Los Cardones National Park, National park in Salta Province, Argentina
Los Cardones National Park is a mountain reserve of about 64,000 hectares with elevations ranging from 2,600 to over 5,200 meters, composed of dry terrain with sparse vegetation. The landscape includes rocky slopes, open plateaus, and narrow valleys that run south to north through the region.
The reserve was established in 1996 to protect a landscape containing rock paintings from pre-Hispanic peoples. Fossilized dinosaur footprints from the age of dinosaurs have also been discovered in the mountain formations.
Shepherds move through these mountains following routes passed down through generations, grazing their herds on designated lands that shape the landscape. This pastoral tradition remains visible in how the valleys are used and inhabited today.
The main route passes through Provincial Route 33, which runs through the mountain region and has several stops for public buses. Visitors should wear sturdy footwear and be prepared for thinner air at higher elevations.
The giant cacti that give this place its name can reach up to 15 meters tall and live over 300 years in this arid mountain setting. These slow-growing plants are among the most distinctive features visitors encounter while walking through the reserve.
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