Loncopué Department: Nature, Culture and the Ruta del Pehuén

Loncopué Department offers a range of options to consider when planning your trip: the local culture of Loncopué, its place on the Ruta del Pehuén, and the landscapes around Riscos Bayos and Chenque Pehuén. When looking for a hotel, it is worth matching your priorities with the specific location of the accommodation. Loncopué itself lies on the banks of the Río Agrio.

Rocky Landscapes and Natural Attractions

At Riscos Bayos, unusual limestone formations shape the landscape; rain and wind have eroded them. The “Altas Torres” formations are arranged in a circle. Their arrangement was created by wind erosion over time.

Riscos Bayos is also home to a relict population of Andean cypress (Austrocedrus chilensis) with a distinctive gene pool. A nature conservation assessment from 2024 highlights these features. Visitor information dated February 16, 2026, states that you can drive to the nearby area. From there, a trekking trail leads to natural columns, pillars and pinnacles. The round trip is about 10 kilometers and is considered easy.

Chenque Pehuén offers a different kind of landscape: this natural area combines Pehuén forests with unusual basalt formations and is about 30 kilometers from Loncopué. Cueva del Balcón (CNCN Q251) is located in Loncopué Department, in the Riscos Bayos area, about 15 kilometers from the town of the same name.

Loncopué and the Ruta del Pehuén

Loncopué is part of the Ruta del Pehuén, with Loncopué and Las Lajas serving as stopover towns. The main access roads to Loncopué include National Routes 22 and 40 and Provincial Routes 23, 13, 21 and 26. Check current road conditions before setting out.

In Loncopué, local cultural heritage is another focus alongside the landscape. The historic Nuestra Señora del Pilar Chapel is in town. Stone, leather and wood crafts are traditional in Loncopué and the surrounding area. Artisan Geremías Mardones makes leather goods that reflect Loncopué’s rural traditions.

The Muestra Ganadera y Fiesta Tradicional takes place every March. It showcases livestock production as well as music, dance and crafts. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the current events calendar and program. The Fiesta del Caballo in Loncopué is listed as a provincial festival held in January.

Fishing is also among the activities described for the municipality: rainbow trout are caught in the Río Agrio and its tributaries, Codihue, Hualcupén, Yumu Yumu and Loncopué.

Getting There and Choosing a Hotel

Aeródromo de Loncopué is not served by regular commercial flights, but it can accommodate cargo, medical and charter flights. For road travel, the access routes mentioned above can serve as a guide; check their conditions before departure.

When choosing a hotel, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your stay: would you rather explore Loncopué and the Ruta del Pehuén, or visit the natural attractions around Riscos Bayos and Chenque Pehuén? The distances given are from Loncopué, not travel times.

Discover more destinations: Loncopué, Huiliches Department, Lácar Department, Zapala Department, Añelo Department, Los Lagos Department, Pehuenches Department, Minas Department

For the main travel overview: Neuquén.