Lago Buenos Aires Department: Rock Art, Steppe and History

In Lago Buenos Aires Department, archaeological remains meet vast landscapes and trails in a protected area. When planning your stay, you can focus on different things: at Cueva de las Manos, rock art and early cultural history take center stage, while Reserva Natural Silvestre La Ascensión brings together trekking trails, viewpoints and traces of a former estancia. In Los Antiguos, nature watching and activities on Lago Buenos Aires round out the picture of the region.

Cueva de las Manos and Archaeological Heritage

A 1.5-kilometer footpath leads past rock overhangs, steep walls and a cave at Cueva de las Manos. The depictions include hunting scenes, hand stencils, animals and abstract figures made with mineral pigments; hunters and gatherers created them more than 9,000 years ago. The material remains, landscapes and paintings date back nearly 10,000 years and bear witness to the lives and culture of early Patagonian peoples.

Cueva de las Manos is a National Historic Monument and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. Groups of people used the archaeological complex intermittently over a period of 8,000 years. The Museo de Arqueología Carlos Gradin in Perito Moreno preserves material evidence of the hunters and gatherers who left their traces in the Cueva. The museum also offers VinculArte: an immersive, guided experience with viewing devices for visitors who cannot visit the archaeological site because of limited mobility.

Trekking and Scenery in Reserva La Ascensión

In Reserva Natural Silvestre La Ascensión, an extensive network of trekking trails runs from the shores of Lago Buenos Aires to the ancient rock formation of Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires. The trails cross coirón grasslands, mallines, scrubland and rocky slopes. Along the way are viewpoints, shelters and campsites in the Patagonian steppe.

The ascent to the Meseta leads to the highest part of the protected area and offers a 360-degree view of the Meseta, Lago Buenos Aires, the steppe and the Andes. The Meseta is home to the Macá tobiano; it also protects basalt formations, high-altitude flora, lichens and endemic reptiles. Sendero Cerro Negro offers a different perspective: it crosses rocks smoothed by glaciers during the Ice Age and leads to a summit at 575 meters above sea level, with panoramic views of the protected area and the lake.

Along Sendero Cerro de la Calle, the rock walls of Cenozoic teschenite from the Los Antiguos Formation stand out. The trail offers panoramic views and passes nesting sites for condors and eagles. Those interested in waterbirds can observe various local species along Sendero Laguna COA. Sendero Roca Guacha crosses the steppe, passing mallines and old molle trees on the way to a distinctive rock outcrop and a viewpoint.

Camping, Picnic Areas and Group Activities

Área Caburé offers picnic and camping facilities, including fire pits, barbecue grills, running water, restrooms and spaces for motorhomes. There are two campgrounds in the La Ascensión sector; the Parque Nacional Patagonia area also has a visitor center and shelters. Check current conditions and the availability of these facilities before your trip.

Área El Rincón serves as a rest stop for trekkers on their way to Meseta del Lago Buenos Aires. There is also a former summer grazing post there, which is no longer in use. A clear restriction applies in this area: only camping stoves may be used. Check the current rules before your visit.

Casa Cóndor is intended for organized groups from schools, clubs and other institutions. Its interpretive activities teach visitors about the natural and cultural heritage of the surrounding area; visits can be arranged through the listed contact. In Reserva Natural Silvestre La Ascensión, an authorized provider also offers a range of horseback rides with authorized guides. Provider information may change, so it is best to check before making plans.

The History of Estancia La Ascensión

The former Estancia La Ascensión was founded in 1912 as a sheep farm producing wool and meat. Hundreds of rural workers lived on the estate, shaped by the rural culture and folk traditions of southern Patagonia. The historic trail passes buildings with original façades, the sheep-shearing shed, corrals, agricultural machinery and the Matera. The estate can be visited as part of the history of livestock farming in the region.

The Salón Iturrioz in the associated community also tells the story of the region’s architectural and cultural history. Built in the 1920s, the building was restored and repurposed by Asociación Identidad in 2006. It is recognized as local urban heritage and as a historic monument of the province.

Los Antiguos: Nature and Activities

In Los Antiguos, herons, flamingos and other birds can be observed at Reserva Urbana Laguna de los Juncos. Miradores Uendeunk and Jeinimeini offer views of the valley and Lago Buenos Aires. Activities in the community also include sport fishing, water sports, birdwatching, hiking and trekking. Horseback riding is also available in the area around Lago Buenos Aires.

Tourist orchards growing specialty fruits are open to visitors; cherries are especially popular with residents and visitors. Check the availability of individual orchards before your visit. Perito Moreno can be reached by car via Ruta Nacional 40 and provincial roads 41 and 43.

Discover more destinations: Perito Moreno, Lago Argentino Department, Deseado Department, Río Chico Department, Güer Aike.

Return to the main travel overview: Santa Cruz.