Natural Protected Area Valle del Lunarejo, Protected natural area in Rivera Department, Uruguay
Natural Protected Area Valle del Lunarejo is a nature reserve covering roughly 29,000 hectares of valleys, streams, hills over 350 meters high, numerous waterfalls, forests, and grasslands. Deep basalt rock formations shape the entire landscape and create its distinctive terrain.
The area became significant during the Battle of Masoller in 1904, when General Aparicio Saravia received fatal wounds during Uruguayan civil conflicts. This event marked it as a crucial location in the nation's political history.
Stone buildings scattered throughout the area reflect its past role as a contested border zone between Uruguay and Rio Grande do Sul. They stand as reminders of how people once used this landscape for strategic defense.
The protected area is accessible via Route 30 near Masoller, Boqueron, La Palma, and Lunarejo, with the Visitor Center located at kilometer 237. Trails are easier to navigate during drier months when water levels drop.
The region is home to over 150 bird species along with rare animals like margay cats, coatis, anteaters, and armadillos living among subtropical vegetation. This wildlife thrives within the protected basalt formations.
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