Potrerillos: Reservoir and Trails in the Andes

Potrerillos is a town in the Andes, in the Luján de Cuyo Department. The Potrerillos Dam and the surrounding mountains shape the landscape; trails and guided activities offer different ways to explore it. If you’re looking for a hotel in Potrerillos, you can plan your trip around whether you’d like to focus on the views by the water, a hiking trail, or organized tours.

Reservoir, Views, and Protected Area

The Potrerillos Reservoir forms a large body of water and regulates the flow of the Mendoza River; the Potrerillos Dam currently covers about 1,500 hectares. There are three viewpoints at the dam, overlooking the lake, the dam wall, and the surrounding mountains. The shores also offer a place to take in the views: you can walk along the water and look out over the lake and mountains. Viewpoints and a walk along the shore therefore offer two different ways to experience the landscape. Another geographic feature is the Potrerillos Municipal Protected Environmental Area. This municipal multiple-use protected area consists of three sectors connected by the Mendoza River’s biological, economic, and cultural corridor. The Mendoza River thus shapes both the reservoir’s function and the connection between the protected-area sectors.

Cerro Cocodrilo Trail

The trailhead for the Cerro Cocodrilo Trail is 350 meters from Potrerillos Plaza and the Civic Center. The trail is 2.5 kilometers long and offers views of the Mendoza River, the Cordón del Plata, and the Potrerillos Dam. Along the way, you can observe native plants typical of the Mendoza region, and there are also opportunities to spot local birds. The two distances refer to different things: 350 meters is the distance from the trailhead to the landmarks mentioned, while 2.5 kilometers is the length of the trail. This distinction helps you tell the starting point apart from the trail itself, while the opportunities to observe plants and birds add a nature-focused element to the outing.

Guided Tours and Other Activities

Guided kayak and stand-up paddle tours are available at the Potrerillos Dam, and each lasts two hours. The shared duration makes it easy to compare the time commitment for the two options; you can choose between kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding. Check in advance whether these tours are available on your travel dates. A guided mountain biking tour goes through Villa Potrerillos to the lakeside area and on to the entrance of the tunnel connecting Potrerillos and Cacheuta. Rafting, canopy, trekking, and horseback riding are also offered in Potrerillos, at the foot of the Cordón del Plata. You can therefore choose between water-based tours, a guided cycling route, and other activities at the foot of the mountains.

Getting to Potrerillos

Potrerillos is accessible by regular public transport services that depart from the bus terminal. If traveling by car, you can reach the town via international Route 7, which connects Argentina with Chile, or via Route 82. This gives you two road options as well as public transport to consider when planning your trip. If you plan to take the bus, check the schedule before departure. Along with your planned activities, your choice of transport can help you structure your stay in Potrerillos.

Discover more destinations: Los Árboles, Las Lenas, Tunuyán, La Consulta, Villa Nueva, Uspallata

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