Discover new landscapes of Uruguay: Sierra de Minas

Sierras de Minas offer us a landscape of undulating lands, green vegetation and great natural wealth. It is worthwhile to suspend for a moment the coast and enjoy this destination in Uruguay.

The sierras take their name from the city of Minas, capital of the department of Lavalleja and the birthplace of the liberator Juan Antonio Lavalleja. The city stands out nationally for its touristic surroundings, its famous festivals and its gastronomic culture. Here are some suggestions of places to visit in the sierras.

The Penitente Cascade

Located approximately 30 kilometers north of the city of Minas, you can take route 8 north from Minas and then turn off on route 12 and continue until you reach the entrance to the Salto del Penitente Park, where the waterfall is located.

The Salto del Penitente Park is a protected natural area that offers a spectacular environment and diverse outdoor activities. In addition to the waterfall, the park has hiking trails, picnic areas and viewpoints from where you can enjoy panoramic views of the Sierras de Minas. It is open every day and there is an entrance fee.

Salto del Penitente is a waterfall of approximately 30 meters high and its name is due to its shape, which resembles a penitent on his knees. It is a popular place for adventure sports such as rappelling and zip-lining, as well as bird watching and photography.

Cascada del Penitente en Sierrasde Minas
The Penitente cascade

Arequita Hill

It is the emblematic rock formation of the region. You can hike to the top and enjoy a panoramic view.

From up there you have a total view of the Sierras de Minas and its most outstanding places: the Valencia Mine, the Buddhist Temple, Cerro del Verdún, the Arequita, the Campanero, the Cerro del Cura, to name a few. In addition, inside the hill there is a cave that you can explore.

Arequita en Sierras de Minas
Arequita

Salus Natural Reserve

It has 100 hectares and is composed of a forest with various native species and trails of ferns and wild rose bushes that create a dreamy environment. One of its main attractions is the mythical Fuente del Puma.

If we do a little history we have to go back to the early nineteenth century, when Villa de la Concepción de Minas was founded, with the contribution of 41 families from Galicia and Asturias attracted by the belief that in the area there were mineral wealth. 12 km from the Villa, in a hidden place in the Coronilla mountain range, there was a source of mineral water and in 1892 these lands were acquired by a group of entrepreneurs. The company, led by Luis Andreoni, was called Fuentes de la Coronilla and later became the Salus mineral water bottling company.

The reserve is part of the Wildlife Refuge Program, managed by the non-governmental organization Vida Silvestre Uruguay, and contributes to the care of the environment of the mineral water source. Guided tours for groups of more than 10 people can be arranged through their website.

Parque Salus
Salus Natural Reserve

Crows Lagoon

This place is located about 10 km north of the city of Minas and is called Laguna but it is a widening of the Santa Lucia River at that point and the large number of vultures found in the area (the locals confuse them with crows).

Laguna de los Cuervos en Sierras de Minas
Crows Lagoon

Hilo de la Vida Valley

Eight kilometers from Minas is the Valley of the Thread of Life, a combination of amazing archaeological remains, surprising mountain scenery and a special energy.

It is a valley that owes its name to a water course that meanders through the mountains, like the thread of life itself.

The cairns or stone mounds were built by indigenous groups on the northwest slope of the hill. The datings based on the geological study of the stones of a whitish color, determined in 1000 years its antiquity.

There are remains of almost eighty mounds, following the line of the sun or marking lines that follow the cardinal points.

The Valley of the Thread of Life is accessed by a guided tour that lasts between one and a half and two hours. In that time you walk 1,800 meters, starting from a height of 237 meters and ascending about 1,000 meters from where you have a total panoramic view of the Sierras de Minas and its most outstanding places: the Mina Valencia, the Buddhist Temple, Cerro del Verdún, the Arequita, the Campanero, the Cerro del Cura, to name a few.

Hilo de la vida
Hilo de la Vida Valley

Villa Serrana

This charming villa is a popular tourist destination in the Sierras de Minas. It is a quiet and picturesque place surrounded by nature. You can stroll around the village, enjoy the panoramic views and explore the nearby trails.

It is located 25 kilometers northeast of Minas, between the valleys of the Penitente and Marmarajá streams.

One of the characteristic constructions of Villa Serrana is the reservoir of the Miraflores stream and the inflow of the La Leona gorge, a large mirror of calm and deep water that reflects the surrounding landscape in the center of the valley and drains through the dam designed by architect Stewart Vargas.

Villa Serrana en Sierras de Monas
Villa Serrana

Hiking and outdoor activities

The Sierras de Minas are ideal for outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking and mountain biking. There are several trails and routes that you can take to enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Remember that the Sierras de Minas offer a wide variety of landscapes and activities, so it is advisable to consult local guides or tourist information centers for updated information on the options available and the best routes to explore.