Cafayate Trail

Dogs Off-leash

Features Views

The trailhead is adjacent to a family farm that may be confused as the starting point. If you are at or near the house the trail is west about 100 meters.

Park your car near the point where the gravel road crosses the irrigation ditch then cross the river. The trailhead can be found next to the fenced area. All along the way are memorials used for the twelve-stations of the cross ascent by the local parish.

The first section is a very steep grind up a well-marked but rocky trail. Goat herds and horses can periodically be encountered, along with farmers on a journey from the extreme backcountry. There are some good views north towards the Piatelli vineyards and the bodega of San Pedro de Yacochuya.

After the steep section, the trail continues upward but at a more measured pace. Views east across the valley appear and are then occluded as you ascend through a small canyon. After gaining the peak of the canyon at the south end, the trail continues along and across rocks with a full view east along the way. The metal cross, about 50 feet high, comes into view at the end and is the objective of the hike.

Views from "The Cross" include the City of Cafayate, sweeping views north, east, and south across the Calchaqui Valley, and west up the Colorado River trace.

Past "The Cross" there are a variety of paths used by local farmers and gauchos to make their way to their homes and/or land. These paths will runs for miles into the back country, and it is easy to get lost past this point. Perhaps a later update will occur.

Cardones (cactus) are everywhere along with various flowering plants in season. Goats and/or horses use the small canyon as a grazing spot.