Coronel Felipe Varela: Nature, Trails and Culture

Coronel Felipe Varela brings together nature destinations, cultural sites, craft traditions and historical connections. When planning your trip, you can focus on different themes: rock landscapes and nature watching, trails through vineyards and orchards, or the history of weaving and the independence movement.

Nature and Landscapes in Coronel Felipe Varela

Talampaya National Park protects more than 213,000 hectares of the Monte de Sierras y Bolsones ecoregion. It lies in the center of La Rioja Province, between the departments of Coronel Felipe Varela and Independencia, along National Route 76. The park is therefore part of a vast landscape within the province.

Cañón de Anchumbil is a natural attraction known for its enormous, striking reddish rock formations. Visitors can enjoy recreational activities there and observe and learn about the native flora and fauna. Cañón del Triásico is located in the Banda Florida Municipal Reserve. The Embalse Lateral de Villa Unión also serves a specific purpose for visitors: it is now used for walks and fishing.

Trails, Views and Activities

The “Pagancillo Viejo” circuit passes through vineyards, orchards and native vegetation, as well as by old buildings. You can explore it on foot or on horseback with local guides from “Tranco Manso.” Check whether a guided tour is available before your trip.

Mirador La Loma in Villa Unión is reached by climbing more than 136 steps and offers panoramic views of the city. The route and viewpoint each offer a different experience: Pagancillo Viejo takes you through a varied landscape, while La Loma looks out over Villa Unión.

Weaving and Historical Connections

The Unay Cooperative preserves traditional Criollo weaving techniques using a Palo-Plantado loom, as well as dyeing with natural products. In Santa Clara stands the Casona de los Fajardo, a house more than 100 years old where traditional Criollo weaving on a Palo-Plantado loom is preserved. For several generations, the Fajardo family has maintained weaving and dyeing techniques of Indigenous origin.

In Guandacol, the Casa de Felipe Varela is an issuing office and stamping point for the Pasaporte Nacional Sanmartiniano in the General Felipe Varela Department. Guandacol is also where visitors can get a stamp for “Paso de Comecaballos,” the 48th stage destination in the “Caminos de Libertad” program. This destination is connected to one of the six Andean passes used by Zelada and Dávila’s 1817 Expedición Auxiliadora.

La Rioja as a Broader Travel Destination

In the broader travel destination of La Rioja, Talampaya National Park is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Its red sandstone cliffs reach heights of up to 200 meters. Laguna Brava Provincial Reserve is a Ramsar wetland in the Andes of La Rioja Province, near the Chilean border.

Cuesta de Miranda is another highlight of the region’s landscape: it is a 114-kilometer stretch of Route 40 connecting Chilecito and General Felipe Varela. Viewpoints offer opportunities to observe geological features, flora and fauna. Guided tours in El Chiflón Provincial Park include the geological formation El Hongo.

Other regional offerings bring together archaeology and culture. The Tamberia del Inca Interpretation Center offers guided tours of the archaeological site. At Hualco, interpretive hikes follow trails that connect landscape, archaeology and cultural heritage. The Iglesia Catedral San Nicolás de Bari combines Byzantine, Gothic and Italian Baroque architectural styles; its cathedral museum houses liturgical and historical objects. The Museum of Anthropological and Natural Sciences at the National University of La Rioja offers free tours to the general public and also welcomes school groups.

Discover more destinations: Banda Florida, Famatina Department, Capital Department, Rosario Vera Peñaloza Department, Coronel Felipe Varela, Chilecito Department, General Lamadrid Department, General Juan Facundo Quiroga Department.

For the broader travel overview: La Rioja.