Sierra Colorada offers several interesting hiking and trekking options, particularly in the mountain area near San Francisco and along Provincial Route 4.

Some recorded routes include:

• Cerro Colorado + Cerro El Peñón: 13.3 km, about 1,059 m of elevation gain, maximum elevation around 1,975 m, and roughly 5½ hours of moving time. Moderate difficulty, with steep and rocky sections.
• Sierra Colorada mountain huts (puestos): 10.6 km, 816 m of elevation gain, reaching about 1,799 m. Around 5 hours of hiking. The terrain can be rough, with thorny vegetation and poorly defined trails.
• Cerro Comedero Negro: A shorter alternative, starting around km 26 of RP 4. Water is not reliably available, so hikers should carry sufficient water.
• Puesto El Vizcote: Approximately 12.3 km and 915 m of elevation gain, reaching nearly 1,983 m. Considered difficult, with steep slopes, narrow ridges, and technical terrain.

⚠️ Important: Many routes in Sierra Colorada are exploratory rather than well-marked trails. Trails can be indistinct, and there may be fences, dense vegetation, rocky terrain, and limited water. For a first visit, it is advisable to go with someone familiar with the area and download the GPS track beforehand.

Sierra Colorada Overview

Sierra Colorada is a striking geological and geographical feature located in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. Known for its distinct reddish mountain ranges, arid high-altitude landscapes, and remote beauty, it sits within the rugged topography of the Andean foothills and Puna region.

• Geographical Context: Situated in Catamarca Province, an area celebrated for its dramatic high-altitude deserts, salt flats, and volcanic peaks.

• Etymology & Appearance: The name Sierra Colorada translates directly to "Red Range," describing the characteristic iron-rich, reddish-brown hues of the rock formations and soils.

• Regional Access: Typically accessed via unpaved regional routes traversing the scenic, sparsely populated expanses characteristic of northwestern Argentina.

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The province of Buenos Aires has a really extensive territory compared to the other provinces of the country. With more than 185 square miles, this province has many towns and places to visit. However, the largest number of people are concentrated in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, the most important urban center in the country. As we live in this province, perhaps we do not consider it to "go on a trip", with the exception of the coast with a beach in the summer, but lately I started to investigate what interesting destinations there are around here and I found Sierra de la Ventana ❤️.

Despite being so large, the province of Buenos Aires is mainly flat, with only two somewhat mountainous sites: Tandil, which I told you about in my first travel post here in Hive, and Sierra de La Ventana. I always like to discover new destinations, so last month I got the idea that I should go to these mountains to see what they were like .

I had told my friend Sofia that it would be a great idea to go and explore unfamiliar territory, and as always, she joined the plan. In the first place we had planned to get there by train, but then my cousin suggested that he wanted to go somewhere so we merged ideas and ended up all of us riding in his truck with two more aunts. This was great since a private vehicle was very comfortable and we were able to make several stops before reaching our main destination in the mountains .

In total, it took us almost 12 hours to get from home to Sierra de la Ventana. In between we made stops at Laguna de San Miguel del Monte and in the city of Azul to see the cemetery with the sculpture of Salamone and the Cathedral of Nuestra Señora del Rosario . We arrived somewhat exhausted, so that day we rested in the accommodation we rented and the next day early we went to tour the place.

_{Source: Screenshoot from Google Maps}

Luckily the day was beautiful. We took the opportunity to go for a few laps and we visited the train station. Unfortunately, this service is not currently available, so my friend and I were going to go on the train to a previous town 38 miles away and then take a bus. Luckily none of that happened and we were able to get more comfortable by car .

It is tradition to go to the train station and take pictures of yourself on the tracks. As the train does not run, you can go with complete peace of mind, just being careful not to trip over the rails .

Passing through the tracks there is a really picturesque iron tunnel. I think that with the rust produced by the passage of time, it ended up blending in with the surrounding landscape ❤️.

Crossing the tunnel you can already see the mountains in the distance. These are low rock formations compared to those that can be seen in other really mountainous provinces such as Córdoba, but the fact that they are in this province makes them really special ❤️.

Around the train station, the whole area is made of trees and there is a small river with stones where you can sit for the day or have a lunch. There are also some shops, but the largest concentration of them is a few blocks away.

Can you see that little man in the middle of the photo? Well, he is a complete stranger who when he saw that I was taking photos he beckoned me to take one of him. I went on my way and he went back to doing what he was doing, so he could never see this picture of him. Surely he will not even imagine that it now appears on my international blog .

Taking this trip was something wonderful: seeing my wish materialized is something that filled me with joy. Much of all that was possible to Hive and the freedom it gives me to take my work anywhere. I'm very grateful for that and for everyone who supports my posts on a daily basis. I'm happy ❤️.

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Campo Hermoso in Las Juntas, Catamarca, is a scenic hiking destination with trails ranging from easy riverside walks to moderate mountain loops, offering waterfalls, pine forests, and panoramic views of the Ambato range. It’s ideal for nature lovers seeking a mix of rivers, valleys, and mountain landscapes in northwestern Argentina.

Hiking Highlights in Campo Hermoso – Las Juntas

• Campo Hermoso Trail

  • Distance: 5.6 km

  • Elevation: Max 2,265 m

  • Difficulty: Easy

  • Duration: ~2h 30m

  • Features: River crossings, waterfalls, panoramic viewpoints.

• Las Juntas Loop

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  • Distance: 9.5 miles (15 km)

  • Elevation gain: 2,940 ft (896 m)

  • Difficulty: Moderate

  • Duration: ~9h (moving time ~4h 30m)

  • Features: Pine forests, mountain ridges, varied terrain.

• Los Pinos – Los Comederos Route

• Distance: 15.4 km

• Elevation gain: 1,186 m

• Difficulty: Moderate

• Duration: ~6h 30m

• Features: Circular route with forested sections and high-altitude viewpoints.

Visual Impressions

Here are some images that capture the landscapes of Campo Hermoso and Las Juntas:

Practical Tips

• Best season: Spring and autumn (mild temperatures, clear skies).

• Access: Las Juntas is located in Ambato Department, ~40 km from San Fernando del Valle de Catamarca.

• Gear: Hiking shoes, water, sun protection, and GPS track (available on Wikiloc).

• Difficulty levels: Campo Hermoso is suitable for beginners, while the longer loops require moderate fitness.

⚠️ Things to Keep in Mind

• Weather: Sudden changes are common in the Ambato mountains; check forecasts before departure.

• Trail marking: Some routes are poorly marked; GPS or local guides are recommended.

• Safety: Carry enough water and avoid solo hikes in remote sections.

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