Petrified Forest La Leona, near El Calafate

The tour begins with a walk through a unique area where it's possible to observe fossils and petrified tree trunks, making it ideal for those who enjoy outdoor activities and have an adventurous spirit.

A moderate level of physical fitness is required, as the route includes approximately 3 hours of walking intermittently on uneven terrain.

We left El Calafate via Provincial Route No. 5, traveling 33 km eastward. Then, we headed north on National Route No. 40, covering another 67 km. Along the way, we could admire Lake Argentino, the Santa Cruz River, the La Leona River and its beautiful valley, as well as panoramic views of the Andes Mountains, including the imposing Mount Fitz Roy.

We make a brief 15-minute stop at the historic Hotel La Leona before continuing west, skirting Lake Viedma for another 10 km. We then arrive at the foot of Cerro Los Hornos, at Estancia Santa Teresita, around 11:30 am.

From this point, we have our first view of the impressive depression in the terrain where the petrified tree trunks are located. We begin our exploratory walk, during which we observe a large number of petrified tree trunks scattered across the surface, some with diameters of up to 1.20 meters. These trunks are evidence of a period when the climate was different and allowed for the development of abundant flora.

Midway through the hike, we take a break for lunch. During the walk, it's also possible to occasionally find fossil remains of different types of dinosaurs. The area is protected from the wind by the natural depression in the terrain and by Cerro Los Hornos, offering a dry and generally pleasant climate, characteristic of the steppe zone.