The Sierra de las Quijadas National Park located in Central Argentina in the sparsely populated northwest of the San Luis Province. It protects a dry, rough mountain landscape with strange, reddish colored rock formations.
The park is located away from populated centers and is about 150,000 hectares in size.
background
history
The park was established in 1991.
landscape
The landscape of the Sierra de las Quijadas consists of low mountain ranges and hills that are grouped around a round valley that seems to have been "eaten into" the landscape. The rugged mountain slopes are reminiscent of walls and fortresses and are colored reddish. Outside of this hilly landscape, the area is flat.
Flora and fauna
The area of the Sierra de las Quijadas lies at the intersection of the geographical regions of the Chaco and the Monte. The Chaco is a scrub and dry forest landscape that predominates in the east and north of the area. Low trees with hard leaves, a large number of cacti and bush-like plants predominate. The drier Monte, which connects to the west, no longer has any trees. Larger animal species include pumas and wild cats.
climate
The climate is warm-temperate, with hot summers and mild winters with crisp nights. The degree of cloudiness is low and the intensity of the sun due to the dry air is high, so you should think of good sun protection because of the scarce shade. In summer, daytime temperatures are around 30 ° C and nighttime temperatures around 15 ° C, in winter they are around 20 ° C during the day and 5 ° C at night. The most pleasant time is therefore in spring and autumn, but even then you should avoid lunchtime.
getting there
The park is off the beaten track, so arriving by car or by renting it is the most recommended option. Good starting points are San Luis (Arrival from there via the RN 147), San Juan (Arrival via the RN 20 and then the RN 147) as well as from the east Cordoba and Merlo (Arrival also via the RN 20). Of Buenos Aires from you have the choice between arriving via Cordoba (RN 9 and RN 20) or via San Luis (RN 7 and RN 147), with the variant via Córdoba to Villa Carlos Paz is a motorway and then leads over a delightful mountain expressway. A visit to the park can be easily combined with a trip to the Sierras de Cordoba or the nature reserve Ischigualasto.
Arrival by public transport is from San Luis possible to the junction of the access road, from there it is 8 km to the visitor center Las Aguadas. Of Cordoba and San Juan From there, the park can also be reached with the buses that run between the two cities, but in addition to the access road, you have to calculate the 15 km between the intersection RN 20 / RN 147 and the junction.
Fees / permits
Despite its seclusion, the park requires entry:
- AR $ 30 for non-residents of Argentina
- AR $ 10 for those living in Argentina
- AR $ 5 for students at Argentine universities and students at Argentine schools
- Free: pensioners over 65 years of age, children and young people under 16.
mobility
There is no public transport in the park. There are some driveways in the west, but in the most interesting part in the northeast there is only one driveway,
Tourist Attractions
The Potrero de la Aguada is the main attraction of the park. It is a circular valley that forms a natural amphitheater and is surrounded by reddish rock formations.
There are also a number of them archaeological sites. The largest of these is not far from the access road near the Potrero de la Aguada.
activities
There are two short hiking trails that lead to lookouts at Potrero de la Aguada. Excursions to the sites are also offered.
shop
In the park itself there is only one kiosk where you can buy drinks, for example. So you should bring everything you need with you.
kitchen
There is a small snack bar with simple dishes.
accommodation
Hotels and hostels
There are no hotels or hostels either in the park itself or in the vicinity. Either the provincial capital San Luis or the small towns offer an overnight base San Francisco de Monte de Oro and Quines , all three of which are about 100 km away.
camping
There is a camping area in the park that only offers the most essential infrastructure (only toilets, no showers).
security
trips
One can excellently visiting the park with a visit to the Sierra de San Luis combine. However, one should not underestimate the distances.
literature
Web links
- Official website of the National Park Administration, with card (Spanish)
