Mina Julia | Tourist Attraction

November 29th, 2023 by IG:opusonthemove

We headed this direction based on the "don't research it, just come here" comments. Had lunch in Causalidad, almost turned around and headed the other direction, tired of bumpy roads and worried about fuel. Boy are we glad we didn't. What an otherworldy scene up here. Definitely worth it if you are wandering around Puna in a capable vehicle.

The isolated paved portion of 27, from Causalidad to Caipe, is a neat vestige of the old mining days, connecting the mine to the nearest rail depot. Unfortunately it is really starting to deteriorate from modern mining traffic.

August 8th, 2023 by krapattontheroad

The access since mina casualidad is doable only by 4x4. You May enconter snow at some parts of the road, but if you are as lucky as us, it won't prevent you to go to the top.
At the pass, the landscape is very impressive. Beware : as you are around 5200 m asl, there is a lot of wind and fresh temperatures (-7 °C when we were there).

February 3rd, 2023 by Jimmytravelsaround

we have been to this gorgeous place about a year ago, but driving with a bicycle to mina Julia deserves all my respect!

December 5th, 2022 by ridewithjonas

Some infos for cyclists as I didnt find much on the internets: I did Mina Julia as a day trip with Mina Casualidad as a basecamp leaving most of my gear down to ride up with a light set-up. Despite the daunting 1200m of elevation gain very manageable as a day trip. 6:30h ride time for me for the whole roundtrip [4:30h up, 2h down, obviously very personal but among people riding the Puna I am probably about average]. If you come from the north you could also camp at the spot I added just at the road cut-off saving you about 500m of climbing [or 1:45h for me] out of Casualidad and brings you up as early as possible [highly recommended as for me big clouds and snow already moved in around noon making me skip the hike up to the summit]. As of December 22 road is in fairly good conditions for Puna-Standards. On the way up all rideable [on 2.4'' Maxxis Ardent tires]. Just on the last 3km grades get to about 10% on average which I couldn't cycle with my fairly in-adequate climbing gear combined with the lack of oxygen. But the ground is still rideable, so very easy bike-pushing. I went out with 1.5d of food/water and my camping gear which was way too much in hindsight but wanted to be better safe than sorry [know yourself]. If you fancy camping up, you will find wind shelter in a building for sure, just be a bit careful about the integrity of the roofs. Way down to Casualidad took me 2h as the road is a bit too bumpy for a fast downhill but depends on your set-up/comfort level.

October 23rd, 2022 by chameleon-tour.com

fantastic view, now in october 22 istill some snow patches blocking the road, need to folow detours but only posdible with 4wd and high clearance.
around 9 AM 15 mining trucks drove up from mina casualidade for first 8km, then they turnred right to new project.

May 22nd, 2022 by elmoost

We didn't Google it nor looked at pictures. Neither should you! There is no picture which will do this place with its spectacular views any justice. Absolutely awesome!

Drive up is in very good condition, doable with normal 2wd.

January 28th, 2022 by xtgfamily

Mina Julia has 5250 m altitude. There are old sulfur extraction facility. End of the world landscapes. 25 km from Mina Casualidad via a track. 2 km from the mine The track ravined and we have to play the shovel to pass our truck of 14 tons without risk.

Mina Julia a 5250 m d’altitude. on y vois les anciennes installation d’extraction de soufre. paysages de fin du monde. a 25 km de Mina casualidad via une piste. a 2 km de la mine la piste a raviné et nous avons du jouer de la pelle pour faire passer notre camion de 14 tonnes sans risques.

December 31st, 2021 by RTWriders.com

This is one of the world's coolest places. If you are nearby and don't go here, you could also miss El Chalten or Perito Moreno. As mentioned before - don't google it. It's not only about the mine, but more about the unreal landscape. You shouldn't go there too late, since the sun would be out of the main wall. Road was in a good condition, but beware it's very high altitude.

March 12th, 2021 by PanamePanam

The road is still in good shape, doable with 2wd. Wind was terrible when we were there. Seems to be better on morning than afternoon ( much more clouds and wind from our expérience in this area)

April 27th, 2018 by danyclement77

Yes, this place is amazing ! Don’t Google it. Just drive over there and you will be surprise and glad to arrive at the end of the world 😳
Just be prepare, the dirt road from Mina La Casualidad is in good condition and not very steep but the top is at more than 5200 !!!

January 15th, 2017 by hana.grundmannova

Abandoned mine (we guess sulphur and phosphorus). We could note down longer description but it is not necessary. In our opinion it is just out of this world! Amazing! We have some problem to upload pictures, but you can google it. Views on both sides as far as you can see. The road access from Mina La Casualidad is great dirt road.