Cañón del Atuel — San Rafael to El NihuilLoop.
Distance
180 km
Duration
1 day
Climb
900 m
Cañón del Atuel — San Rafael to El Nihuil Loop.
A relaxed day loop from San Rafael into the Cañón del Atuel — a 50km gorge of wind-sculpted red rock strung between hydroelectric reservoirs. Lakeside dams, riverside grills, and a windswept altiplano lake make this one of Mendoza's finest easy rides, all on good tarmac.
Quick facts
SurfacePaved
Distance180 km
Days1
Total climb900 m
DifficultyModerate
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The route.
San RafaelStart · Start in San Rafael, Mendoza's southern wine and oasis city. Fuel up and head west on RP173 toward the Atuel river dams.
Los Reyunos DamScenic Point · Turquoise hydro reservoir ringed by red rock, popular for watersports. The road hugs the shoreline before climbing into the canyon country.
Valle Grande ReservoirPhoto Spot · The mouth of the Cañón del Atuel — a 50km gorge of wind-sculpted red and ochre rock. Rafting hub; riverside parrillas serve grilled lunch.
El Nihuil ReservoirScenic Point · Top of the canyon at 1,300m — a huge windswept lake famous for windsurfing. The RP180 loops back toward San Rafael across open steppe.
San RafaelEnd · Close the loop back in San Rafael. Reward the ride with a glass of local Malbec.
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