Valle de la Luna Backcountry Circuit
Mars on Earth through salt formations
Drive through landscape that NASA uses to test Mars rovers in this otherworldly circuit through the Cordillera de la Sal. The route winds between towering salt spires and across ancient lake beds where flamingos once fed millions of years ago. Tres Marías rock formations mark the halfway point, where drivers thread between house-sized salt pillars carved by wind and rare desert rains.
High-clearance vehicles handle this moderate route easily, though the salt formations create sharp edges that can slice sidewalls. Carry two spares and a tire repair kit. The dry season from May to September offers the most stable conditions, though summer heat can push 45°C. Start early and pack serious water reserves—dehydration happens fast in this environment. The reward is experiencing one of Earth’s most alien landscapes without the crowds of the main tourist routes.
Trail Specs
| Difficulty | Moderate |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | High Clearance |
| Surface | Mixed |
| Features | Remote, Scenic |
| Length (miles) | 28 mi / 45.1 km |
| Duration | 1 day |
| Max elevation (ft) | 8200 ft |
| Best season | May-September |
| Minimum vehicle | High-clearance 4WD |
| Nearest town | San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta |
| Land manager | CONAF |
| Permit required | No |
| Cell service | None |
| Water crossings | No |
| Dispersed camping | Yes |
| Official sources | conaf.cl |
| 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
No recent condition reports. Be the first to post one.
Log in to post a condition report.
Frequently asked questions
Can a stock Tacoma or 4Runner run this trail without modifications?
Yes, any stock high-clearance 4WD handles this fine. The terrain is salt flats and hardpack desert with occasional loose sections — nothing requiring a lift or lockers, but a low-clearance car or SUV will bottom out on the rougher cuts.
Is the trail accessible year-round or does weather shut it down?
Best window is May through September when conditions are dry and stable. January through March is the Bolivian winter (altiplanic summer), which brings flash flooding that can make salt flat crossings impassable and dangerous with zero warning.
Do you need a permit to run this circuit and what does CONAF charge?
Yes, access falls under CONAF jurisdiction and requires a Valle de la Luna entry fee — currently around 5,000–9,000 Chilean pesos per person depending on residency status. Pay at the CONAF checkpoint before entering; cash is safest as card readers are unreliable out there.
What's the hardest section and what should I actually expect?
The most demanding stretches are the loose salt crust sections where the surface looks solid but isn't — a wrong line can drop a wheel through the crust. Stay on established tracks, airing down to 20–22 PSI helps, and watch for unmarked drainage cuts that cross the route with little warning.
How far is it to the nearest fuel and should I top off before heading out?
San Pedro de Atacama is your only fuel stop — top off there before the circuit, no exceptions. The nearest gas beyond that is Calama, roughly 100km north, and there is zero cell service on the entire route so a breakdown without fuel is a serious situation.
Trail track
No GPX track for this trail yet. If you've driven it and have a track, contribute below.
Log in to contribute a GPX track.