Traslasierra, at the Foot of the Comechingones

We left Mina Clavero and drove south with the idea of visiting the towns in Traslasierra Valley, where the vegetation, the creeks and contact with nature offer mountain and adventure activities or just a simple pause.

A few kilometers after setting out, we saw Villa Las Rosas, San Javier and Yacanto at the foot of Mount Champaquí. They both compete for sports activities related to climbing, horseback riding and hiking, especially in the summer; and they both face the highest peak in the Province of Córdoba and offer professional guides.

We observed that San Javier preserves a building style that dates back to the late nineteenth century, when the English built the railway and resolved to settle down in the surroundings. It was there where we decided to have lunch and found an old wooden house whose grill delighted us with some delicious goat accompanied with fresh vegetables from the orchard and freshly baked bread. The vine in the gallery sheltered us from the strong summer heat.

We chatted with some local denizens and confirmed that many families have moved to this area in the last decade to settle down for good. Life in contact with nature, the prevailing quietness and its exceptional micro climate have generated new ways to co-exist and contributed more comfort to this community.

We drove on and reached La Paz, a very neat town with old houses from the late 1800s. Then we saw a coquettish sulky, another carefully painted sulky and two more driven by children farther ahead. This certainly piqued our curiosity. We later learned that those small calashes pulled by horses are the most usual means of transportation in the area.

Due to their proximity to one another, La Paz and Loma Bola share the same tourist corridor famous for their swim holes and the motto ‘walk to see’. Countless trails lead to the mountain and let adventurers make contact with the woods and vantage points featuring unique sights.

We talked to Luciana at the Municipal Tourist Office so as to learn a little bit more about the popular Empanada Festival. She told us it is held every year early in February and that it has coincided with the town’s anniversary for a long time.

‘This is a traditional contest in which the local ladies put up stalls and offer their specialties whereas a jury decides which one is the best year after year’, Luciana told us. The warmth of these people who generally carry out their tasks without haste is easily perceived.

Some traditions have been renewed, like the way medicinal and aromatic herbs are obtained and processed. Over 20 kinds of plants grow spontaneously in the area. Likewise, grapes, fruit and olives are cultivated and commercialized.

We returned to the road and almost without any interruption, we passed by Las Chacras, Quebracho Ladeado and Cruz de Caña. All these towns offered their olive, fruit and handicrafts local production to us.

Feeling the fresh air on our faces and in our lungs, we crossed Piedra Blanca Creek, whose name stands for ‘White Rock’ in Spanish. It outlines the border between the Provinces of Córdoba and San Luis, and the signs read Villa de Merlo.

During this short tour, we valued the lifestyle of these mountains and even dreamed of moving there, somewhere on that winding road that joins towns that hang from the mountain.

Contacts
Municipalidad de La Paz
Te: 54 3544 496010
E-mail: info@lapaz-traslasierra.com.ar

Municipalidad de San Javier/Yacanto
Address: ruta 14 s/n
Te: 54 3544 482077/041
E-mail: munisanjavieryacanto@vdolores.com.ar