Volcanoes of Catamarca
view more about Catamarca
explore destinations in Argentina
share this post
The Argentinean province of Catamarca has a large number of volcanoes in its Andean region. Many of them are inactive, but there are also some that are considered active.
One thing to highlight is the altitude, since many of them exceed 5000 metres above sea level, and even some of them are among the highest summits in America since they exceed 6000 metres above sea level. Some of them are points for the international border with Chile. And also for the interprovincial boundary between the Argentine provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja, as is the case of Mount Pissis. In particular, the snow-capped Ojos del Salado at 6891 metres above sea level is both the highest volcano in the world, the second highest in the American continent and boundary between Argentina and Chile.
Many of these volcanoes can be visited on two of the typical routes or circuits in the mountainous region of the province:
1. Seismiles Route: it is a stretch of the National Road 60 on the Argentinean side that becomes Route 31 on the Chilean side. It crosses one of the highest regions of the continent, where you can see several peaks over 6000 metres high. In particular, in the province of Catamarca you can see the Incahuasi volcano (6640 metres above sea level) and near the border the San Francisco volcano (6040 metres above sea level), both of which are international borders. If you continue through Chile, you can also see the Ojos del Salado and El Fraile (6061 metres above sea level), which are also on the border.
2. Puna Catamarqueña: it is a high plateau full of volcanoes. The characteristic is that many of them can be easily seen and recognised by their perfectly conical shape, surrounded by scoria. An easy way to see them is by the Provincial Route 43 that leads to the main town of Antofagasta de la Sierra. As you drive along this road you can see the volcanoes Carachi Pampa, Jote, Colorado, and arriving at the town you have a perfect view of the volcanoes Antofalla and Antofagasta. Also, with a guided excursion you can visit the Galán volcano and its imposing caldera.
Another interesting fact is that from the Seismiles Route there is a road that leads to the so-called Balcón del Pissis. It is worth mentioning that it is a precarious road, where there can be strong winds and it is not advisable to go with any vehicle. This drive leads to a balcony or natural viewpoint from where you can see Mount Pissis, which is a volcano that, at 6795 metres above sea level, is the third highest peak in America.
One thing to highlight is the altitude, since many of them exceed 5000 metres above sea level, and even some of them are among the highest summits in America since they exceed 6000 metres above sea level. Some of them are points for the international border with Chile. And also for the interprovincial boundary between the Argentine provinces of Catamarca and La Rioja, as is the case of Mount Pissis. In particular, the snow-capped Ojos del Salado at 6891 metres above sea level is both the highest volcano in the world, the second highest in the American continent and boundary between Argentina and Chile.
Many of these volcanoes can be visited on two of the typical routes or circuits in the mountainous region of the province:
1. Seismiles Route: it is a stretch of the National Road 60 on the Argentinean side that becomes Route 31 on the Chilean side. It crosses one of the highest regions of the continent, where you can see several peaks over 6000 metres high. In particular, in the province of Catamarca you can see the Incahuasi volcano (6640 metres above sea level) and near the border the San Francisco volcano (6040 metres above sea level), both of which are international borders. If you continue through Chile, you can also see the Ojos del Salado and El Fraile (6061 metres above sea level), which are also on the border.
2. Puna Catamarqueña: it is a high plateau full of volcanoes. The characteristic is that many of them can be easily seen and recognised by their perfectly conical shape, surrounded by scoria. An easy way to see them is by the Provincial Route 43 that leads to the main town of Antofagasta de la Sierra. As you drive along this road you can see the volcanoes Carachi Pampa, Jote, Colorado, and arriving at the town you have a perfect view of the volcanoes Antofalla and Antofagasta. Also, with a guided excursion you can visit the Galán volcano and its imposing caldera.
Another interesting fact is that from the Seismiles Route there is a road that leads to the so-called Balcón del Pissis. It is worth mentioning that it is a precarious road, where there can be strong winds and it is not advisable to go with any vehicle. This drive leads to a balcony or natural viewpoint from where you can see Mount Pissis, which is a volcano that, at 6795 metres above sea level, is the third highest peak in America.
