Journey to Los Gigantes | Amazing Hike in Córdoba (Argentina)
Los Gigantes is one of the best hiking spots in the province of Córdoba if not all of Argentina. You can see amazing landscapes from here.
In Argentina, “hay do todo,” there’s a bit of everything, from sea to mountains to desert to glaciers. Even within each province, there is quite a lot of variation. The province of Córdoba is no exception.
While generally known for its mountain towns, I was surprised to find a Cordoban landscape unique to anything else I’ve seen so far. I spent a weekend hiking around the area of Los Gigantes and its incredible rock formations and never-ending landscapes.
Córdoba is one of my favorite provinces in Argentina, and Los Gigantes is easily one of my favorite spots within the province. In this blog post, I’ll recommend where to stay near Los Gigantes, how to reach the Los Gigantes trail, and other activities to do in the area.
Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is a hiking area in the west of the Córdoba province, where you can see incredible landscapes and rock formations. While hiking at Los Gigantes is the main event, there are a ton of other interesting things to do and see in the area, such as visiting the natural wonders around the town of Tanti, and the waterfall in a nature reserve.
The closest town to Los Gigantes is Tanti. Here you’ll find supermarkets and small restaurants. There are also several interesting things to see around the town of Tanti.
Going to Los Gigantes is one of the best day trips or weekend trips from Córdoba Capital. If you want to visit the city, there are also many things to do in Córdoba.
Map of Los Gigantes in Córdoba Province
The map below shows all the spots I recommend visiting while in the area. Los Gigantes is located 90 km west of Córdoba Capital, which is about a 2-hour drive. The closest town to Los Gigantes is called Tanti.
How do you say Los Gigantes?
The first “G” in Gigantes is pronounced like an “H” in English. The second “g” is a hard “g” sound.
You would pronounce Los Gigantes as “Los-Hee-Gahn-Tehs.”
What does Los Gigantes mean?
Los Gigantes means “The Giants.” This area is most likely named this due to the massive rocks in the area.
The Road from Tanti to Los Gigantes
Our main goal for the weekend was to hike at Los Gigantes, but the road along the way also had a lot to offer in terms of views, nature, and constant jaw-dropping scenery. This area is much more dry and desert-like than the rest of the province. Because we went in the middle of winter (mid-July), it was even drier than usual.
Along the dirt road from Tanti to Los Gigantes, you’ll pass through incredible, wide-open nature. In typical Argentine fashion, you’ll also pass by some crosses on hilltops. Because we had our own car, we were able to stop wherever we wanted. I suggest renting a car to see the area better.
Cerro Blanco
There are a few very short “mini hikes” up to see the Cerro Blanco, where you can see a small pond between a few big boulders, and a ton of white rocks.
Mirador Cerro el Durazno
You can also make a quick stop to see the cross at the Mirador Cerro el Durazno. Several minutes down the road you have the option to make another stop and take photos on top of a few massive boulders just sitting around.
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Los Gigantes Hike
Getting started
You can find the start of the Los Gigantes hike at a spot called “Casas Nuevas.” There, you can find information, bathrooms, maps, snacks, and paid parking. While there is only one main path, the start of the hike can seem a bit confusing.
Make sure to ask the person working at the office to point you in the right direction. If you’re lucky, there will be others beginning the hike at the same time, and you can just watch where they go. Several people had recommended we get a guide, however, we found it simple enough to go out on our own.
What the Trail is like
The start of the trail takes you over rocks, surrounded by long yellow weeds blowing in the wind, giving you an “other planet” kind of feeling. After about 15 minutes or so, you’ll begin following the path through massive boulders and rock formations.
You can reach the Cerro Los Mogotes along the Los Gigantes Trail. In order to reach this spot, you’ll need to start heading upwards when you see the trail split.
Come prepared with SPF, water, snacks, and a backpack (I love the Cotopaxi convertible tote). The view at the top will make it all worth it.
All in all, we spent about 6 hours wandering around the area, including a couple of breaks. I suggest going as early as possible so you can fit in as much as possible before the sun starts to set. There is a lot to see!
Use AllTrails to find the hike
I use AllTrails Plus when I go hiking. I highly recommend it as you can download offline maps, and send out “lifelines” to friends and family to let them know exactly where you are. You can rate trails, and get inspired to try new ones. The membership is $35/year, but with this discount, it is just $25 for the year. That’s barely $2/month.
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The Los Gigantes Hill hike is on AllTrails and is a great way to make sure you don’t get lost, and stay on the trail.
What to do in the area near Los Gigantes
Los Gigantes is certainly the highlight of the area, but there is a lot more to see and do in the area.
Cascada los Chorillos
This is the biggest waterfall in the province of Cordoba. To get here, just head south from the center of Tanti, looking for signs that say “Reserva Natural Privada Cascada Los Chorrillos.” We found the hours on Google Maps to be incorrect.
We went on a Monday when it was supposedly closed, only to find it open. Because it’s a private reserve, there is a fee to enter. The path is well-marked, and it’s a fairly easy trail.
Only once you start getting closer to the waterfall, are there more exaggerated ups and downs. The trail is 7km each way, a total of 14km round trip. Therefore, I suggest bringing water, SPF, and snacks.
This is the trail on AllTrails.
La Olla
La Olla is a little spot just outside of Tanti’s town center. There isn’t much to do besides take a small walk, drink water, relax in nature, and look at an old bridge with several porticos. But if you’re looking to relax, this is a great place. In summer, I imagine it would be full of people looking to cool off.
Cascada Tanti
This waterfall is only about 10 minutes from the center of Tanti. Once you park the car, it’s an easy walk down, passing through a very cute cafe. On a hot day, this would be an excellent spot to cool off.
If you’re interested in more adventuring, follow the trail up and to the left. There is a trail that goes along the river, through the trees, and supposedly to another waterfall at Piedras Lisas. We arrived a bit before sunset, so unfortunately we were not able to reach the last waterfall. However, what we did see was really peaceful and calm.
Mocambo Parador
This cafe/restaurant is a fantastic outdoor space with a patio, overlooking the river, with a view of the waterfall. They have beer, cocktails, food options, and of course the standard Argentine cafe options.
Where to stay near Los Gigantes
There are just a few spots to sleep closer to Los Gigantes, including the Reserva Cerro Blanco, which sits just 11km (25 minutes) west of the town of Tanti. However, the majority of guest houses and lodges are in and surrounding Tanti.
Cabañas Pircas del Campo
This is where we stayed during our trip to Los Gigantes. Unfortunately, it was cold and windy while we were there, so we were unable to take advantage of the swimming pool and BBQ grills on site. This place would be ideal in summer.
Posada el Durazno
This is a simple guesthouse just outside of the town of Tanti with free private parking, a terrace, and a restaurant.
BOOK NOW to stay in this nature guesthouse outside of Tanti.
Renting a Car in Argentina
While certain areas of Argentina have great public transportation, others do not. This is an area where I would suggest to rent a car. You can take buses between Tanti and Córdoba Capital, but without a car, it will be much harder to reach destinations such as Los Gigantes or the Reserva Natural Privada Cascada Los Chorrillos.
Other Day Trips from Córdoba
The Córdoba province is full of incredible nature. Here are a few other places I suggest visiting in the area:
- Do the Tren de las Sierras
- La Cumbre
- Villa General Belgrano and La Cumbrecita
- La Falda
- Ansenuza National Park
- Capilla del Monte
Final Thoughts on Los Gigantes
Argentina is full of incredible nature, and Los Gigantes is not to be missed. It is one of the coolest hiking trails in the Córdoba province offering unique views of rock formations that go on for miles. I loved visiting the Los Gigantes area, and I hope you will too.
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