Fodor's Expert Review Reserva Natural El Leoncito
Twenty-two km (14 miles) south of Barreal on Ruta 412 toward Uspallata, a dirt road turns off into Reserva Natural El Leoncito (Little Lion Natural Reserve), a vast, rocky area with little vegetation. You can continue on this road for 17 km (11 miles) to the CASLEO observatory ( www.casleo.conicet.gov.ar), known for its exceptional stargazing.
Near the turnoff, on the western side of Ruta 412 at Pampa Leoncito, the sport of carrovelismo (land-sailing) is practiced during summer months in wheeled sand cars called wind yachts that can travel up to 150 kph (93 mph) across a cracked-clay lake bed.
An all-day drive (160 km/100 miles round-trip) in a 4X4 to Las Hornillas at 3,300 meters (9,500 feet) takes you along the Río Los Patos into a red rock–walled canyon. The road narrows, clinging to the canyon walls, as it winds around closed curves, eventually opening into a small valley where, in 1817, General San Martín's troops gathered... READ MORE
Twenty-two km (14 miles) south of Barreal on Ruta 412 toward Uspallata, a dirt road turns off into Reserva Natural El Leoncito (Little Lion Natural Reserve), a vast, rocky area with little vegetation. You can continue on this road for 17 km (11 miles) to the CASLEO observatory ( www.casleo.conicet.gov.ar), known for its exceptional stargazing.
Near the turnoff, on the western side of Ruta 412 at Pampa Leoncito, the sport of carrovelismo (land-sailing) is practiced during summer months in wheeled sand cars called wind yachts that can travel up to 150 kph (93 mph) across a cracked-clay lake bed.
An all-day drive (160 km/100 miles round-trip) in a 4X4 to Las Hornillas at 3,300 meters (9,500 feet) takes you along the Río Los Patos into a red rock–walled canyon. The road narrows, clinging to the canyon walls, as it winds around closed curves, eventually opening into a small valley where, in 1817, General San Martín's troops gathered before crossing the Andes over Los Patos Pass on one of his historic liberation campaigns.
A brief glimpse of Aconcagua looming in solitary splendor about 160 km (100 miles) south is a preview of coming attractions: four peaks over 6,000 meters (20,000 feet) tall are visible in the Ramada Range to the northwest: Polaco, Alma Negra, La Ramada, and Mercaderio. The last of these—rising to 6,770 meters (22,211 feet)—is the fourth highest peak in the Americas. As the road winds ever higher, herds of guanacos graze on the steep slopes, pumas prowl in the bush, and condors soar above.
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