“La Ascención” Portal: “Parque Patagonia” Circuit – Patagonia National Park.

It is located in the northwest of the province, between the towns of Los Antiguos (20 km) and Perito Moreno (40 km) and on the shores of Lake Buenos Aires. It has numerous trails with different levels of difficulty that invite you to experience the natural and cultural beauty of the place. You can also spot the spectacular native fauna of the region, such as guanacos, foxes, skunks, choiques, condors, and hundreds of birds, and perhaps the tracks of a puma. “La Ascención,” which covers 20,000 acres from the lake to the Lake Buenos Aires Plateau, is open to the public free of charge to promote nature tourism throughout the “Parque Patagonia” Binational Circuit.

Historic Center and path to the lake

The cattle ranch’s historic center includes the old school converted into a visitor center, the renovated circular “matera,” and the sheep shearing shed, which now houses a cultural center. From there, the Trail to the lake begins, providing access to the shores of Lake Buenos Aires and a service area with public fire pits after passing through galleries of ancient willows and poplars. Continuing to the right and left for 800 meters leads to different environments and views.

• Duration: 45 min. one way.
• Length: 1.5 km.
• Difficulty: Low.

The Moon’s Trail

A spectacular viewpoint overlooking the lake from a high cliff. You can descend to the shore, observing strata containing volcanic material from ancient eruptions. The beach is ideal for walking on calm days. You can appreciate the native flora, including ancient specimens of blackthorn (Colletia histryx), unique to the southern shore of the great lake. Access is on foot from Route 43 (7 km east of the Los Antiguos police checkpoint

• Duration: 50 minutes.
• Difficulty: Low. The return from the coast requires an ascent up a sandy slope.
• Length: 2.2km.

Download the trail brochure at the following link:

https://parquepatagoniaargentina.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/folletos/parque-patagonia-argentina-2023-2024.pdf

Pinturas River Canyon Portal – “Parque Patagonia” Circuit.

It is located on National Route 40, 57 km south of Perito Moreno and 74 km north of Bajo Caracoles. A network of 16 km of trails offers the opportunity to hike, go on photo safaris, and spot wildlife such as guanacos, red foxes, lizards, skunks, choiques, Andean condors, hundreds of bird species, pumas, and the endemic orange-browed chinchilla. Along the way, you can see imposing cliffs, panoramic views of the Andean foothills, vibrantly colored lands, deep canyons, and eaves with cave paintings.

“Tierra de Colores” Trail

It offers a trail through a canyon with irregular walls and gradient pastel colors. You cross a small plateau to reach a viewing balcony that offers a view of the vast landscape. Fossil fragments have been found in this area, such as the molars of primates, vertebrates that inhabited the region during the Tertiary or Cenozoic era, some 65 million years ago.

• Duration: 1h 45 min (round trip).
• Length: 4.8 km (round trip).
• Difficulty: Low.

“La Guanaca” Trail

After a hike, you ascend to “Cerro Amarillo,” which offers an elevated view of the Pinturas River Canyon.

• Duration: 1h 45 min (round trip).
• Length: 3.8 km (round trip).
• Difficulty: Medium.

Download brochure at the following link:

http://www.parquepatagoniaargentina.org/files/canadon-folleto-esp.pdf

“Perito Moreno” National Park

Located in the center-west of the province, 220 km northwest of the town of Gobernador Gregores. Covering an area of 126,830 acres, the park is of high scientific value due to the discovery of paleontological remains and the biological elements it protects.

Belgrano Peninsula Nature Trail:

It begins at the Lake Belgrano isthmus and runs through the steppe-forest transition area. Approximate duration: 2 hours.

Ascent of “Cerro León”

It begins at the “La Oriental” Cattle Ranch and the round trip takes approximately 4 hours. It offers panoramic views and the chance to observe condors in flight.

“El Chaltén”

A small town known as the National Trekking Capital of Argentina, it extends north of Lake Viedma and El Calafate (214 km), at the foot of “Cerro Fitz Roy.”

“Mirador de los Cóndores” & “Mirador de Las Águilas” Trails

It offers panoramic views of the town of El Chaltén and the mountain ranges Fitz Roy and “Torre”. This easy hike introduces the Patagonian landscape.

• Duration: 2 hours.
• Length: 3 km (round trip).
• Difficulty: Low.

“Chorrillo del Salto” Trail

This is one of the most accessible and popular hikes in the area of El Chaltén, ideal for those short on time or looking for a peaceful walk amidst the Patagonian wilderness. The trail leads to a beautiful waterfall approximately 20 meters high, surrounded by native forest and rock formations typical of the region.

The trail begins just outside the village and can be done on foot or by car, making it an excellent option for all ages and fitness levels. It is especially recommended for families, older adults, or travelers looking for a short, scenic hike.

• Estimated duration: Approximately 1 hour (one way) walking at a leisurely pace and 15 minutes by car.
• Total distance: 3 km kilometers.
• Type of trail: low difficulty, with little elevation change and well signposted.

“Capri” Lagoon Trail

This trail passes through lenga forests and offers stunning views of “Cerro Fitz Roy.” The “Capri” campsite is located here, a popular spot for camping and enjoying the tranquility of the surroundings.

• Duration: 3-4 hours.
• Length: 8 km (round trip).
• Difficulty: Medium – high.

“Torre” Lagoon Trail

It leads to the lagoon located at the foot of “Cerro Torre,” passing by the “Cerro Torre” Viewpoint and the “De Agostini” campsite. It is common to spot icebergs floating in the lagoon.

• Duration: 6-7 hours.
• Length: 18 km (round trip).
• Difficulty: Medium – high.

“De los Tres” Lagoon Trail

The trail to “De los Tres” Lagoon is the most classic and sought-after hike in El Chaltén, offering unparalleled views of “Cerro Fitz Roy,” reflected in the glacial waters of the lagoon. It is a challenging but deeply rewarding experience for any mountain and nature lover. The trail passes through forests, streams, viewpoints, and campsites, until reaching the final viewpoint: a picture-perfect view of the Fitz Roy massif, accompanied by the Poincenot and Saint-Exupéry peaks, with the turquoise lagoon in the foreground.

• Duration: 8 hours.
• Length: 20 km (round trip).
• Difficulty: High.

“Loma del Pliegue Tumbado” Trail

It is an unforgettable experience for those seeking panoramic views and a challenging hike. Unlike other trails that cross valleys and forests, this one ascends an open hillside, offering a completely different view of El Chaltén’s landscape. Along the way, you will get spectacular views of Fitz Roy and “Torre” hills, the “Torre” Lagoon, the glaciers of “Los Glaciares” National Park, and even Lake Viedma and the “Río de las Vueltas” Valley. On clear days, the view from the summit is 360°, one of the best in the area.

• Duration: 10 hours.
• Length: 24 km (round trip).
• Difficulty: High.

The circuit begins in the city of Comodoro Rivadavia as the gateway, since there is the airport closest to the localities of the Blue Route entering from the north of Patagonia. Since it is a Corridor of more than 800 kms crossed by various attractions that are worth knowing. In this case we will approach a section of it, making a base in the locality of Puerto Deseado, in an itinerary that in total can take approximately five days.

From Comodoro Rivadavia you will have to travel 300 kms by land to reach the city of Puerto Deseado. The amazing biodiversity added to the large number of reserves and protected areas is a hallmark of this corner of Patagonia.

On the first day of activities it is suggested to visit the “Isla Pingüino” Interjurisdictional Park, the star of voyages, since here the only continental colony of rockhopper penguins stops to reproduce and coexists with a colony of Magellan penguins and sea lions they surround the centennial Lighthouse of the island that, still in ruins, allows a glimpse of its special past. On the way, navigation also promises the observation of dolphins and dolphins from Oviedo.

Another must-see is the excursion to the Deseado Estuary, a geographical accident where the ocean plunges into the continent for 42 kilometers in the old channel of the Deseado Estuary, displaying on its journey great wealth from the fauna that during nautical crossings opens up endless attractions for lovers of nature in its purest form. Sea lions and colonies of cormorants are part of the sighting in these parts that also has stories of sailors who catch the visitor.

It is impossible to leave Puerto Deseado without visiting the Darwin Camp and the Cattle Ranch “El Paso”, an impressive scene of large rock formations that is located on the end of the Estuary and where the naturalist Charles Darwin camped in 1833 when he made an expedition through Patagonia.

A nearby attraction is the Petrified Forest National Park, a place that has an area of 63,543 hectares and where you can see fallen and 150-million-years-old petrified logs. At that time dense forests with gigantic trees were developed, among which ancient relatives of the pehuenes (araucaria) deserve to be highlighted. At the beginning of the Cretaceous period, volcanic eruptions, which coincided with the beginning of the uplift of the mountain range, buried vast extensions of the Patagonian territory with ash and lava. Part of the forests covered by ash was subject to petrification processes and are those that can be observed today in the National Park.

Jaramillo and Fitz Roy are the head localities of the national park. Both were born on the edge of the railway line and are characterized by the construction of traditional buildings made of metal sheet, wood and picturesque stone houses built by stonecutters in the early 1900s. They were also the scene of the bloody strikes of 1921. Today the railway stations and site museums are kept restored.

In this way, this suggested circuit closes, but there is still a long way to go in the Blue Route Corridor, which ends in the city of Río Gallegos, capital of the Province of Santa Cruz.

It is a journey that takes approximately six or seven days. It should be taken into account that due to the climatic characteristics and the state of the roads, it is suggested to do it only in spring – summer, check the condition of the vehicles and ensure the supply of fuel.

Entering “Comodoro Rivadavia” – the closest airport in the area – the first place to visit is the Sarmiento Petrified Forest, for which you will have to travel about 150 kms.

The Forest is located 30 km south of the city of Sarmiento and is accessed by gravel road. This provincial natural monument is a Cenozoic-era forest with an approximate age of 65 million years. These petrified trees, witnesses of Prehistory, form a landscape of indescribable beauty that has the hardness of rock, the color of the different geological strata and the heavy silence of respect for nature. Their petrified trunks are the result of the effect that these millions of years had on their wood. At the beginning of the Tertiary era, the Andes mountain range rose and thus prevented the passage of moisture from the Pacific. At the same time, there were eruptions the ash sediments of which spread and began a slow transformation process of these logs into stone.

In the area it is also possible to visit the southernmost vineyard in the world. “Viñedo Fruto de Los Lagos” has an important fruit production, cherries, peaches, apricots and vines, which are produced under organic practices and sustainable procedures.

The tour continues through 100 kms to reach Río Mayo and visit the “Don José” Cattle Ranch, which is the place where all the activities of the GuenGuel Project take place. “Establecimiento Don José” is a Patagonian cattle ranch that allows you to be in contact with nature, sharing with your family and enjoying different rural activities, leisure activities or simply resting outdoors. Here, you will be able to know the scope of the GuenGuel venture, on the basis of the sustainable farming of guanaco for the production of special fine fibers from the Patagonia and the addition of the value chain to the design and fabric of their garments. In addition, you can visit the ORIZON Mineral Water plant of organic lands.

Leaving Chubut territory, the next destination is Los Antiguos, already in the province of Santa Cruz. Here fishing, family hikes and visits to productive orchards are part of the most attractive activities. This locality is the National Capital of Cherry, and the environment offers a natural spectacle when September begins and the cherry blossoms stain all the farms white.

Los Antiguos is a good starting point to get to know the Patagonia National Park. Very close to there is the “Portal La Ascensión”, one of the entrances to the protected area. It is recommended to take a walk along trails that allow you to go through different environments between the lake and the plateau, inviting you to imagine the transit of native peoples through that place in the past. Its natural viewpoints offer wide panoramas of the Andes Mountain Range and distant horizons of the Patagonian steppe.

The next destination is Lago Posadas, where it is accessed after crossing 170 kms of one of the most impressive scenic roads in Patagonia, along Provincial Route 41, known as Monte Zeballos Road. This section can only be traveled in summer and is home of one of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in Patagonia. The starting point is the Buenos Aires Lake, about 200 meters above sea level. In the course of this path, the visitor will reach 1500 meters above sea level. That is precisely the main attraction, which will make them go from the steppe vegetation, to the forest (Monte Zeballos) and from the forest to a high mountain landscape. Finally, a great descent leads to the Columna, Posadas and Pueyrredón lakes and the locality of Lago Posadas. This attraction allows activities such as trekking, fishing, bird watching, landscape photography and the possibility of camping at the place.

In addition to its attractive landscape, the Posadas Lake attracts a good number of sports fishing enthusiasts. In the waters of the two lakes (Posadas and Pueyrredón), in addition to those of the nearby Oro river, there are rainbow trout, brown trout, salmon, perch and Patagonian silverside. This is precisely the reason that makes the Posadas Lake area a paradise for fishermen seeking almost virgin destinations.

From Posadas Lake, it is suggested to visit one of the four World Heritage Sites that the Patagonian region has: the archaeological site “Cueva de las Manos”. The place invites you to learn about the prehistory of South America through this cave with 9,300-year-old cave paintings and to understand the dynamics of the first men, hunters and gatherers who inhabited Patagonia. Of all of them, the most famous and oldest are the positive and negative silhouettes of the hands (829 have been counted), overlapping in certain cases. Furthermore, animal silhouettes (mainly guanacos and choiques) can be observed. It is believed that they were the main components of the diet of the ancient peoples and therefore it was frequent that scenes of the collective hunting of these animals were shown.

From there it is suggested to spend the night in the locality of Perito Moreno, to undertake on the next day an amazing excursion that can only be arranged with the Zoyen agency. It is about the visit to the “Alero Charcamata”, declared a National Historic Monument for its beauty and large number of paintings of around 7000 years. In this excursion, you travel all the time immersed in the Patagonian steppe along desolate roads, where the guanacos are the main protagonists of the majestic landscape, knowing the life of the field in situ, experiencing the history and the present of the cattle ranching of the area. The natural setting of the area, its canyons, the fording of the river, paintings, the landscape and the rock art intact and very far from civilization make time travel inevitable. Charcamata has an 80 meter mouth, 40 meters high and more than 20 meters deep. And inside, hundreds of hands, guanacos, pumas, choiques and geometric figures stamped on its walls by our ancestors thousands of years ago. 

Finally, the tour goes back into the Province of Chubut, to get closer to the city of Comodoro Rivadavia, where this circuit had started. But before heading back, it is worth visiting the “Punta del Marqués” Nature Reserve and the small seaside resort of Rada Tilly from there. The Reserve protects a rookery of one-hair sea lions, with a population of between 400 to 1,500 wolves, depending on the time of year. The highest concentration occurs between the months of October and December. Rada Tilly, meanwhile, is characterized by its extensive and quiet beaches, where sand yachting is practiced, among other sports.

Office of the “Los Antiguos” Bus Terminal: Av. Tehuelches No. 157, Los Antiguos (9401), Santa Cruz.

(02966) 15 62 28 52

pnpatagonia@apn.gob.ar

Intendancy: Colombia 353, Caleta Olivia (9011), Santa Cruz.

(0297) 483 1201

bosquespetrificados@apn.gob.ar

Perito Moreno National Park Intendancy, Paseo 9 de Julio 610, (9311) Gobernador Gregores, Santa Cruz.

(02962) 491477

peritomoreno@apn.gob.ar

Intendancy of the “Isla Pingüino” Interjurisdictional Marine Park

San Martín 1137, Puerto Deseado (CP 9050), Santa Cruz.

(0297) 487-0220

islapingüino@apn.gob.ar

Mariano Moreno 1073, Puerto San Julián (9310), Santa Cruz.

pimmakenke@apn.gob.ar

Contact:

“Los Glaciares” National Park Intendancy: Av. del Libertador 1302, (9405) El Calafate, Santa Cruz.

Telephones: (02902) 491005, 491788 and 491545. Information Center

Telephone: (02902) 492504.

E-mail: informespnlg@apn.gob.ar

“Ceferino Fonzo Park Ranger” Information Center, North Zone, “Los Glaciares” National Park (9301), El Chaltén, Santa Cruz.

Email: pnlgzonanorte@apn.gob.ar

“Monte León” National Park Intendancy, San Martín 196 (9300) Puerto Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz.

(02962) 498184

monteleon@apn.gob.ar