Pocho: Nature, Volcano Views and Chapels

Pocho brings together protected areas, a trekking route with scenic views, historic chapels and regional cuisine. If you’re looking for a hotel in Pocho, it helps to first decide which themes will shape your trip. That way, you can tailor your stay to your interests—whether they lie in landscapes and nature, culture or a summer visit to the river.

Protected Areas and Landscape

Parque Nacional Traslasierra is located in the Departments of Minas and Pocho. Within the wider Córdoba destination, the national park protects 44,000 hectares of Chaco Árido and serrano Chaco forest habitats. Protected animals include one of the last guanaco populations in Córdoba Province, lampalagua snakes and other snake species.

Parque Provincial y Reserva Forestal Natural Chancaní, which covers around 5,000 hectares, is also located in the Department of Pocho. Reserva Natural Chancaní preserves one of the most significant remaining areas of Chaco forest. These protected areas give the landscape a strong connection to nature, without reducing the different areas to a single image.

Trekking at Volcán Ciénaga

From the summit of Volcán Ciénaga, views stretch across Pampa de Pocho, Laguna de Pocho and Arroyo Cachimayo. A low-difficulty trekking route leads to the volcano: you reach the base in a private vehicle, then continue with a hike of about an hour and a half. The tour description dates from 2024; confirm access information locally in advance.

Parque Nacional Traslasierra also offers visitor facilities: a visitor reception center, a picnic area for day use and two easily accessible trails. As operating details may change, check the latest visitor information before your visit. In the wider Córdoba destination, the national park is also located on the grounds of the former Estancia Pinas. There, you can find remains of the Comechingón culture and the ruins of a 19th-century chapel.

Chapels and Historic Sites

The Circuito de Capillas Pochanas includes chapels from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries scattered throughout the Department of Pocho. These include Capilla Nuestra Señora de las Palmas, Capilla de Pocho, Capilla de Sagrada Familia and Parroquia Nuestra Señora del Rosario. Spanning three centuries, the chapels offer a different perspective on Pocho from its natural areas and hiking opportunities. The chapels named here also give the route specific places and names.

Regional Cuisine and Summer on the Río Jaime

The Ruta Gastronómica de los Sabores de Pocho connects Salsacate, Las Palmas, Los Talares, Villa de Pocho, Tala Cañada, San Gerónimo and Chancaní. It was created so visitors can explore the landscapes and sample a variety of regional flavors. Participating establishments may change, so check in advance which ones are available for your trip.

In summer, the Balneario and Costanera along the Río Jaime in Salsacate are inviting places to cool off. This seasonal connection may be important when planning your trip: if you plan to spend time by the river, keep the summer season in mind while also considering your other travel interests.

If you’re planning a trip around Volcán Ciénaga, you’ll need a private vehicle to reach the base, followed by a hike; for a cultural or culinary trip, the focus is instead on the chapels or the towns along the gastronomic route.

Discover more destinations: Taninga, Cruz del Eje Department, Punilla Department, Marcos Juárez Department, San Alberto Department, Punilla, Santa María Department, Cruz Del Eje Department.

For the broader travel overview: Córdoba.