Manzano Amargo

Manzano Amargo sits 1,200 metres above sea level, in a fertile valley on the Neuquén River, in the north of the province. It is 18 km from Varvarco, 40 km from Las Ovejas, 80 km from Andacollo and 527 km from the provincial capital. It has 728 residents (2022 census) and lives on forestry, goat and cattle herding between winter and summer pastures and, increasingly, tourism: there are cabins, rentals and excursions.

Things to do

• La Fragua waterfall: a 40-metre drop, 4 km from the village on provincial route 54 towards Pichi Neuquén. Its name comes from the sound of the water on the rocks, like a forge.
• Cerro La Cruz: a viewpoint at 1,400 metres, reached by a trail of about 50 minutes.
• Los Chenques: caves once used as homes or animal pens.
• Fishing: the Neuquén River holds perch and rainbow, brown and brook trout, and float trips are run. The Varvarco Tapia lake (70 km along route 54) and Varvarco Campos (6 km further) are among the best fishing spots in the province.

Climate

Temperate, with winter rain: about 731 mm a year, mostly in June. January is the warmest month and July the coldest.

History

The name comes from an apple tree over 120 years old that bears bitter fruit. People lived in the area from the late 19th century; the village was founded in 1978 to stop people leaving for the Alto Valle, and its local development commission was officially created in 1988.

Distances: 527 km from Neuquén city · 18 km from Varvarco · 80 km from Andacollo