La Cumbre Argentina | A Hidden Gem in the Mountains of Córdoba

High in the Sierras de Córdoba is a small town called La Cumbre, which has a strong history and influence inherited from the English. It’s the perfect location for a weekend getaway.

Along Ruta 38 in the Sierras de Córdoba in Argentina, you will find a small town called La Cumbre. It was once settled by British immigrants and the architecture and vibe of the city reflect that history. It is now a sleepy mountain town, popular with Argentine visitors looking for some peace and relaxation.

I went up to La Cumbre one weekend with a few of my local friends in Córdoba, making a stop in La Falda along the way. In La Cumbre, we visited dams, ate great food, and slept in a beautiful hotel nestled amongst the trees.

In this La Cumbre guide, I’ll explain what to do in La Cumbre, some nearby villages to visit, and where to stay. I hope you’ll enjoy this beautiful Cordoban gem in Argentina.

What does La Cumbre mean?

La Cumbre means the summit. It makes sense for this town because it does feel like you’re at the peak of a mountain. You are surrounded by trees and nature everywhere you look.

What is the history of La Cumbre?

La Cumbre is a town founded by the English in the late 1800’s, as they flocked there to build the railroad. You can still see the remnants of some tracks through the town, but there is no longer a train that passes through. La Cumbre, meaning ‘the peak,‘ got its name for being the highest point along the train’s journey.

The English continued to flood La Cumbre for the next several decades, building vacation homes, and greatly influencing the architectural style of the area. La Cumbre is now your standard Argentinian town in the mountains, with stylish merienda cafes, veggie stands, and local butcher shops. However, the architecture is all that remains of its English past.

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Where is La Cumbre located?

La Cumbre is located 85km north of the capital of the Córdoba province and takes nearly two hours to drive between the two places. It sits in the middle of the Sierras de Córdoba mountain range.

What is it like to visit the village of La Cumbre Argentina?

La Cumbre is a cute and cozy little village with small streets, big gardens, and weed-covered train tracks that run through the center of town. The people are friendly and you can catch some pretty amazing sunsets here.

You can find everything that you need- supermarkets, restaurants, cafes, hotels, etc. There are hotels and places to stay near the center of town, but there are also beautiful hotels on the outskirts of town nestled in the woods and forests of the Sierras.

Stops to make along the way to La Cumbre

Ruta 38 is a well-known route in the province of Córdoba, and all along this road you will pass through several cute mountainous towns. There are several great stops to make between La Cumbre and Córdoba Capital.

Check out this blog post if you’re looking for things to do in Córdoba Capital.

Tren de las Sierras

The Tren de las Sierras is a tourist train that runs between Córdoba Capital and Capilla del Monte. The train makes several stops along the way, and one of them is in La Falda. If you’re looking for a long and scenic route to reach La Cumbre, this is a great option.

La Falda

The small town of La Falda is famous for its big history. The Eden Hotel is its main attraction. The hotel offers tours (in Spanish only) full of ghost stories and conspiracy theories about a so-called Fuhrer who faked his death and escaped to Argentina. Over the years, the hotel has also seen several famous guests, including Albert Einstein.

While the hotel is no longer in active use, you can still stop in for the tour or a look around. The architecture and gardens are interesting to see.

Valle Hermoso

Valle Hermoso is a small town with a tranquil river and dam nearby that is great for cooling off and relaxing in the warmer months.

Cosquin

Cosquin is another well-known town along the Camino del Cuadrado, which is the historic winding route between Córdoba and Hotel Eden. The river passes through next to the town, just like in Valle Hermoso, and people enjoy spending time along the river banks.

Things to do in La Cumbre

Walk around the old town

The town center is not big but it is very cute. There are old English-style buildings, as well as newer Argentine architectural buildings. Several of the historic buildings, such as the train station, have been updated and converted into modern places such as the tourist information center. There is also a big park with a playground and outdoor concerts and events.

Stroll along the old railroad tracks

There was once a train that passed through La Cumbre. While the train no longer passes through town, the tracks are still there. It is fun to imagine an old-timey train coming through town. Though the tracks are now covered in dirt and weeds.

Visit the Dique San Jerónimo

San Jerónimo Dam is a nature area to the east of La Cumbre. There are a couple of restaurants, a dam to take a big walk around, and a small waterfall. It is easy to spend a few hours in this area.

Walk around the Dique

There is a nature trail that goes around this massive dam. It’s beautiful and peaceful here. There are several Argentine tourists here but I didn’t see any international guests other than myself.

Go down to the waterfall

The waterfall is just next to the dam (dique). It’s not a big waterfall, but it is a beautiful one, and just a few minutes away from the restaurant so easy for anyone to see. It was quite peaceful down there, and a great way to end the weekend. It was a small 5-minute hike down a trail to reach it.

Eat near the water at DiqueSI

We made a reservation for lunch here right when we arrived because it tends to get busy. The restaurant sits right along the water’s edge with amazing views. Here we ordered osobuco empanadas, Pejerrey (fried river fish), a fancy grilled hotdog, and of course, Argentinian wine.

How to get to La Cumbre

Rent a car

If you’re able to, I suggest renting a car to drive around Córdoba. There are several great Cordoban road trips. So if you have the time and the cash, renting a car is the best option. There are so many small places to stop around the region, that hiring a car in Argentina gives you that freedom.

Take the tourist train

The Tren de las Sierras is not a fast train, but it is beautiful and very affordable. If you have the time and want to take a slow ride through the Sierras of Córdoba, this is a great option. There is a new stop in La Cumbre.

Take the bus

You can take a bus to La Cumbre from most main cities and towns in the province of Córdoba. Check BusBud or Plataforma10 for timetables. It takes about 3 hours by bus between La Cumbre and Córdoba Capital.

Where to stay in La Cumbre

There are places to stay near the center, but a ton of hotels in the surrounding nature areas.

La Loma Cabañas & Suites

We stayed at this hotel, which has an acclimatized swimming pool, outdoor exercise yard, asado grill on the patio, ping pong, pool, breakfast included, and rooms with incredible views. We had a giant asado and wine dinner party with my friends and the other guests staying there.

Stay amongst the trees in La Cumbre, BOOK NOW

Gran Hotel La Cumbre

This hotel has amazing views and a beautiful swimming pool. Breakfast is included. It’s a 20-minute walk from the center of town along some dirt roads.

BOOK NOW to stay in this incredible hotel in La Cumbre

Hostería La Viña

This is a great guesthouse if you’re looking to stay closer to the center of town. It is located within walking distance of the downtown. There is a large yard and outdoor swimming pool, and breakfast is included.

Stay in this centrally located guesthouse in La Cumbre BOOK NOW

Final Thoughts on La Cumbre Córdoba Argentina

La Cumbre is a beautiful little town in the Córdoba province of Argentina that deserves a visit, at least for a day or a weekend. It is surrounded by waterfalls, dams, history, and lots of great food. It is a small town but with a lot of sleeping options so you’re sure to find something that is right for you.

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