The Tren de las Sierras is a train route between the Argentine city Cordoba to the popular holiday and festival location Cosquín.
Especially for a day or weekend excursion with children, the train, which occasionally travels through a spectacular gorge, is ideal to discover the various facets of the Sierras de Cordoba to get to know in a short time.
background
The train runs on the old narrow-gauge line between Córdoba and La Rioja. It was temporarily shut down in 2001. Operations resumed in 2007, and since 2008 it has been back to Cosquín, and from 2009 it should actually be Capilla del Monte and Cruz del Eje and thus cover the whole Punilla Valley - these plans have been postponed indefinitely due to problems with a mayor. The route is driven by modernized diesel multiple units from the 1960s.
Unfortunately, there are currently no plans to reactivate the entire route to La Rioja.
preparation
On weekends and during the holiday season, it is important to arrive at the train station early in order not to miss out on tickets. Reservations are not yet possible! It is not recommended to use it on public holidays and "long weekends", as there are sometimes no more free spaces 2 hours before departure ...
The journey takes about 2 hours, the price is cheap (6.50 ARS, as of October 2009). There are two frequencies per day (both in the morning) in each direction, three on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays. Updated timetable information and prices are available from Satélite Ferroviario available, where operational failures of sections of the route are also indicated.
getting there
From the center of Córdoba you can take the bus line A4 until the station Rodríguez del Busto, the bus stops directly opposite the small train station. The shopping center is a good point of orientation Dinosaurio Mall directly opposite the train station.
The train has officially been leaving the station since June 2009 Belgrano in the center. There are, however, some failures, as the section between this station and Rodríguez del Busto leads through slums and therefore there were several problems (including a blockade in August, which led to the train being canceled). It is therefore advisable to inquire about current conditions before the regular start of light rail operations on this route, which is expected at the end of 2009, and otherwise continue to Rodríguez del Busto. Belgrano is located 300 m north of the Río Suquía at the level of the Avenida General Paz and is served by several bus lines (including CR, R4, R5), but most of them do not go directly to the train station.
Route
Cordoba - La Calera
Between Cordoba and La Calera the train first travels through the periphery of Córdoba, sometimes through very poor neighborhoods. A first highlight is crossing the bridge from Saldánwhere you get a wonderful view of the valley of the Río Suquía. Then it goes on through the periphery to La Calera. The charmingly located, but poor place is not worth the effort of the journey, you should at least drive as far as San Roque.
La Calera - San Roque
The most attractive part of the train journey is between La Calera and San Roque. The Río Suquía crosses the mountain range in a sometimes very narrow gorge that leaves little space for the train route Sierra Chica. It drives past the old San Roque dam - it is hard to believe that its turbines once powered the world's most powerful hydroelectric power station - and shortly before the new dam through a tunnel to the coast of the Lago San Roque, on which one has a very attractive view at times.
San Roque is an ideal travel destination for camping enthusiasts, because the tiny town with less than 1000 inhabitants is located directly on the lake and there are plenty of campsites. The famous rock festival also takes place here Cosquín skirt (in February).
San Roque - Cosquín
The last part of the route again leads through a densely populated area. The train stops in twice Bialet Massé and once in Santa Maria de Punillabefore reaching Cosquín.
security
There are no particular dangers. A security man, who is unusually heavily armed with a baton and pistol (!), Ensures the safety of the passengers.
trips
In Cosquín there are several tours available. The most rewarding is the ascent of the "Sugar Loaf" (Cerro Pan de Azúcar), which is about 4 km east of the village and from which one has a view of almost the entire Punilla Valley and on the other side to Córdoba. There is a chair lift for the last few meters, the path is sometimes very steep (but not dangerous).
Are worthwhile destinations in the area La Falda, La Cumbre, Los cocos and Capilla del Montewhich are very easy to reach by bus. The bus station in Cosquín is located directly opposite the train station.
literature
Web links
- Website of the operating company Ferrocentral to the Tren de las Sierras.
