Calingasta Department: Trails, Viewpoints and Nature

El Leoncito National Park is located in Calingasta Department and covers 89,900 hectares. Its landscape features plains between sierras alongside high plateaus, mountain ridges and small high-altitude oases. These landforms provide the setting for trails, viewpoints and wildlife watching. When planning your day, distance, difficulty level and—where given—approximate duration are useful points of comparison.

Pampa del Leoncito, also known as Barreal Blanco, is a plain in Barreal, in Calingasta Department, 12 kilometers long and 5 kilometers wide. Its two names refer to the same landscape; these measurements give you a concrete sense of its size.

Hiking trails by length and difficulty

The trail to Cascada El Rincón is 500 meters long and has a low difficulty level. It leads from the parking area to a natural viewing terrace overlooking the waterfall. Paisajes de agua is one kilometer long, follows El Leoncito stream and also has a low difficulty level. The trail is suitable for watching wildlife such as guinea pigs, foxes, various bird species and guanacos; pumas may also be spotted. A sighting is not guaranteed.

The La Cantera Geological Trail offers a 4-kilometer route and an additional 6-kilometer option. The 6-kilometer option has a moderate difficulty level; ancient petroglyphs can be found along the trail. The trail to Cerro Leoncito is 8 kilometers long, takes about 3 hours and has a moderate to high difficulty level. At eight kilometers, it is considerably longer than the 500-meter route to Cascada El Rincón or the one-kilometer Paisajes de agua trail. Check trail conditions before your hike.

Viewpoints and wildlife watching

Mirador del Manzanar offers a 360-degree panorama and is next to the historic apple orchard. Mirador del Cesco is located a few meters from the entrance to Observatorio Cesco. It is higher than Mirador del Manzanar and offers a broader view that also includes the observatory.

More than 90 bird species can be observed in El Leoncito National Park. They include the Andean condor, Andean thrush, variable hawk, long-tailed meadowlark, gray-bellied hawk and Darwin's rhea. Together with opportunities to watch other wildlife along El Leoncito stream, this offers a distinct nature-focused experience alongside the hiking trails and viewpoints.

Observatory and outdoor stays

Observatorio Cesco is open for daytime visits Thursday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to noon and from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Night visits are possible with advance reservations through the website. Check the schedule in advance.

The El Jarrillar area is a camping and day-use site. It has barbecue shelters, spaces for motorhomes and tents, hot-water showers, an accessible barbecue area and a ramp to an accessible restroom. Check the facilities and operating conditions before your visit.

Rafting trips of varying difficulty are offered on the Río Los Patos in Barreal, in Calingasta Department. Availability depends on the operators and river conditions.

A broader look at San Juan

In the wider destination of San Juan, Cerro Mercedario is located in Valle de Calingasta. At 6,770 meters, it is considered the fourth-highest mountain in the Americas and can be climbed. The Cordillera de la Ramada range at Cerro Mercedario also includes four other peaks over 6,000 meters: Pico Polaco, La Mesa, La Ramada and Alma Negra. Expeditions to Cerro Mercedario set out from Barreal, where transportation, equipment, provisions and guide services can be booked.

Discover more destinations: Barreal, Caucete Department, Jáchal Department, Albardón Department, Iglesia Department, Valle Fértil Department, Pocito, Santa Lucía.

For the broader travel overview: San Juan.