Cushamen Department: Lakes, Steppe and Excursions

The options vary considerably. You can first decide which places and experiences matter most for your trip, then tailor your search accordingly.

Lakes and protected landscapes

Lago Epuyén is Epuyén’s main attraction. It lies within Parque Municipal Puerto Bonito and Reserva Forestal de Usos Múltiples Lago Epuyén. Warm, clear water and an average temperature of 15°C define the lake. These features give this natural destination its own character without limiting it to a single activity.

Piedra Parada also combines a striking landscape with a designated protected area: Área Natural Protegida Piedra Parada covers 132 hectares of Patagonian steppe and lies between the Languiñeo and Cushamen departments. The protected area preserves geological, paleontological and archaeological values and features for research and monitoring, and ensures public access. The area is also suitable for trekking and mountain biking. At the entrance, a three-kilometre trail leads into Cañadón de la Buitrera. This rock pass, sheltered from the wind, is framed by cliffs more than 100 metres high.

Another natural destination is Reserva Provincial Catarata Corbata Blanca. There, an 850-metre trail runs alongside a stream. Compared with the three-kilometre trail into Cañadón de la Buitrera, the stated distance is shorter; however, these figures describe trail lengths only, not difficulty.

Laberinto Patagonia and El Hoyo

In El Hoyo, Laberinto Patagonia offers a different kind of visit. The maze has 2,200 metres of paths and nine entrances. Its five hectares of parkland and native forest offer expansive views and make it possible to spend the day there. The route passes through the maze to its centre and exit. If you would like to combine your visit with a place to eat, there is also a tea house serving local and seasonal products, as well as produce from its own organic garden.

El Hoyo is also a good place to visit farms. Berries are grown and available for tasting there: raspberries, strawberries, cherries, gooseberries, cassis and currants. This connects your stay with farming and regional products, rather than focusing only on landscapes and trails.

A regular event in El Hoyo is Fiesta de la Fruta Fina. It takes place every year on the second weekend of January and was first held in 1986. If you would like to plan your trip around the festival, check the exact dates for the relevant year.

Choose your stay based on what matters most

The towns also offer different points of reference for your search: Epuyén is defined by Lago Epuyén, while El Hoyo is known for Laberinto Patagonia, farm visits and Fiesta de la Fruta Fina. Lago Puelo has a wide range of tourist services, accommodation, dining and excursions.

For a nature-focused trip, the lake in Epuyén and the steppe and rock landscape of Piedra Parada offer different experiences. In El Hoyo, you can consider a visit to the maze, the tea house, the farms and the festival, which takes place at a set time of year, according to your interests. Which of these appeals to you most can therefore be a useful starting point when choosing a hotel in Cushamen Department.

Discover more destinations: Hoyo De Epuyén, Leleque, El Maitén, Lago Puelo, Gualjaina, Golondrinas, Epuyén, Viedma.

Back to the main travel overview: Chubut.