GENERAL FACTS 

Country: Argentina

Start / Finnish: Coquimbo/San Juan

Total Distance: 381 kilometers

Highest point:  4780 m

Open end-to-end: December to April

Road condition: paved, good.

LOCATION 

El Paso de Agua Negra (Black Water Pass) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.780m above the sea level, located in the border between Argentina and Chile, linking the IV Region of Coquimbo (Chile) with the Province of San Juan (Argentina).

HISTORY

Opened in 1965, the pass was closed in 1977 because political problems between the two countries and reopened to the public in 1994. This road has humbled many egos. It’s not for the sissies and shouldn’t be attempted by novice drivers. Nowadays are being constructed 2 tunnels, with a total length of 14km, which will allow an inter-oceanic communication through this pass.

DESCRIPTION

El Paso de Agua Negra (Black Water Pass) is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 4.780 m above the sea level, located in the border between Argentina and Chile, linking the IV Region of Coquimbo (Chile) with the Province of San Juan (Argentina).

The pass connects the towns of La Serena (in Chile) and San José de Jachal (in Argentina). The distance between these 2 cities is 381km. Most of them are on a gravel surface drivable with any kind of vehicle. Your wheels will be astounded at the wonderful views of the mountains spread out before you!

On the Chilean side the road is called Ruta 41. On the Argentinian side is called Ruta Nacional 150. It’s a real challenging drive and a true test of your vehicle and your stamina because the road abounds in twists and turns with wheels sometimes hanging above the precipice.

TIPS FOR TRAVEL

• Given this pass’s altitude and some unpaved parts of the road, we recommend that a beginner should not drive through this pass.
• Take into consideration that at this high altitude, the air is refined and with less oxygen than normal.