Petrified forest La Leona

Departure from El Calafate, traveling 33 km, along provincial route No. 5 to the East and then 67 km to the North along national route No. 40. During this trip we can see Lake Argentino, Santa Cruz River, La Leona River and its beautiful valley, with a panoramic view of the Andes Mountain Range, including Fitz Roy Hill. We stop for approximately 15 minutes at Hotel La Leona (historical site) and continue 10 km westwards, following the southern shore of Lake Viedma, until we reach the slopes of Cerro Los Hornos (Estancia Santa Teresita), where we arrive around 12:00 noon.

We look for the first time at the huge depression in the terrain where the petrified trunks are and begin our exploration walk among the fossils. Halfway through the walk we stop for lunch. Throughout the walk we will see a large number of petrified trunks lying on the surface, some with a diameter of 1.20 meters, testimony of ancient times when the climate was very different from today and allowed the support of an abundant and large flora.

This property is protected from the wind by the Cerro Los Hornos and because it is also a natural depression in the terrain. Being in a steppe area, it is very dry and the weather conditions in general are very pleasant. We start our return at 14:00 hs. Approximately with a new stop at the “Parador” Hotel La Leona and we arrive to Calafate around 16:30/ 17.00 hs.

Additional Information:

Children: from 6 to 11 years old

-Not suitable for children 0 to 5 years of age

–Within 48 hours prior to the start of the activity, no refunds will be made without exception