7 destinations in the mountains of Buenos Aires for a getaway

The region of the Buenos Aires mountains It gives a different nuance to the uniform landscape of the humid pampas. Outdoor activities in close contact with nature find an ideal setting in these attractive landscapes.

In addition, the recreational and relaxing proposal incorporates an educational side, through an exciting journey to distant times to the oldest rocks and fossils in the country. The Tandilia system preserves intact these treasures of interest shared by scientists and tourists for 2.2 billion years.

In the Ventana mountain range, visitors can imagine a return to the Paleozoic era, recorded about 480 million years ago.

Here are seven mountain destinations to plan a getaway, when spring keeps its shine on and, little by little, the heat of summer appears.

A 360 kilometers from the city of Buenos AiresTandil offers the widest variety of guided walks and excursions through the Buenos Aires mountains.

To this indisputable supremacy we must add the unmatched quality of its cheeses and salamisthe offer of cabins and hotels of all categories and baptism flights with an instructor that take off from the Aeroclub.

The traditional circuit through the mountains includes the Centinela hills – whose chairlift allows you to reach the top – and La Movediza – where a replica of the enormous rock that fell in 1912 was installed –, the Via Crucis of Monte Calvario and the Moorish Castle of the Parque hill Independencia, which offers the best panoramic view of the city.

10 kilometers from the town center, the Cerro Leones historic site is the epicenter of granite extraction that began in 1880.

Where to stay. Brisas Serranas Cabins: for two people with breakfast, cable TV, wi-fi, grill and two swimming pools, $54,000; for 4, $70,000; for 6, $97,000 (0249- 154369123 / www.brisasserranas.com).

Colinas Serranas Cabins: for 4 people with breakfast, cable TV, wi-fi, games for children, swimming pool, kitchen with dishes and refrigerator, grill, soccer field and covered garage, $68,000 (0249- 154467441 / colisserranas@gmail.com / www.colinasserranas.com.ar).

How much does it cost. Circuit of Tyrolese and Tibetan bridges (2 hrs.) in Valle del Picapedrero for over 7 years with minimum height of 1.40 m., $ 8,000; rock climbing and rappelling (2 hrs. 30′), $14,000; Adventure Circuit for children ages 4 to 11 (2 hrs.), $8,000; Tibetan Combo (2 hrs. 30′), $10,000; guided trekking (3 hrs.), $6,000 (www.valleypedrero.com.ar).

Where to get information. (0249) 451-3255/446-5144/454-8954 / turismo@tandil.gov.ar / www.tandil.tur.ar

Hills, lakes formed in quarries, country houses, historic houses, the Paseo de las Vías and the museums of the Estación, de la Piedra and La Calera 1888 are some attractions to take into account before embarking on the Sierras Bayas Circuitwhich also allows you to appreciate the remains of the oldest Portland cement plant in the country and the silhouettes of the Largo and Matilde Catriel hills.

Added to this unmissable tour are the European pioneer towns -mostly absorbed by mining activity- Colonia Hinojo, Colonia Nievas and Colonia San Miguel, where ancient ancestral traditions are preserved.

Where to stay. Hotel Santa Rosa: double room with breakfast, gym, cable TV, wi-fi and minibar, $42,500; apartment for 4, $53,350 (www.hotelsantarosa.com).

How much does it cost. Excursion guided by Andrea Istillarte through Sierras Bayas and Colonia Hinojo with visit to a tea house and warehouse of regional products (4 hours 30′), $22,000; Villa Fortabat, Sierras Bayas and Colonia San Miguel (6 hours), $33,000; Sierras Bayas, Colonia Hinojo and Sierra Chica (5 hours), $27,500. Option on each outing, visit to the museum and historical site La Calera 1888 (02284- 15479247 / andreaistillarte@gmail.com).

Where to get information. (02284) 480-023 / (02284) 15695796 / turismo@olavarria.gov.ar / www.olavarria.gov.ar

The best place to enjoy the mountain landscape of Azul is the valley where the la Boca de las Sierras Municipal Parador and Natural Reservewhich is reached through the undulating and picturesque route of Route 80, detached from Route 226.

In the area there are many ranches, country warehouses and old train stations. Adventure activities (such as trekking, mountain biking, cycle tourism, rappelling, zip lining and rock climbing) find their best setting in the Peregrino, La Plata, Colorado and Águila hills.

42 kilometers from the city, in the Pablo Acosta area, you can visit the Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles Trappist Monastery.

Where to stay. Hotel Los Tilos: double room with breakfast, garage, cable TV and wi-fi, $21,600; quadruple, $30,000 (www.lostiloshotel.com).

How much does it cost. Three days and two nights in an Azul hotel with half board with bus transfer from Buenos Aires and excursions to Boca de las Sierras, Trappist Monastery and Villa Pardo, $113,000 per person, double or triple basis (www.flordebuenosaires.com.ar ).

Where to get information. (02281) 15472870 / azulesturismo@gmail.com / www.azuldigital.gob.ar .

A strong mining history, around the Loma Negra cement factory – closed since 2019 – flies over Barker and its neighbor Villa Cacique, 60 kilometers from Tandil.

With the debacle of the main activity, these rural towns in the Benito Juárez district began to develop their tourist potential, supported by the raspberry plantations, the surrounding hills – especially the striking cone of Sombrerito, 420 meters high -, the legendary El Cacique drink bar, the Dark Cave and the Dorada and Margarita grottoes, with water springs that emerge from their interior.

Two moments highly anticipated by local residents and tourists are the Provincial Raspberry Festival (in February) and the Provincial Homemade Sweet Festival (in April).

Where to stay. Residencial San José: $7,000 per person per day, with cable TV, wi-fi, kitchen and dishes (0249- 154513456 / 0223- 156822172).

How much does it cost. 250 gr bottle. La Celema artisanal raspberry jam, $2,800; half a kilo, $3,500 (02281- 15660986 / lacelema@hotmail.com.ar).

Where to get information. (02292) 498-400 / (02281) 15573060 / (02281) 15310529 / turismobenitojuarez@gmail.com / www.tur.benitojuarez.gov.ar

The preferences of tourists who come to Balcarce to discover its attractions are divided between the stone mass of the La Barrosa mountain range – 334 meters high – and the Juan Manuel Fangio Automobile Museum.

To reach the viewpoint at the summit you can travel a stretch by vehicle to the middle part of the slope and then continue on foot or by mountain bike along a very narrow path that runs through the vegetation.

It is worth facing the challenge, taking into account that the highest point of La Barrosa offers an unbeatable panoramic view of the city, the Balcarce racetrack, the mountains and the field plots greened by soybean crops.

The first postcards of the natural environment can be seen through tables and benches, deliberately installed halfway to matt and delight the eye.

Another unmissable corner of the mountain range is the El Dorado area, which offers direct access to the Brava lagoon.

Where to stay. Ruca Lauquen cabins and camping, in Laguna Brava: accommodation in a tent with a pool, $7,500 per person; up to 12 years old, $5,000; mobile home or motorhome, $3,000; cabin for 2 with pool, breakfast, DirecTV, wi-fi, microwave, refrigerator, safe, hair dryer and electric coffee maker, $48,000 to $64,000; for 4, $60,000 to $75,000; for 6, $75,000 (www.rucalauquen.com.ar).

How much does it cost. Walk and trekking through the mountains (4 hours) guided by Sandra Castro from Los Pinos (15 km from Balcarce), $5,000 (02266- 15538103).

Where to get information. (02266) 425-758 / (02266) 15430895 / turismobalcarce@gmail.com / www.balcarce.gob.ar

27 kilometers from Mar del Plata along Luro Avenue – which becomes Route 226 -, on the other side of the entrance arch to the tourist town, the Sierra de los Padres shopping center abounds in bars, ice cream parlors, restaurants, confectioneries , craft stores, hotels, cabins, banks and minimarkets.

There the winding path takes off that leads to the highest point of the Sierra de los Difuntos, in the middle of elegant houses that overlook the valley. Near the top, the biggest attraction for thousands of visitors is the Gruta de los Pañuelos, where the faithful tie their wishes in long garlands, tied around an image of the Virgin of Luján.

Another commercial promenade extends at the summit. The most classic circuit can be combined with visits to the Peacock House – populated by more than 300 peacocks, pheasants, deer, rheas and mandarin ducks –, the El Paraíso zoo and a plant labyrinth.

Where to stay. El Granero country hotel: double room with breakfast, kitchen, DirecTV, wi-fi, linen, refrigerator and minibar, $35,000; Superior double, $40,000; triple, $50,000; quadruple, $65,000 (www.granero.com.ar).

How much does it cost. Tandem Adventure paragliding flight with instructor (20′ to 25′), $45,000; mountain trekking, $4,500; climbing (3 hours), $9,500; bicycle excursion, $7,500 (www.tandemaventura.com.ar).

Where to get information. (0223) 495-1777 / informes@turismomardelplata.gob.ar

At the foot of the Ventana hill and its enormous natural perforation – 1,100 meters high –, a handful of villages make up the Sierra de la Ventana Tourist Region.

To get to the maximum natural attraction in the area you have to walk a dirt path, which first offers a relaxed trekking through the forest and, as it ascends the slope of the Tornquist Provincial Parkblurs between gigantic rocks and increases the level of demand.

At the same time, the panoramic view of the valley and the mountains is gaining spectacularity. On the slope the last remnants of Pampas grassland can be detected.

Around, each town makes its contribution to the multifaceted color of the region.

Villa Ventana dazzles with a handmade doll workshop, log cabins, flower gardens and streets transformed into pine tunnels. Villa Serrana La Gruta It is a charming collection of cabins, located in the Abra de la Ventana. They also dazzle Sierra de la Ventana, Villa Arcadia and Saldungaraywith the marks of the architect Salamone in the cemetery and a reconstructed fort.

Where to stay. Cabañas La Felicidad: Junior cabin for 2 with cable TV, wi-fi, dishes, grill, microwave, refrigerator with freezer, covered parking and bedding, $50,000; Semi Señor cabin for 4, $55,000; Señor cabin for 6, $67,000 (www.cabañaslafelicidad.com).

How much does it cost. Guided horseback ride along the banks of the Belisario stream, with views of the Tres Picos and Napostá hills (1 hour), $5,000 (www.cabalgatasbelisario.com.ar).

Where to get information. (0291) 494-0811 / (0291) 154293916 / dttornquist@gmail.com / www.sierrasdelaventana.tur.ar