North West Cordoba

Sub-Divisions: Calamuchita | Mar Chiquita | The North-West | The North | Paravachasca | Punilla | Sierras Chicas | Sierras del Sur |Traslasierra

Landscapes that vary from the plain to the mountain, from the salt mines to the forest…
The influence of history and mountain and rural tradition…

This is an area of great geographical contrasts; from the Salinas Grandes (salt mines) in the north and the plains in the north-west to the Sierra and Pampa de Pocho with its volcanoes and the Túneles that go down towards the west plains. This geographical variety allows the discovery of completely different environments, each with its own identity. There, is San Marcos Sierra with its unique atmosphere quality, Cruz del Eje and its great Embalse (reservoir), the Sierra de Guasapampa and the archaeological site of Charquina, the old bismuthine mines, Pocho with the unique combination of its pampa, volcanoes, lagoon and palm tree groves, the magnificent Tunnels and the Natural Reserve of Chancaní with its dense quebracho groves. In addition to this rich natural heritage, there are important cultural attractions such as the pictographs of Charquina, a number of chapels from the XVIII century (San Marcos Sierras, Salsacate, Pocho, Las Palmas) and the outstanding Jesuit Ranch of La Candelaria.
The honey from San Marcos Sierra and the traditional cuisine, in combination with the typical hospitality of traditional environments are awaiting the tourist who visits the area in search for different circuits and experiences.The route of Los Gigantes which borders the mountains with the same name, and the route of Los Túneles with their spectacular panoramic views, add adventure and excitement to this proposal.

Nature, culture and history associate to create environments of great attraction and strong impact on the tourist who enters the unique adventure offered in the north-west.&texto_info=This is an area of great geographical contrasts; from the Salinas Grandes (salt mines) in the north and the plains in the north-west to the Sierra and Pampa de Pocho with its volcanoes and the Túneles that go down towards the west plains. This geographical variety allows the discovery of completely different environments, each with its own identity.

Cruz del Eje Dam: (1940—1943) Its crown is 3,080 metres long; it is 4 metres deep and it covers a surface area of 1,327 hectares. It offers excellent possibilities for fishing and practising water sports.

Toco-Toco: Old house settlement, today a neighbourhood of the city of Cruz del Eje, where centennial houses can still be found.

Pichanas Dam: It was built between the years 1966 and 1978 for irrigation and floods mitigation. The reservoir covers an area of 440 hectares and it is 53.30 metres deep. It is ideal for fishing and water activities.

La Candelaria Jesuit Estancia: (1693) The UNESCO has declared it part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The chapel walls are made of stone and mud, to which buttresses have been attached to prevent cracks. It has a carving of the Virgen de la Candelaria, a polychrome wooden side chapel and old images.

Cerro Los Gigantes: It is 2,374 metres high. Its geomorphologic configuration allows every type of climbing (except ice climbing) and it is intensely used by mountain climbers. There are many shelters near its summit.

The Pocho Range: It is constituted by the Pampa de Pocho where the lagoon of briny waters with the same name is located and, to the Northwest, by a series of inactive volcanoes (maximum elevation 1,740 mts.) This is one of the most peculiar places of the province.

Las Palmas Chapel: (1689—1736) Even though it was made of raw adobe and with simple lines, it is rich in images and ornaments. It still keeps today its patron saint, Nuestra Sra. del Rosario.

Los Túneles – Cuesta Chancani: Stretch of national road N° 28 that runs parallel to the deep ravine Quebrada de la Mermela. The road descends through five tunnels built in the year 1930, offering a spectacular view of the plains of La Rioja province. The Natural Park Forest Reserve “Chancaní” is located in this sector.

Pocho Chapel: (1766) Its appearance is similar to the chapels of the La Rioja and Catamarca provinces. It has a square tower; the altar is made of masonry and it bears two old images, one of which is a beautiful wooden carved image of Christ.

Villa Cura Brochero: It still has evidence of the actions of the “Gaucho” priest José Gabriel Brochero (1940—1914): the retreat house, today a museum, the Church, the “chiflón” (aqueduct) and the “toma” (containment wall) can be visited. The Panaholma river offers wide sandy shores and warm waters. Further North, but not too far away, there is the chapel bearing the same name built in the XVIII century.

Pampa de Achala: It is a very old formation (3,450 million years old) with a very fragile sedimentary cover; its weather conditions are characterised by marked differences in temperature. The old road with hanging bridges, which can still be used, was replaced by a wide road with soft slopes which makes the drive a fascinating journey. The new Condoritos National Park is located in this area.

Mina Clavero River: The fame of its waters can be traced to 100 years ago when the water was carried by mules to Córdoba and people went to the region during their holidays due to the therapeutic powers the waters were believed to have. They have been compared to the waters of the thermal spa of Evián (France).

Rocsen Museum: This is a private museum. Its name means “Holy rock”. It has over 5,000 pieces of archaeological, entomological, anthropological, ethnological, and historical value.

Cerro Champaqui: It is the highest peak of the Córdoba mountain range system (2,790 metres). It is part of the mountain range known as Sierra de Comechingones.

Ingeniero Antonio Medina Allende Dam: (1939—1944) It is also known by its old name “La Viña”. Its containment wall of 107 metres high, is the highest in the country. It covers a surface area of 1,050 hectares where visitors can fish and practice water sports.

San Javier Valley: Various small villages at the foot of the Champaqui are part of this fertile valley. Its excellent lands are cultivated with diverse crops and there exists an old and significant vineyard. Its native pottery, home-made jams and dried fruits are highly sought.