What to see
City of Salta
This historic city is characterised by having numerous green spaces. The most distinctive one is the emblematic Cerro San Bernardo, located east of the city, a Municipal Natural Reserve rising to a height of 1454 metres. It is a place with a rich biodiversity, ideal for birding. It can be reached by car, by cable car or on foot through the traditional Via Crucis, climbing 1070 steps. You can also enjoy nature in the Parque Natural de la Ciudad and the Parque Bicentenario.
Its colonial-style buildings and streets go hand in hand with several museums that illustrate the region's history. In the Alta Montaña Archaeology Museum you will find the archaeological remains discovered in 1999 at the top of the Llullaillaco volcano: the Lightning Girl, the Boy and the Maiden, three children given to the gods together with some gifts more than five hundred years ago. It is an ideal visit for those who wish to continue touring the must-see sites of the Puna, because it helps to better understand the history and cosmovision of the peoples of the region.
Other museums worth visiting are the Güemes Museum, which teaches about Martin Miguel de Güemes's life, and Explora Salta, which is a museum and cultural centre where visitors can interactively learn about the history of the province.
Yungas de San Lorenzo Municipal Reserve
This 66-hectare reserve, 12 km away from downtown Salta, in the locality of San Lorenzo, shelters the mountain jungle or yungas. It is ideal for bird watching and local fauna.
You can go on several hikes. One of them is the Sendero de los Miradores (low difficulty, about one hour), which allows you to see the differences in the landscape of the yungas as you go up. Another is the Sendero de la Cruz (one and a half hour, low difficulty) which leads to the Cruz del Cerro viewpoint and offers panoramic views of the city. Finally, the North Trail (one hour, low difficulty) and the Elefante Trail (over an hour, low difficulty) are both nice options to walk and enjoy the Salta's yungas.
Quebrada de San Lorenzo
A few kilometres away from the city of Salta and only 3 kilometres away from the Yungas de San Lorenzo Municipal Reserve, you will find the Quebrada de San Lorenzo, an amazing spot for adventure and ecotourism in the company of qualified guides.
Hiking through this ravine allows you to discover Selva Montana, one of the altitudinal zones of the Yungas. The tour (low difficulty, three hours approx.) goes up through paths that border the river, where you will see different panoramic views of the city. For experienced hikers, it is possible to do a seven-hour trek up the San Lorenzo hill, which allows you to see the eastern mountain range and the Lerma Valley until reaching an altitude of 2400 metres above sea level.
It is also possible to visit the Finca Las Costas Nature Reserve on foot, on horseback or by bike, while enjoying the landscape and its typical adobe houses. Besides, you can taste some typical local dishes.
Cabra Corral Dam and Juramento River
Only 95 kilometres away from the city of Salta, past the locality of Coronel Moldes, you will find the Cabra Corral Dam (aka General Belgrano Dam). It is a beautiful lake surrounded by green mountains where you can practise bungee jumping, water-skiing, kayaking, and rappelling. You can also go on catamaran boat rides. This is an ideal place for fishing, with the pejerrey (Argentinian Silverside) being one of the most sought after species.
The Juramento River begins in this dam, where you can enjoy experiences such as rafting, kayaking and sport fishing. You will also be able to see condors!
On the way to the dam lies the town of Rosario de Lerma, famous for its traditions, culture, and history. You can also hike and cycle in the surroundings. Other towns worth visiting are El Carril and Chicoana, where you can stop to appreciate the gaucho culture.
Camino de Cornisa Scenic Route
The National Route 9, also known as the scenic route “Camino de Cornisa” (Corniche), is an interesting alternative to go from the city of Salta to San Salvador de Jujuy. It is a good option for those who have time to travel a winding road, surrounded by exuberant vegetation. This is a paved road, but it is very narrow and has no hard shoulder, so it is best to drive slowly and during the daytime.
One place that can be visited on this route is the town of La Caldera. Walking along one of its trails you can reach the Cerro de la Cruz with beautiful views of the town, the valley, and the Campo Alegre Dam. You can go sailing or fishing in this dam, located 5 kilometres away from La Caldera.
