Los Altares

Los Altares is in central Chubut, 287 km from Trelew and 323 km from Esquel, on National Route 25 and the banks of the Chubut River, almost halfway between the Andes and the sea. It is a rural community of about 200 people (202 in the 2022 census). With very few towns along that road, it is an important stop: it has a YPF service station that is also an Argentine Automobile Club post.

Things to do

• The rock walls: some 80 km of stone cliffs, visible from the valley and up to 70 metres high. The “altars” that give the village its name can be seen just by walking its streets.
• Rock art: paintings by nomadic Tehuelche hunters have survived here.
• Neighbouring valleys: the village lies in the Los Altares valley, between the Los Mártires and Las Ruinas valleys; the Valle de las Ruinas and Paso de Indios are both within reach.
• Crafts: available to buy in the village.

History

Its name comes from the surrounding rock formations: high cliffs, canyons and very old geological formations. It was a place of refuge for the first peoples fleeing the army expedition.

Distances: 287 km from Trelew · 323 km from Esquel · National Route 25