With its small and flat territory, Uruguay isn’t a renown mountain climbing vacation spot. Guests to the nation –in the event that they go to in any respect– normally take a look at Montevideo and name it a day. However you, you might be completely different, and we admire that. You wish to dig deeper and uncover the pure fantastic thing about this underestimated nation. So let’s discover collectively among the finest trekking choices in Uruguay!
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From Valizas to Cabo Polonio
Cabo Polonio is a chunk of untouched heaven adorning the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. The peculiarity of this peaceable fishing hamlet is that it’s separated from the world by sand dunes, with none street to attach it. Though it’s a preferred vacation spot, the locals definitely want to protect their distinctive state of affairs.
Buses go away Montevideo twice a day for the village of Barra de Valizas. From there, it’s potential to rent a 4×4 taxi to succeed in your vacation spot. Though that’s enjoyable, you’d be lacking on the fantastic thing about the dunes, the jewel of the Cabo Polonio Nationwide Park.
Crossing the dunes alongside the shore, you’ll acquire sufficient elevation to admire the coast as much as Brazil, the colonies of sea lions, the lighthouse of Cabo Polonio, and the island of Castillos within the distance. Additional on, you’ll be capable to cross a small river by foot at low tide; in any other case, it’ll be essential to take a ship.
➔ Comply with this path on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 10.6 km / 6.6 mi (3 hours) |
| Issue: | simple to average ★★☆☆☆ |
| Closest city: | Cabo Polonio |
| Find accommodation in Cabo Polonio | |
| Greatest time to go: | All 12 months spherical |
| Self-guided choice? | Sure, or ebook a tour on Viator |
Santa Teresa Nationwide Park
The Parque Nacional de Santa Teresa is likely one of the 16 nationwide parks scattered round Uruguay’s small territory. It preserves a fraction of the Atlantic coast, with its seashores, sand dunes and forests, solely 40 min away from the Brazilian border.
A number of quick paths criss-cross this small park between the street and the coast, permitting a calming household day hike. For a complete exploration, comply with the Alua path, which crosses the ficus forest to a few viewpoints and a few secluded seashores. A go to of the Santa Teresa fortress can also be a should.
Don’t get fooled by the appelation of “cerros” (mountains) – nothing exceeds 100 m (330 ft) round right here. Nonetheless, their “summits” supply good views on the shoreline, one of many world’s largest palm groves, and the Laguna Negra. Between August and November, you could possibly spot dolphins and whales (within the ocean, not within the lake).
Ominous names: The Laguna Negra, the ‘Black Lake’ close to Punta del Diablo (‘Satan’s Level’) is also called Laguna de los Difuntos, the ‘Lagoon of the Lifeless’. Don’t fear although, that’s merely as a consequence of its location close to the indigenous graveyard.
➔ Comply with this path on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 12 km (7.5 mi) round-trip (4 hours) |
| Issue: | average ★★★☆☆ |
| Closest city: | Punta del Diablo |
| Find accommodation in Punta del Diablo | |
| Greatest time to go: | September–February |
| Self-guided choice? | Sure, or ebook a tour domestically |
Laguna Merín
This idyllic stroll follows the shore of a gorgeous lake, which irrigates a number of rice plantations throughout. The lake is beloved by many species of migratory birds, but in addition turtles, capybaras and ostriches. We suggest that you just stroll slowly, and with out making a lot noise, with a purpose to spot the wildlife.
This hike will be finished inside a day. However in case you fall in love with the world, you’ll discover a number of tenting choices; our favorite is Punta Muniz, a ribbon of land advancing romantically into the water. A beautiful place to tub, calm down on the sandy seaside, and observe the birds and the smooth passing of time.
This path is flat and fairly simple for many of its size. However in some components, it disappears within the water and you would possibly have to swim for a number of meters. It’s a biathlon of kinds. On the finish of the trail, awaits the Uruguay-Brazil border – time to show in the direction of the city of Río Branco.
➔ Comply with this path on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 16 km / 10 mi a technique (6 hours) |
| Issue: | average to difficult ★★★★☆ |
| Closest city: | Río Branco |
| Find accommodation in Lago Merin | |
| Greatest time to go: | September–February |
| Self-guided choice? | Sure, or ebook a tour domestically |
Cerro Arequita
Uruguay doesn’t supply a lot by way of mountains. It’s definitely not the place the place you’ll follow your climbing abilities. However in case you’re dying to achieve some elevation, head over to Mount Arequita, a 2-hour drive from Montevideo. It supplies a brief and good hike to its flat prime, at 305 m (1000 ft).
Regardless of the disappointing altitude, this space affords a mesmerising panorama, product of huge ombú bushes and timeless caves. Beneath you, the fields and the woods of Uruguay supply a relaxing sight.
After the summit, this trails carries on all the way down to the mellow Santa Lucía river. It’s a extremely smooth hike, the place you possibly can take the time to benefit from the hike. You’ll then end the loop on village roads, again to your place to begin – a chance to hitchhike and meet locals.
Mountains? With 513 m (1683 toes), the very best peak in Uruguay is Mount Cathedral (“Cerro Catedral”), positioned within the Maldonado division. However there’s a street passing by and no actual mountain climbing choice. Its summit is somewhat a objective for cyclists.
➔ Comply with this path on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 7.7 km (4.8 mi) round-trip (2.5 hours) |
| Issue: | simple ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Closest city: | Minas |
| Find accommodation in Minas | |
| Greatest time to go: | October–Could |
| Self-guided choice? | Sure, or ebook a mountain climbing tour domestically |
If you wish to sort out a correct mountain (*ahem*), strive your mountain climbing boots on Mount Aguiar, positioned within the Maldonado division. An 11 km (7 mi) path brings you to the summit at 468 m (1538 ft) and follows onward to 3 extra pure wonders: the spectacular Palmas Ravine, the gorgeous Venado Waterfall, and the Darwin Canyon.
Like usually on Uruguay sadly, this pure reserve is a non-public property. You’ll due to this fact have to contact the proprietor prematurely and register on arrival. When you’re , take a look on the trail on Wikiloc.
Quebrada de los Cuervos Nature Protect
The Yerbal Chico river has fantastically formed the “Crows’ Canyon”, a gorgeous gorge with cliffs as much as 120 meters. This hilly panorama is especially inexperienced, and blessed with superb fauna and flora – together with, clearly, a number of species of… vultures, which apparently seem like crows.
The uneven terrain isn’t notably troublesome and can deliver you first all the way down to the river (the place it’s potential to swim by heat climate), after which as much as the highest of one other hill. It seems like a special world, which supplies a sense of remoteness that’s unusual on Uruguay mountain climbing trails.
Be aware that there’s a small charge to get in. However you possibly can then spend the entire day within the park, marvelling at such an journey land, wild and but so shut from civilisation, a mere 5-hour drive from the streets of Montevideo.
➔ Comply with this path on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 6.5 km (4 mi) round-trip (3 hours) |
| Issue: | average to difficult ★★★★☆ |
| Closest city: | Treinta y Tres |
| Find accommodation in Treinta y Tres | |
| Greatest time to go: | September–November |
| Self-guided choice? | Sure, or ebook a tour domestically |
Los helechos Path (Valle del Lunarejo Pure Park)
Far within the north, near the Brazilian border, lies this 30,000 ha protected space, set across the Lunarejo Valley. This panorama of mild streams, grassy hills and deep gorges might be probably the greatest trekking locations in Uruguay.
Among the many completely different mountain climbing choices inside the park, we suggest following the Helechos path. Strolling all the way down to the river mattress, you’ll go fascinating rock formations, just like the Bats’ Cave. The ending line is at a pure pool created by a brief fall of the Lunarejo river. Don’t neglect your swimsuit!
The path isn’t very troublesome, nevertheless it’s not nicely signposted; plus, the park’s remoteness means you received’t meet many individuals. It would due to this fact be a good suggestion to rent a information. They’ll be capable to organise for you the crossing of personal fields, with a purpose to present you much more hidden gems.
➔ Comply with this path on Wikiloc.
| Distance (time): | 10 km (6.2 mi) round-trip (3 hours) |
| Issue: | average ★★★☆☆ |
| Closest cities: | Masoller, Tranqueras |
| Find accommodation in Lunarejo | |
| Greatest time to go: | January–Could |
| Self-guided choice? | Sure, or ebook a tour domestically |
South of the Lunarejo Valley lies one other protected space: Cuchilla Laureles. Comparable in its geography (hills, canyons, streams, waterfalls), it’s extra distant and the entry is due to this fact harder.
The principle benefit of this extension is that it offers the chance for a 2-day difficult hike that can please probably the most hardcore hikers amongst us. It’s finest to do that trek with a information, however right here’s the Wikiloc entry to present you an concept.
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