Gualjaina: a paradise in the desert See map

Gualjaina is a town in the steppe north of the province of Chubut. From there you can make circuits to meet attractive archaeological, paleontological or natural formations known as Piedra Parada, among others. It is a new option for adventure tourism. It is very near Esquel and El Bolsón.

Gualjaina, is located in the northwest of the province of Chubut, in the Central Plateau Region, Department Cushamen. The town of Gualjaina is located in the Valle Costa del Lepá and Valle del Gualjaina, at the Lepá riverside. It is characterized by much of its length an area of farms to 526 meters above the sea level.

Sunset in Piedra Parada valley.

In Gualjaina you can make trips to the mountains, the valley Piedra Parada, the canyon of vulture or sport fishing in the Chubut river.

The particular feature of Gualjaina is that it has a lush grove of poplars and willows that abound in the area with the plateau around and admire the stunning Sierras de Gualjaina.

The historical record points the founding of the town on January 5, 1928. There is a legend that the name is related to the disappearance in the river of a little mapuche girl named Guajira. Not finding her, the mother began to look after her desperate, and ran through the river shouting her name, with the pass of the time there was an echo of voices, similar to ... Gualjaina. Although the etymology of the name corresponds to the tehuelche language "meeting of waters", referring to the three rivers that cross the town "Lepá", "Gualjaina" and "Chubut".

Directions

The main access is located southwest of the town, from the National Route 40, take Provincial Route No. 12 with 65 kilometers of gravel. A few kilometers from Esquel airport, to the right, coming from that city. Total travel: Esquel - Gualjaina is 87 kilometers.

The second alternative is to the northwest, from El Maitén by Provincial Route No. 35, gravel. Where they will travel 60 km to Cushamen and 90 km more until Gualjaina.

From National Route No. 40 south access, by Provincial Route No. 14 (gravel), an area known as Paraje El Pescado. Total distance: Route 40 - Gualjaina. 110 km approx.

Fourth option, access east from the town of Paso del Sapo, along Provincial Route N º 12 (gravel), going on this tour through the majestic valley of Piedra Parada and accompanied by the Chubut River. Total distance: Paso del Sapo - Gualjaina. 100 km

Places to visit

Some of the paintings you can see in the area.

Valley of Piedra Parada

Very close to Gualjaina is the Protected Natural Area Piedra Parada Valley, a place that holds attractions that include tourist, archaeological, paleontological, historical and cultural activities.

It is located 42 km from Gualjaina on Provincial Road No. 12, where eaves are cave paintings, petrified logs and monumental rock formations, giving a unique appeal to this valley crossed by the Chubut river.

The standing stone, is a unique rock formation 100 meters base and a height of 260 meters emerging solitary on the banks of the Chubut River, in the midst of a vast plain. Studies conducted by professionals from the University of La Plata determined that this stone was the center of a volcano, extinct for thousands of years, that expelled lava within 30 kilometers.

The valley of Piedra Parada has a length of 95 kilometers, located between Gualjaina and Paso del Sapo, the stone is within 42 kilometers of Gualjaina.

Its natural features made this a warm fate of native peoples, allowing to consider it a major source of objects and tools are added to various sites with cave paintings, all elements of great anthropological value. In addition to the environmental conditions of extreme aridity combined with the geological process that gave rise, fueling expectations also become a point of paleontological interest.

Canyon of the Vulture

Is one of the main canyons where its also an excavation done in 1979 by a group of geologists, who settled among other findings, checking the existence of peoples with an age of 5100 years in this area.

Canyon of the Vultures.

There are also spectacular rock formations known as a stone carving of course that has given the name of the Virgin of Vulture, along with others such as Elf of Vulture and Indian Face. The trail was used in the early twentieth century by people crossing in carts pulled by mules to the Paraje El Mirador, toward Ingeniero Jacobacci.

Conjugated wealth of imagination and spirit, with rock art is at the eaves by prints, paintings and drawings. Marine fossils and petrified logs are added to this great reservoir of the origin of the planet, where you can also enjoy activities such as mountain biking, horseback riding, hiking, fishing, climbing to the interests of those who come to the area.

Circuit La Ventana hill - Placa del Malacara

This circuit is located a few kilometers from the town. From La Ventana hill you can see the Gualjaina Valley, as well as the confluence of the rivers Lepá and Gualjaina. At mere 5 km to the confluence of the Gualjaina and Chubut rivers. Are the three rivers that surround the town.

In the place there is a plaque that commemorates John Daniel Evans and his three companions, that a few days after they were ambushed in 1884 in the Valley of the Martyrs. The skill of the horse Malacara managed to save the life of the sole survivor of the attack of the Chief Foyel Lancers.

Source and photos of Gualjaina Municipality. Mail: munigualjaina@yahoo.com.ar - Phone: (02945) 479106