Los Antiguos, Lago Posadas, and Cueva de las Manos

Small village to the northwest of the Santa Cruz province, at the foot of the Andes Mountains and on the shores of Buenos Aires Lake (South America’s second-largest lake). The latter is one of the natural attractions of Los Antiguos. It can be explored on boat excursions or contemplated from different panoramic points.

Los Antiguos is known as the National Cherry Capital, and between November and February, you can see the life of rural families during the harvest. Throughout the year, you can taste fresh products as well, visiting family farms and establishments. In January, the National Cherry Festival is celebrated.

Just 20 kilometres away, along Provincial Route 43, you can visit the La Ascensión Area of the Patagonia National Park, with trails of varying difficulty and duration to walk around.

We recommend you to refuel in this city before continuing the trip.

Find more information on www.santacruzpatagonia.gob.ar

Small village to the northwest of the Santa Cruz province, at the foot of the Andes Mountains and on the shores of Buenos Aires Lake (South America’s second-largest lake). The latter is one of the natural attractions of Los Antiguos. It can be explored on boat excursions or contemplated from different panoramic points.

Los Antiguos is known as the National Cherry Capital, and between November and February, you can see the life of rural families during the harvest. Throughout the year, you can taste fresh products as well, visiting family farms and establishments. In January, the National Cherry Festival is celebrated.

Just 20 kilometres away, along Provincial Route 43, you can visit the La Ascensión Area of the Patagonia National Park, with trails of varying difficulty and duration to walk around.

We recommend you to refuel in this city before continuing the trip.

Find more information on www.santacruzpatagonia.gob.ar

The spectacular scenic tour begins: Provincial Route 41 (also known as the Zeballos Mount Road), which connects Los Antiguos and Lago Posadas villages. It is a gravel road of approximately 169 kilometres that runs south of the province.

From the Jeinimeni River viewpoint, you can have a panoramic view of the massive Buenos Aires Lake. From here, listen to the car audio guide (available at the orange markers set along the whole route) to learn about the history and geography of the most relevant places on this scenic route.

The spectacular scenic tour begins: Provincial Route 41 (also known as the Zeballos Mount Road), which connects Los Antiguos and Lago Posadas villages. It is a gravel road of approximately 169 kilometres that runs south of the province.

From the Jeinimeni River viewpoint, you can have a panoramic view of the massive Buenos Aires Lake. From here, listen to the car audio guide (available at the orange markers set along the whole route) to learn about the history and geography of the most relevant places on this scenic route.

As you climb the plateau of the Buenos Aires Lake, the landscape changes. From these viewpoints, two rock formations can be seen in the distance: a volcanic rock “castle” of the Jurassic period, and a natural stone labyrinth.

Cross the El Álamo estate, and take the path to the right, you will reach the Ceballos River waterfall.

If you continue along Provincial Route 41, you will find a 360º viewpoint with dazzling views of the Colorado Mount, the Zeballos Mount at 2,720 metres above sea level, the Andes Mountains, and the confluence of the Jeinimeni and Zeballos rivers.

Cross the El Álamo estate, and take the path to the right, you will reach the Ceballos River waterfall.

If you continue along Provincial Route 41, you will find a 360º viewpoint with dazzling views of the Colorado Mount, the Zeballos Mount at 2,720 metres above sea level, the Andes Mountains, and the confluence of the Jeinimeni and Zeballos rivers.

It is worth stopping at this viewpoint to see a waterfall and the Zeballos riverhead. After one kilometre, the road reaches its highest point at the El Portezuelo crossing, at 1,520 metres above sea level. On clear days, the San Lorenzo Mount, the highest in the province with 3,706 metres above sea level, can be seen.

It is worth stopping at this viewpoint to see a waterfall and the Zeballos riverhead. After one kilometre, the road reaches its highest point at the El Portezuelo crossing, at 1,520 metres above sea level. On clear days, the San Lorenzo Mount, the highest in the province with 3,706 metres above sea level, can be seen.

Continuing south for 26 kilometres, you will reach the Escondida Lagoon, where you can see black-necked swans, ducks, and hooded grebes. A viewpoint that encourages you to contemplate the Colorado, Lápiz, and Colmillo mounts, the plateau of Buenos Aires Lake, and the Columna Lake.

Continuing south for 26 kilometres, you will reach the Escondida Lagoon, where you can see black-necked swans, ducks, and hooded grebes. A viewpoint that encourages you to contemplate the Colorado, Lápiz, and Colmillo mounts, the plateau of Buenos Aires Lake, and the Columna Lake.

At the foot of the Andes Mountains, located in a landscape of superb natural beauty and impressive geological wealth, the town of Lago Posadas offers inns, camping sites, and restaurants.

If you keep heading south for about 40 kilometres along a road only for 4x4 vehicles, you can visit the Perito Moreno National Park, one of the most unspoilt and inhospitable parks in Argentina.

Find more information on www.santacruzpatagonia.gob.ar.

Seven kilometres from Lago Posadas village, you can visit its namesake lake. With an intense turquoise colour and a funny rock formation on one of its banks, known as Stone Arch, this lake is separated from the huge Pueyrredón Lake by a narrow isthmus only 200 metres wide. In its surroundings, there are trekking trails, and mountain bike outings with authorised guides.

Find more information about the Posadas and Pueyrredón lakes here, two must-visit destinations.

Seven kilometres from Lago Posadas village, you can visit its namesake lake. With an intense turquoise colour and a funny rock formation on one of its banks, known as Stone Arch, this lake is separated from the huge Pueyrredón Lake by a narrow isthmus only 200 metres wide. In its surroundings, there are trekking trails, and mountain bike outings with authorised guides.

Find more information about the Posadas and Pueyrredón lakes here, two must-visit destinations.

This place, which has a hostel, a hotel, and a campsite only open in season, is a strategic stop to refuel.

From here, and heading west for 40 kilometres along Provincial Route 41, you can visit El Sauco area, one of the entrances to the Patagonia National Park (it has a wild camping site, two low-difficulty trekking trails, and one of moderate difficulty).

The Cueva de las Manos Provincial Park is an important archaeological site, declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. There are two ways to get there. You can take National Route 40 (paved) for about 40 kilometres to the north and then take a 27-kilometre gravel road (which ends up joining Provincial Route 97). Otherwise, from Bajo Caracoles, take Provincial Route 97 (gravel) for about 47 kilometres.

Here, there is a cave on a cliff in the heart of the Pinturas River Canyon (one of the wildest landscapes in the Santa Cruz steppe), and inside, there are cave paintings of more than 9,000 years old. A guided visit can be hired all year round.

Make sure you check the forecast beforehand, since the park can close due to bad weather. Find more information about the Cueva de las Manos here, a must-see attraction.

The Cueva de las Manos Provincial Park is an important archaeological site, declared a UNESCO’s World Heritage Site. There are two ways to get there. You can take National Route 40 (paved) for about 40 kilometres to the north and then take a 27-kilometre gravel road (which ends up joining Provincial Route 97). Otherwise, from Bajo Caracoles, take Provincial Route 97 (gravel) for about 47 kilometres.

Here, there is a cave on a cliff in the heart of the Pinturas River Canyon (one of the wildest landscapes in the Santa Cruz steppe), and inside, there are cave paintings of more than 9,000 years old. A guided visit can be hired all year round.

Make sure you check the forecast beforehand, since the park can close due to bad weather. Find more information about the Cueva de las Manos here, a must-see attraction.

Heading north along National Route 40, the Pinturas Canyon Gate invites you to discover a private reserve with free access.

With majestic rock walls of up to 300 metres, deep canyons, views to the Andean foothills, and the Pinturas River that enlivens the scenery, the self-guided trail network of more than 20 kilometres invites you to explore this wild area of the steppe. There are also various ecotourism offers run by local entrepreneurs.

Heading north along National Route 40, the Pinturas Canyon Gate invites you to discover a private reserve with free access.

With majestic rock walls of up to 300 metres, deep canyons, views to the Andean foothills, and the Pinturas River that enlivens the scenery, the self-guided trail network of more than 20 kilometres invites you to explore this wild area of the steppe. There are also various ecotourism offers run by local entrepreneurs.

It is one of the entrance gates to the north of Southern Patagonia and Santa Cruz’s Archaeological Capital. In the Carlos Gradin Archaeology Museum, you can see an archaeological sample of the Pinturas River Basin and the occupation of the first hunter-gatherers, who were in the area 10,000 years ago. The city has accommodation options, gastronomy offers, and services.

To the west, along Provincial Route 43, you will reach the La Ascensión Area in the Patagonia National Park. An old wool ranch, one of the most important in the region, was set here. Today, its facilities have been recycled and restructured: there is a visitor centre, a cultural centre, huts, public toilets, craft workshops, and more.

Apart from visiting its historic centre, there are different trekking trails that get to the beaches of Buenos Aires Lake and La Meseta, through the El Rincón area. There are also car paths that reach viewpoints, hills, and lagoons.

To the west, along Provincial Route 43, you will reach the La Ascensión Area in the Patagonia National Park. An old wool ranch, one of the most important in the region, was set here. Today, its facilities have been recycled and restructured: there is a visitor centre, a cultural centre, huts, public toilets, craft workshops, and more.

Apart from visiting its historic centre, there are different trekking trails that get to the beaches of Buenos Aires Lake and La Meseta, through the El Rincón area. There are also car paths that reach viewpoints, hills, and lagoons.

End of the tour.