El Maitén: Railway Heritage and Landscapes
Accommodation in El Maitén
El Maitén combines railway history with viewpoints, marked trails and landscapes of valleys, rivers and low mountain ranges. If you are choosing a destination for your stay, you’ll find several options here: a train ride on La Trochita, trekking on Cerro de la Cruz, or views of the landscape along the Río Chubut.
Valley, River and Viewpoints
El Maitén lies in a broad valley of glacial origin, crossed by the Río Chubut. Low mountain ranges surround the valley. From the top of Cerro de la Cruz, you can enjoy panoramic views of El Maitén; the mountain is a trekking destination. The ascent from the “Grutita” is marked by trails and signs related to the Stations of the Cross. The signage is therefore part of the character of this described route.
Cerro La Cruz is 1,377 meters high. From its two viewpoints, you can observe the contrast between Andean forest and steppe. Another distinctive landform is the Bella Durmiente rock formation: it resembles a woman at rest and is considered a typical image of El Maitén.
Nearby is the entrance to the Cañadón in Aldea Escolar Buenos Aires Chico, five kilometers from El Maitén. A clear stream flows through the gorge among lengas, coihues, ñires and cypress trees. Visitors can enjoy water sports on the Río Chubut and fish for rainbow trout and salmon. Alongside views of the valley, the river and gorge are also distinct landscape highlights.
La Trochita: Railway and Train Ride
El Maitén is home to the workshops and railway museum of the Viejo Expreso Patagónico – La Trochita. Locomotives and cars are preserved there; maintenance work is carried out in the workshops, and replacement parts are custom-made. The “Grutita” also features several railway details typical of El Maitén.
A train ride runs from El Maitén station to the Ingeniero Bruno Thomae stop and back. The journey takes two and a half hours. There is a guide on board, as well as a dining car serving coffee and homemade pastries. Departure frequency varies by season, so check current departures before your trip. The duration also gives you a concrete indication of how much time to allow for this train ride.
National Steam Train Festival
The Fiesta Nacional del Tren a Vapor has been held in El Maitén every February since 1983. The festival includes a food promenade and live performances. The February event is therefore distinct from the train ride, which is listed as lasting two and a half hours. If you want to plan your trip around the festival, check the current event dates in advance.
Other Places in the Cushamen Department
The Cushamen Department also offers regional points of reference, with destinations in other towns. The Piedra Parada Protected Natural Area covers 132 hectares of Patagonian steppe and lies between the Languiñeo and Cushamen Departments. In Epuyén, Lago Epuyén is the main attraction; it is located within Parque Municipal Puerto Bonito and the Lago Epuyén Multiple-Use Forest Reserve. In El Hoyo, Laberinto Patagonia offers paths totaling 2,200 meters and nine entrances. Its five hectares of parkland and native forest provide space for a day visit and a walk through the maze to its center and exit. These regional examples complement the picture of El Maitén, whose own landscapes and railway heritage are the focus of this destination.
Discover more destinations: Leleque, Hoyo De Epuyén, Golondrinas, Gualjaina, Epuyén, Lago Puelo.
Return to the regional travel overview: Cushamen Department.
