Tabaquillo Waterfall

Information

It is a trail that leads to an 18-metre high waterfall. It is near the locality of Villa de Merlo, in an area that belongs to a wider florofauna reserve.

To get there from Merlo, take the Avenida de los Césares. It is about 4 kilometres along this asphalted road that becomes Provincial Route 5. You reach a bend with forks, where you take a dirt road on the left to enter the florofauna reserve. From there it is 350 metres to the site.

You arrive at a place with a car park, stalls selling food and drinks, and there are also people offering excursions and adventure sports activities. The start of the trail is about 50 metres away.

It is a medium-difficulty trekking that requires good physical condition, as it has sections of some difficulty. It takes 5 or 6 hours round trip.

During the walk you will pass through a natural area within the Sierras de los Comechingones (a mountain chain). A large part of the route is along the El Molino Stream, a crystalline water course. You have to walk along paths and stones, and you pass by some minor waterfalls. In other stretches you cross a forest area where you can see a small tree called 'tabaquillo', which grows in these mountains and gives the place its name. This tree is easily recognised by its reddish colour and its bark that opens in sheets like a puff pastry.