The low mountain ranges of the Sierras Bonaerenses Australes are in the south of the province of Buenos Aires. They reach a maximum height of 1,200 m and their vegetation largely resembles the surrounding pampas.
Because of the relative proximity to the capital Buenos Aires the Sierren are a popular travel destination. They are also visited by many summer tourists from the Atlantic seaside resorts.
Regions
One can roughly distinguish between two main mountain ranges:
- The Ventania system (Sierra de la Ventana) is to the west north of the city Bahía Blanca. It is the highest mountain range in the region with rugged, sometimes curiously shaped peaks (up to 1250 m), but only of limited extent (100 km in north-south direction).
- The Tandilia system lies to the east of it, and is a more extensive, but lower (up to 500 m) hilly area with curious rock formations. It stretches about 340 km from the cities Azul and Olavarría in the central part of the province to the Atlantic coast Mar del Plata and consists of several sub-chains that are interrupted by levels.
places
- Tandile (140,000 inhabitants) in the Sierra of the same name, largest city in the region
- Balcarce (30,000 inhabitants), medium-sized town in the Sierras de Tandil.
- Pigue (15,000 inhabitants), city in the north of the Sierra de la Ventana.
- Tornquist (10,000 inhabitants) in the west of the Sierra de la Ventana.
- Sierra de la Ventana (5,000 inhabitants), pure tourist resort with a good infrastructure
- Sierra de los Padres (5,000 inhabitants) near the seaside resort Mar del Plata, Local recreation area for those who go to the beach
Other goals
- Dique Paso de las Piedras. Reservoir in the Sierra de la Ventana.
background
The mountain ranges in the south of the province of Buenos Aires are a popular travel destination, especially for the residents of the capital and the cities in the province. They are generally barren in terms of vegetation and consist mainly of grass-covered, rounded mountains with rocky slopes.
The two tourist centers are the Sierra de la Ventana, which is particularly popular with campers, and the city of Tandil. In contrast, the lower chains in the east and southeast, around the area around Balcarce, as well as the central part around Olavarría and Azul rarely visited by tourists. The exception is that Sierra de los Padres because of their proximity to the large seaside resort Mar del Plata.
language
"Standard Argentine" is spoken in the region.
getting there
- From Buenos Aires and the surrounding area: Suitable routes for Ventania are the Ruta Nacional 3 (Buenos Aires-Bahía Blanca) and for Tandilia the four-lane Ruta Provincial 2 (Buenos Aires - Mar del Plata, the junction to Tandil is in Las Armas). Bus routes run at frequent intervals on both. There is also a daily Buenos Aires-Bahía Blanca night train, which stops at several locations around the Sierra de la Ventana.
- Other cities: The area is accessible by direct buses to Mar del Plata and Tandil from Cordoba, Mendoza and Rosario to reach.
- Airports available in Mar del Plata and Bahía Blanca on the Atlantic coast, from there there are cheap local buses. Tandil Airport also offered scheduled flights to Buenos Aires at times, but these were discontinued (as of 2009).
mobility
The best mode of transport in the zone is the bus. The road network is good, there are numerous paved cross-connections between all important places.
Tourist Attractions
- Cerro La Ventana. Window-shaped mountain in the Sierra de la Ventana.
- Cerro El Centinela. Stone miraculously standing upright on a ledge, near Tandil.
activities
In the mountain landscapes you can hike, ride a horse, climb (only a few worthwhile peaks) and paraglide. In summer, however, you will come across many other tourists, especially in the Sierra de la Ventana and the immediate vicinity of Tandil, as the areas developed are very small. However, there are still lonely corners.
kitchen
As everywhere in the pampas, beef is mainly consumed in the sierras.
nightlife
Sierra de la Ventana has a sufficient nightlife as a tourist destination. The same goes for the big city of Tandil. Otherwise, the Atlantic coast is usually not far away.
security
Only in tourist areas in season (Sierra de la Ventana) and in Tandil is there a slightly increased risk of theft. Otherwise there is no need to be afraid of criminals.
climate
The climate is temperate, but is characterized by drastic temperature changes. In summer you can expect 20 to 35 degrees, in winter 5 to 20 degrees. It rains all year round, but periods of good weather are also common. In winter it can snow in the Sierra de la Ventana in particular, but there is nowhere enough for winter sports.
trips
You can make a detour to Atlantic coast of the province of Buenos Aires do. The city too Bahía Blanca offers some charms.
literature
Web links
- Sierra de la Ventana portal with updated information on accommodation and gastronomy
