Natural wonders in Salta Province

Argentina's Natural Wonders

Salta's diverse geography spans from the lush Yungas cloud forests of Baritú National Park to the arid, high-altitude Puna plateau. This region features remarkable geological sites, including the deep red sandstone canyons of Quebrada de las Conchas and the vast Salar de Arizaro salt flat, home to the conical Cono de Arita. Visitors can explore extreme elevations ranging from the 6,739-meter Llullaillaco volcano to the winding mountain passes of Cuesta del Obispo.

Justin Otto / CC BY 2.0

Los Cardones National Park

The Los Cardones National Park is a national park of Argentina, located in the center-west of the province of Salta, within the San Carlos…

Tauchgurke / Public domain

Baritú National Park

The Baritú National Park is a national park in Argentina, located in Santa Victoria Department, in the north of Salta Province, in the…

Lion Hirth (Prissantenbär) / Public domain

Llullaillaco

Llullaillaco is a dormant stratovolcano on the border between Argentina and Chile.

Alicia Nijdam / CC BY 2.0

Aracar

Aracar is a large conical stratovolcano in northwestern Argentina, just east of the Chilean border.

Alicia Nijdam / CC BY 2.0

Aracar

Aracar is a large conical stratovolcano in northwestern Argentina, just east of the Chilean border.

NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite. / Public domain

Salar de Arizaro

Salar de Arizaro is a large salt flat of the Andes in north-western Argentina.

NASA’s Earth Observing-1 satellite. / Public domain

Salar de Arizaro

Salar de Arizaro is a large salt flat of the Andes in north-western Argentina.

Alicia Nijdam / CC BY 2.0

Reserva Provincial de Flora y Fauna Los Andes

A high-altitude protected area in the Puna region covering over half of the Los Andes department. It provides a habitat for vicuñas, suris, and Andean flamingos amidst volcanic peaks and salt flats.

Cascada de Alemanía

A waterfall located near the abandoned Alemanía railway station. It is accessible via a hiking trail that follows the Las Conchas River through rugged mountain terrain.

Cascada de los lobitos

Natural waterfall located in the transition zone between the mountains and the eastern plains of Salta.

Quebrada de las Conchas

A deep canyon characterized by intense red sedimentary rock formations. Carved by the Las Conchas River, the area displays millions of years of geological history through its exposed strata.

Los Castillos

Natural rock formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas that resemble medieval towers, created by the erosion of red sandstone cliffs.

Cerro San Bernardo

A 1,471-meter hill overlooking Salta City. It features a 1,070-step stone stairway, a cable car system, and panoramic viewpoints of the Lerma Valley.

Cuesta del Obispo

A winding mountain road that climbs from 1,270 to 3,348 meters at its highest point, Piedra del Molino, offering views of the Valle Encantado.

Orlando Vargas / CC-BY-SA

Tres cruces

An elevated viewpoint in the Quebrada de las Conchas providing a broad perspective of the red canyon and the winding Las Conchas River.

Orlando Vargas / CC-BY-SA

El obelisco

A prominent, solitary sandstone column formed by wind and water erosion within the Quebrada de las Conchas nature reserve.

El fraile

A natural rock formation in the Quebrada de las Conchas shaped by weathering to resemble the silhouette of a monk.

Mirador

High-altitude viewpoint located along the Cuesta del Obispo, offering vistas of the mountain passes and the surrounding cloud forest.

Orlando Vargas / CC-BY-SA

Las Ventanas

Sandstone formations in the Quebrada de las Conchas featuring natural apertures or 'windows' carved into the cliff face by erosion.

La Yesera

A geological site in the Quebrada de las Conchas known for its multi-colored sedimentary layers and the presence of marine fossils from the Cretaceous period.