El Mollar: Menhirs, crafts and activities by the water

El Mollar combines archaeological heritage with a craft trail, paths and activities at Dique La Angostura. When looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: are you mainly interested in the monoliths and the Capilla de la Virgen de Covadonga, activities on the water, or the named routes? These distinctions offer practical guidance for planning your trip, since culture, crafts and outdoor activities each appeal to different interests.

Archaeology and the chapel

The Reserva Arqueológica Los Menhires in El Mollar is an open-air museum with more than 50 stone monoliths. Human and animal faces are engraved on the stones. The inhabitants of the Tafí Valley worked on the Los Menhires monoliths more than 2,000 years ago. The engraved motifs make their design tangible, while their age provides a historical context.

Another cultural landmark is the Capilla de la Virgen de Covadonga. It is located in El Mollar and was built using materials from the surrounding area. Compared with the menhirs, the focus here is on the building and the materials used. The monoliths, by contrast, draw attention to the stone and its engravings. Including cultural sites in your trip plans lets you distinguish between these two different perspectives on the area’s cultural offerings.

Dique La Angostura: water sports and fishing

Dique La Angostura reveals another side of El Mollar: its mountain-framed waters are used for windsurfing. Kayak trips are offered on the Dique in El Mollar. Sport fishing is also possible there, especially for pejerrey and trout; the regulations may vary seasonally. The distinctions are practical for planning: windsurfing and kayaking are water sports, while sport fishing also requires you to take seasonal regulations into account. Check the seasonal regulations before fishing.

Crafts and paths

The Ruta del Artesano is a self-guided tour of El Mollar’s craft workshops. Visitors can learn about traditional craft techniques along the way. The format combines a tour of the workshops with the opportunity to learn about craft techniques. The route thus complements the archaeological themes with a different cultural focus.

The Sendero Cascada Los Alisos starts in El Mollar and ends at Cascada Los Alisos. The Sendero El Mollar–Tafí del Valle, by contrast, is rated moderate to difficult and recommended for experienced cyclists. The two routes can be distinguished by different criteria: for Cascada Los Alisos, the starting point and destination are specified, while for the cycling route, the difficulty level and recommendation for experienced cyclists are the focus.

For the wider travel overview: Departamento Tafí Del Valle.