Apple orchards
And walnuts.
Miguel — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Darío Alpern — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Miguel — CC BY-SA 2.0 · FROSI, Rubem A. M. — CC BY 3.0 · Enrique Guardia — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Richi brunner — CC BY-SA 3.0
Calingasta is a small town in a valley among the Andean foothills of western San Juan province, on the left bank of the Los Patos river near the source of the San Juan river. Its name probably means «village of Calin», after an old local chief, and it is the centre of a farming, mining and tourist area. The valley forms a green oasis of poplars, walnut trees and apple orchards amid bare, coloured mountains; among its best-known sights nearby are the Cerro de los Siete Colores and the rock formation of El Alcázar, and the Los Patos river is run by rafters. Close by are the town of Barreal, the Pampa El Leoncito plain and El Leoncito National Park with its observatories. Wandering is free; it is reached from San Juan city or from Mendoza along National Route 149, and summer days are hot and nights cool.
And walnuts.
Rafting.
Seven Colours hill.
National Route 149, western San Juan province
The Cerro de los Siete Colores and El Alcázar, plus Barreal and El Leoncito National Park with its observatories.