National Route 7 is the most common way to get to Uspallata, although it is not the only one. Some time ago, when this road that leads to Chile still did not exist, the provincial route 52 was the one that connected the city of Mendoza with the lasherino valley. Today, this road, which involves an approximate distance of 100 kilometers, is a perfect excursion, when time does not hurry and hurries are left aside.
The starting point for this trip is in the Villavicencio Nature Reserve, 50 kilometers from the provincial capital, which is accessed from Panquehua, passing through Canota, where the columns of Soler and Las Heras were divided to address each other. steps to Chile. It is advisable to load gasoline and check the condition of the vehicle before leaving because until Uspallata there are no service stations.
Once in Villavicencio, a cornice path up the mountain. There are 270 curves that climb up to 3100 meters above sea level ..
These snails represent a natural viewpoint that – of course – offers unbeatable panoramic views. Most of the time, it also offers the possibility of spotting condors and other native fauna such as guanacos, choiques, foxes or maras. In El Balcón, one of the viewpoints, you can pause and soak up the landscape.
Another place for a stop is the Cross of Paramillos, one of the high points of the route and where, centuries ago, a chapel was attended by Spanish friars, according to the religious historian Agustín Borzi. Here you can see the impressive Cordón del Plata and Aconcagua. Do not be confused by the visual game of distance: that snowy peak that rises in the distance is the highest peak in America.
Very close to there and, since 2007, the Via Crucis de Paramillos is located. A poster recalls the Huarpe presence in the area and the subsequent arrival of the Jesuits who learned the language and customs of this original community. To get to the Jesuit ruins, you have to deviate from the path, although the landscape is worth the extra kilometers.
Along with them are also the Paramillos Mines that date back to the 17th century and are considered among the first in the country. Although today recreational tours that include rappelling and trekking are promoted, centuries ago, from these bowels of the earth, lead, silver and zinc were extracted.
Back on the route, there are two stops of interest. First, Agua de la Zorra, where Charles Darwin found in 1835 the araucaria forest more than 230 million years old that was the first discovery of petrified trees in South America.
Second, the Tunduqueral hill and its petroglyphs that point to the presence of other civilizations in this land.
