A small mountain town in the Andes at 2,039 meters elevation, with a military base and several archeological sites from pre-Columbian civilizations.
Uspallata lies along the Andes route between Mendoza, Argentina, and Santiago, Chile. The town sits at high altitude, with views of rocky slopes and dry valleys. Once a stop on the Transandine Railway, it now serves as a gateway to Mount Aconcagua, the tallest peak in the Americas. You can walk around 17th-century smelting kilns at Las BĂłvedas, drive to the striped slopes of Cerro de Siete Colores, or hike sections of the Camino del Inca trail. Clear skies and dry air make this area ideal for hiking in summer, with nearby ski slopes operating in winter. The town itself has a handful of low-rise buildings, reflecting its history as a supply point for explorers and military campaigns.
Cerro de Siete Colores (Hill of Seven Colors)
Drive 10 minutes east of Uspallata to see this hill, where mineral deposits have created stripes of green, red, and gold. You can park within 100 meters of the slopes and touch the colored sediment. The road here is gravel, passing dry shrubs and cacti typical of the Andean foothills. No entrance fee or official trails exist—walk freely around the base. Early mornings provide softer light for photography, with fewer vehicles stirring dust on the road. Guides sometimes wait near the parking area offering horseback rides, but you don’t need a tour to explore.
BĂłvedas de Uspallata
These six dome-shaped kilns, constructed from adobe and imported English bricks, processed silver and copper from nearby mines in the 1600s. Look for brick stamps reading “Rufford Stourbridge,” indicating materials brought by Jesuit missionaries. A small museum explains how the furnaces worked and their role in producing weapons for Argentina’s independence forces. Walk here from town in 20 minutes, passing a crumbling chapel where workers once prayed. Information panels describe how the site operated without electricity, using gravity-fed water channels to cool metals.
Mount Aconcagua and Parque Provincial Aconcagua
The 6,962-meter summit of Aconcagua appears on clear days from Uspallata, 80 km to the east. Most visitors explore the park’s lower trails rather than attempting the climb. Hike the Sendero Laguna de Horcones to see glaciers feeding turquoise lakes, with guanacos often grazing nearby. Rangers at the park entrance check permits and provide free maps. Guided day hikes go to Confluencia camp, crossing rocky terrain beside the Horcones River. Roads to the park sometimes close between May and September due to snow—ask locally before driving.
Rafting, Skiing, and Climbing Adventures
From November to March, rafting companies take groups down the Mendoza River’s rapids, with trips lasting 2-3 hours. Operators supply helmets and wetsuits; no prior experience is needed. In winter, Penitentes Ski Resort opens 40 minutes west of town, with chairlifts serving beginner and intermediate slopes. Climbers train on the granite walls near Puente Picheuta, a stone bridge 15 km south. For a short hike, follow signs from Uspallata’s outskirts to boulders carved with pre-Columbian spiral patterns and animal figures.
Camino del Inca and Paso de Uspallata
Walk part of the Camino del Inca, an ancient trail system that connected this region to Chile. Puente del Inca, a natural orange-hued bridge 60 km west, marks where Inca engineers built roads across the Vacas River. The Uspallata Pass reaches 3,830 meters, once used by mule trains carrying goods between Buenos Aires and ValparaĂso. Today, trucks use the Cristo Redentor Tunnel beneath the pass. Stop at the Cristo Redentor de los Andes statue to see where Argentina and Chile settled border disputes in 1904.
Visiting Uspallata: Transportation and Weather
Temperatures here swing from 25°C midday to near freezing at night—bring a warm jacket year-round. Three bus companies connect Uspallata to Mendoza, with two daily departures taking 2.5 hours. Rent a car if you plan to visit Paramillos mine ruins or other remote sites via gravel roads. Lodging options include family-run guesthouses and a hostel near the main square. Most restaurants serve empanadas, grilled meats, and pizza. Between June and September, carry tire chains and confirm highway conditions toward Chile. Spend two full days to see all major sites without rushing.
