Las Calles has a distinctive landscape setting: the Sierras Grandes, Las Rabonas stream and Río Chico frame the town. It is also home to a chapel dating from 1949, an old pulpería with a liqueur-making tradition, and trout offerings at Don Clemente. If you choose a destination based on its landscape, local history and regional products, Las Calles offers specific points of interest in each of these areas.

Landscape and the town’s historical role

The landscape of Las Calles is shaped by three named features: the town lies framed by the Sierras Grandes, Las Rabonas stream and Río Chico. The mountains, stream and river together form part of the town’s setting. This gives the area a clearly identifiable geographical character, rather than describing its surroundings simply as a natural landscape.

History is also part of what defines the town: Las Calles was originally a crossroads for travelers crossing the Camino Real al Alto Perú. This former role adds a historical perspective to the view of the landscape. It shows Las Calles as a place whose description encompasses both its surrounding natural features and its role in the past for travelers.

Chapel, pulpería and liqueur-making tradition

A picturesque chapel dating from 1949 is considered a landmark of Las Calles. It is a tangible point of reference in the town’s cultural landscape. Another historical reference is Eben Ezer: the shop is located in an old pulpería and is the valley’s first artisanal liqueur shop. It sells sweets, cakes and liqueurs. In this way, the building’s historical character is combined with a present-day offering that includes cakes and sweets as well as liqueurs. If you are also interested in regional products when choosing a destination, you will find a distinctive culinary highlight here.

Trout farming and activities at Don Clemente

At Don Clemente, trout are central both as farmed fish and as food. A self-guided tour takes you along the ponds where trout are raised. Fly fishing is also possible, provided you bring your own equipment. This requirement is part of planning the activity: the tour is self-guided, while fly fishing requires you to bring your own equipment.

There are also different ways to enjoy Don Clemente’s trout offerings. Don Clemente sells smoked or pickled trout; frozen, packaged trout are also available. This means there are several options involving the same product: a tour of the fish ponds, fly fishing subject to the equipment requirement above, and several ways to purchase trout. These distinctions can help you consider separately whether you are interested in the farming, the activity or the trout products.

More things to explore in Departamento San Alberto

The wider destination of Departamento San Alberto also has cultural and natural attractions in Nono. The “Casas con historia” walking tour includes typical adobe houses, general stores and a chapel dating from 1908. The Museo Rocsen in Nono displays more than 55,000 objects from around the world and recreates scenes from different eras. The two attractions have different focuses: the walking tour highlights historic buildings and shops in the townscape, while the museum features an extensive collection and recreated scenes. These examples are in Departamento San Alberto; they are not features of Las Calles.

Hiking trails in Departamento San Alberto also offer specific points of comparison. The Sendero del Arroyo follows Arroyo Los Sanjuaninos for about five kilometers and can be hiked independently or with an authorized guide. The Sendero del Empedrado starts in the paraje of Algarrobo and ends in the Altas Cumbres; it is eight kilometers long and is rated moderate to moderately difficult in some sections. The Sendero del Arroyo’s approximately five kilometers can be compared with the Sendero del Empedrado’s eight-kilometer route. The stated difficulty of the Empedrado is an additional factor to consider when planning; for the Sendero del Arroyo, the option of going independently or with an authorized guide is explicitly mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Ciénaga de Allende, Los Hornillos, Mina Clavero, Villa Cura Brochero, Panaholma.

Back to the main travel guide: Departamento San Alberto.