Paso Agua Negra

This is the highest pass between Argentina and Chile that actually lies on the border between the two countries. It is generally open between November to May – though you need to check before you cycle as the exact dates it’s open are dependent on snow conditions each year.

The views on the Argentina side are excellent when you get high up, and on the Chilean side they’re equally good. Most of the road is paved, or good ripio, and as the gradients are gentle, this is probably the easiest of the high (>4000m) routes between Argentina and Chile. Road work is being done on both sides of the pass, and a tunnel is due to be built on the route at some time in the future.

Note that on the Chilean side the road from Vicuña to La Serena is busy and passes through dull scenery – we were planning on cycling all the way to the sea, but ended up jumping on a bus.

Name of Pass Paso Agua Negra
Where Between Las Flores (Argentina, 86km) and Vicuña (Chile, 158km)
GPS Co-ords 30.193 S, 69.826 W
Altitude 4,772m


View Paso de Agua Negra in a larger map

Argentina Pass List
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Chile Pass List