CIRCUIT OF THE CENTRAL ZONE

The central zone of San Luis offers the charm of a region of the sierra crossed by rivers, streams, valleys and ravines. An adequate scenery to practice recreational and sport activities, or merely a place where the traveller can find relaxation from the most unusual natural landscapes of all the Province.

A modern road network links each of the towns that make up this traditional circuit, frequented by the inhabitants of the zone and by foreign visitors as well. It will take you past summerhouses against the backdrop of the sierras that offer an unending landscape filled with natural wonders, historical sites and cultural attractions in each one of the localities that make up the route.

It is also called Circuito Serrano Grande, or the Big Sierra Circuit.

It starts from San Luis at the kilometre 0, at the intersection of the streets of San Martín and Junín, one of the corners of the Square that keeps the memory of Coronel Juan Pascual Pringles. The route goes eastward across the City and, when leaving it; the street becomes the Ruta Provincial No 20. But before departing from the City, the traveller must not neglect to take a tour to the Vivero Forestal or Forestry Nursery, today known as the Parque de las Naciones Park of Nations.

THE JUANA KOSLAY VILLAGE
At a distance of 8 kms from the Capital, Juana Koslay is a dynamic locality that counts with the basic services for the tourist. It bears the name of the first native that, along with the Spaniard Gómez Isleño, gave birth to the lineage of the "Sanluisians", or "Puntanos" as they would rather be called. In the main Square there is a monument paying tribute to her memory.

This Municipality includes the ancient Village El Chorrillo, initially populated by artisans that made the bricks used in the construction of almost the totality of the walls for the buildings in the zone.

San Roque comes next. A village at the foot of the highlands where the traveller will find restaurants, barbecues, stores of regional goods, service stations, a supermarket and candy shops equipped with dancing halls. Furthermore, a picturesque forestry park and appropriate places for recreation and outdoor rest.

One of the main attractions is the Complejo Polideportivo "Ave Fénix", whose grounds are dedicated not only to sports, but to conventions, congresses and music recitals as well.

When leaving the village, on the kilometre 12 of the Ruta Provincial No 20, an option arises from the fountain's roundabout, turning to the left, entering the Ruta Provincial No 18.

THE POTRERO DE LOS FUNES VILLAGE
This is a typical village of the Highlands that took its name from the grounds where it stands, which were the property of Don Juan Funes, during the late days of the Viceroyalty. To reach this bucolic place the traveller must go through the Los Cóndores Ravine, an awesome formation of granite surrounded by dense vegetation. There is the possibility to get out from the transfer vehicle and climb up to the Mirador del Condor Viewpoint and thus obtain an unforgettable sight of the place. At 18 kms from San Luis.

The place is equipped with an infrastructure and services of first class level. In its surroundings you will find some small hostels and many places among the woods that will be ideal for picnics and excursions.

The best of all the lodgings, preceding the dike with the same name, is the Hotel Internacional Potrero de los Funes, were the visitor can engage in activities such as motorbike cross, mountain bike, four wheel drive circuits, canoeing or travelling on speedboats, not to mention the possibility of diving in search of carps and atherines.

From here, horse-riding tours to the charming ravine of León Colgado can be easily arranged.

EL VOLCAN
One Kilometre before closing the circle around the lake, the traveller will turn to the left to arrive to another spot of insurmountable beauty: El Volcán or The Volcano.

Before entering the village, the traveller must first go though 5 kms that give the impression of being watercolour pictures speckled by local vegetation, goatherds and numerous streams that run across the gorges. In the course of this trip, the traveller will find Estancia Grande, a seemingly place to camp, and four kms ahead, facing El Volcán, the most traditional corner for the Puntanos' holidays opens its arms to welcome the visitors.

A river with the same name crosses this small village: at its shores can be found barbecues, restaurants, hostelries, bars and houses for rent. The most concurred place is La Hoya, a public bath resort placed in a rocky gorge with natural pools.

Another river beach is the Salto Colorado, and perhaps the most compulsory mini-excursion available is the one that goes to the cave of the Virgen de la Guarda. In the proximities of El Volcán stands the dike of Cruz de Piedra, on the river Cuchi-Corral. Now it holds twelve million cubic m of water, within a basin of 156 square kms.