Languiñeo Department: Steppe, Piedra Parada and Tecka

The Patagonian Steppe, a distinctive ancient caldera and a five-kilometre hiking trail give Languiñeo Department its own character. It is also home to natural areas with very different visitor options and cultural attractions in Tecka. If you are planning a family trip together and deciding what you want it to be about, you will find landscapes and geology here, as well as regional traditions and history.

Piedra Parada: Steppe and volcanic history

The Área Natural Protegida Piedra Parada protected area covers 132 hectares of Patagonian Steppe and lies between Languiñeo and Cushamen departments. It stretches along the Río Chubut, beside Provincial Route No. 12 between Gualjaina and Paso del Sapo. The name Piedra Parada also refers to an ancient caldera: it has a base measuring 100 metres across and stands 240 metres high. Its form bears witness to volcanic activity from 50 million years ago. Those interested in landscapes and Patagonia’s geological past will encounter a tangible record of this history here.

Another great place for outdoor activity is the Cañadón de la Buitrera. A five-kilometre hiking trail runs through the canyon, between walls of igneous rock reaching up to 200 metres high. The route and towering rock walls give the trail a very different character from the open steppe. If you are planning a day of hiking, the stated distance is a useful guide for planning your day; it does not indicate the walking time or difficulty level.

Laguna Aleusco: a sanctuary for waterbirds

Área Natural Protegida Laguna Aleusco is a 1,200-hectare tourist nature reserve in the Patagonian Steppe in Languiñeo Department, near the municipality of Esquel and the rural municipality of Colan Conhué. The lagoon protects nesting sites for Chilean flamingos (Phoenicopterus chilensis) and other waterbirds. It is classified as a strict nature reserve or wilderness area. There is an important detail to bear in mind when planning your trip: Laguna Aleusco is not open to visitors. It can therefore be understood as part of the region’s natural heritage, but it is not a destination for an on-site visit.

Tecka: regional tradition and history

Nearby lies Tecka, the administrative centre of Languiñeo Department on National Route No. 40. The traditional Fiesta Regional del Calafate is held there every January. Fly-fishing, wildlife watching and horseback riding are also available in the town. These activities offer different ways to include Tecka in your trip, each with its own focus.

A historic landmark in Tecka is the mausoleum of Cacique Inacayal. His remains were laid to rest in Tecka on 19 April 1994. The mausoleum is 150 metres from Route 40, on its eastern side and opposite the town of Tecka. This makes a visit to the town a chance to see a specific historic site associated with a clearly documented event.

Choose the right holiday rental for your travel interests

When choosing a holiday rental in Languiñeo Department, it is worth deciding on your priorities first: do you want your trip to focus mainly on the landscapes and volcanic history of Piedra Parada, the hiking trail in Cañadón de la Buitrera, or Tecka’s traditions and history? Also bear in mind that Laguna Aleusco is closed to visitors.

From the northwest, Tecka provides access to the Andean area of Corcovado and Lago Vintter via Provincial Route 17. If you are considering travelling beyond the department, you can also explore other departments at the same regional level: Florentino Ameghino Department, Río Senguer Department, Rawson Department, Gaiman Department, Futaleufú Department, Tehuelches Department and Cushamen Department.

For the broader travel overview: Chubut.