What to do in Merlo on winter holidays: 5 unmissable activities

When we think of Merlo we immediately associate with clean air, mountains and streams. In the northeast of the province of San Luis, Villa de Merlo It is a good destination for these winter holidays due to its complete tourist infrastructure in a natural environment with waterfalls and trails scented by the herbs of the Sierras de los Comechingones.

Located on the border with the Traslasierra Valley of Córdoba and known for its microclimateMerlo offers a wide variety of adventure activities and more relaxed options, highlighting the good gastronomy with regional products.

For example, him goat to the flames or to the stake It is one of the most representative dishes, accompanied by empanadas and pasta stuffed with goat meat.

The city also has craft beers and organic winesand a large number of traditional tea houses that serve delicious homemade pastries and bakeries, reaffirming Merlo as the headquarters of the National Sweetness Festival.

For those traveling to this area of ​​the country during the next school break, here are 5 activities to keep in mind.

A few minutes from the center of Merlo there are several low difficulty trails to take pleasant walks. But of course, the most adventurous also have most demanding trekking circuits leading to panoramic points.

He Tobacco Jump It is one of the most visited waterfalls, in the El Molino ravine. It is an 18-meter waterfall in a place where you can observe native species of flora and fauna. The walk has a medium to high difficulty, with an extension of 6 km and a duration of 4 hours round trip.

In the hills, you can also explore the Mogote Bayo Provincial Reservewith trails of different difficulties and viewpoints with spectacular views.

Two recommended routes are the circuit of Golden Hillknown for its crafts and the Planetarium, and the Bad Steps circuitwhich gained fame for its waterfalls and, especially, for the No Tire Godoy restaurant.

Almost at the end of the paved road to Pasos Malos is the sign indicating access along a dirt road to the Indian Head Viewpoint: There is a restaurant built with logs and a patio to eat.

While the Peñón Colorado Viewpoint It has views of the Arroyo del Tigre area and the entire Conlara Valley, the Tala Caído Viewpoint It offers a panoramic view of the Conlara Valley, with the “Villa de Merlo” sign where travelers often take souvenir photos.

Merlo also has bike paths and organizes guided outings on electric bicycles and mountain bikes, allowing the observation of flora and fauna, with more than 200 species of birds.

In all cases of trekking and/or bicycles, it is recommended to go with a guide who knows the place well.

The Yucat Theme Park recreates the life of the first inhabitants of the Conlara Valley before the arrival of the Spanish.

It is located between Merlo and Carpintería, and there travelers can explore 20 full-scale scenes of the life of the Comechingones around the year 1550including replicas of their homes and a Spanish fort.

The park is designed for the entire family, so visitors will find visual riddles to play. In addition, they will be able to enter the “comechingones houses”, grind corn in stone mortars, see a Spanish fort of the time and practice target shooting with a bow and arrow.

The circuit is self-guided and everyone walks along the paths reading the signs. In turn, each poster has an audio guide in Spanish that can be listened to with your cell phone by scanning a QR code with a total duration of 50 minutes.

Every hour, a guide explains about the life and history of the Comechingones and shows the technique used to grind corn.

Admission costs $7,000 per person; minors between 5 and 12, $6,000.

About 1,200 years old, the Algarrobo Abuelo is an imposing tree declared a Historical Monument in the Piedra Blanca area below.

On a 4-hectare property, it has not only witnessed the history of Merlo, but is a survivor of the extensive carob forest that covered the entire Conlara Valley until the arrival of the railroad at the beginning of the 20th century.

It was known as “El Algarrobo de los Agüero” because it belonged to a traditional local family, who settled there more than 200 years ago. One of his descendants was the poet Antonio Esteban Agüero, who dedicated the poem “Cantata del Abuelo Algarrobo” to him.

The historic property is managed by the “Fundación Capitán de Pájaros” and can be entered every day from 9:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Admission costs $1,300.

Following the route that goes towards the Florafaunistic Reserve you reach the Sun Viewpointat 1460 meters high, with a beautiful 360° view of the city.

There is craft and stone stalls from the region (quartz, tourmaline, fluorite), and you can hire activities such as trekking and mountain biking.

That journey continues until Serrano threadabout 2200 meters, from where you can see the Conlara Valley and the Cordoba valleys of Calamuchita and Traslasierra.

At the end of this circuit, at the top of the hills, is the confectionery of the Condors Viewpoint and an adventure resort that has options trekking, horseback riding, 1,200 meters of zip line, hanging bridges from 30 to 70 meters high and climbing of more than 15 meters.

It is important to wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers like an onion, since at that height in the mountains it is colder and you need shelter.

One of the most famous activities in this place is the paraglidingand those who do not practice it can enjoy watching those who jump into the abyss and glide between the mountains.

Children and adults want a photo next to the two dinosaurs in the Recreation Park, meters from the artificial lagoon.

In Barranca Coloradahas an approximate area of ​​7 hectares and was created for sports and recreational activities for families.

The entry is free and it has a play space for children with hammocks and slides, space for bicycles and paths for walking or running, enjoying the landscape of the mountains.

In addition, the property has sports fields and a skate and roller track.