South Mendoza, Neuquén, Hiking/camping Reccs

[RodalfoWalsh]

So spur of the moment get away. Driving west today with the tents and hiking boots. Planing on sleeping in San Rafael tonight, need to be back in town next weds AM everything else is up in the air. Any must see locations?

Not really looking to do wine tasting, more enjoy the great outdoors.

I was thinking of heading south towards the Lake District and heading back from there. Too much distance?

 

[ajoknoblauch]

So spur of the moment get away. Driving west today with the tents and hiking boots. Planing on sleeping in San Rafael tonight, need to be back in town next weds AM everything else is up in the air. Any must see locations?

Not really looking to do wine tasting, more enjoy the great outdoors.

I was thinking of heading south towards the Lake District and heading back from there. Too much distance?

I'd say your itinerary sounds a bit ambitious - lots of drive time. The southern part of Mendoza, around and beyond Malargüe, has some nice options and the route south toward Villa Pehuenia and Aluminé (Neuquén) is very scenic, and gets relatively few visitors. This is a long, slow route, though, and you'll probably have to return via La Pampa.

 

[RichardP]

There is some hiking outside of San Rafael. Pretty dry area until you get up high.

Here is a trip I took there a couple of years ago in the upper reaches of the Atuel.

http://www.nwhikers....3248&highlight=

La Payunia Natural Reserve in southern Mendoza looks fascinating.

http://www.patrimoni...nia/payunia.asp

If you like the typical Argentine zoo-like atmosphere of tourism, the Atuel Canyon has camping, rafting, hiking, rock climbing and kayaking closer to town.