Castillos de Pincheira Nature Reserve

Information

It is a protected natural area in western Mendoza Province in Argentina, where there are geological formations that look like huge castles. They are enormous rock walls naturally shaped by the erosion caused by watercourses and the wind.

To get there from the town of Malargüe, you take Fortín Malargüe Oeste Avenue, which turns into a road as you leave the town. It is about 23 km along this road to reach the site.

You arrive at a campgroud that has services such as a small camp store, restrooms, camping (in summer), a picnic area and a small pond with ducks. From the area around the campground, a walking trail leads across the Malargüe River over a suspension bridge, and after about 500 meters reaches the Castillos de Pincheira, which are unmistakable both up close and from a distance because of their striking rock formations.

The name given to these formations comes from armed groups led by brothers with the surname Pincheira, who operated in this part of the Andes in the early 19th century. It is said that they took refuge in this place, although some of the stories told about them such as the claim that they hid treasures in the "Castles" are legends with no supporting documentation.