels are lower after snowmelt, and you have maximum daylight. Don't push it past early September.
Do I need any permits or permissions to drive to Cantung Mine?
The road is a public access route but the Cantung Mine site itself is private industrial property owned by North American Tungsten — do not enter the mine facility without prior authorization. No permit is required to drive the road, but check current status with Yukon Department of Highways as road conditions and access can be affected by mine operational status.
What's the hardest section of the trail and what specifically makes it gnarly?
The stretch pushing east through the Mackenzie Mountains toward the NWT border is the crux — expect steep off-camber climbs, loose shale, and multiple unbridged creek crossings that can run fast and thigh-deep after rain. The road is unmaintained in sections and washouts are common. One bad crossing or a snapped axle here means a very long wait for help.
How much fuel do I need, and is there any resupply between Ross River and Cantung?
There is zero fuel between Ross River and Cantung — it's 180 km each way, 360 km round trip on rough terrain that burns fuel hard. Carry enough for at least 500 km of range minimum, factoring in idling, recovery attempts, and detours. Top off completely in Ross River before you leave and carry a dedicated jerry can.
Trail track
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