Aconcagua Provincial Park

What it is

Aconcagua Provincial Park in Mendoza protects the area around the highest mountain outside Asia, 6,960.8 m according to the latest measurement. You do not need to be a mountaineer to see it up close: from the Horcones entrance on National Route 7, a short trail leads to Laguna de Horcones. The viewpoint faces Aconcagua's South Face, a wall almost 3 km high with hanging glaciers.

When and how

The park is about three hours' drive from Mendoza on the road to Chile. The loop is about 2 km, an easy hour past Laguna Espejo and Laguna de Horcones. The entrance sits at almost 3,000 m, so you feel the altitude even on a short walk. From December to March the trail is usually open; after winter snowfalls it closes for avalanche risk. Longer treks, such as to Confluencia, require a separate permit.

Tip

On the way, stop at Puente del Inca, a natural stone bridge over the river a few kilometers before the park. Walk slowly and drink plenty of water.