Around Pino Hachado, Andean landscapes, border history, and the Laguna Verde route take center stage. The snowshoe hike is nearby; Cuchillo Curá is a separate topic within the broader Picunches travel destination.

Snowshoe Route to Laguna Verde

The Laguna Verde route starts and ends at the Vialidad Nacional camp on Ruta Nacional 242, near Paso Internacional Pino Hachado. It is about seven kilometers long, has a cumulative elevation gain of 449 meters, and takes approximately five and a half hours. Distance, total ascent, and duration answer different planning questions; together, they give a more specific impression of the scope of the tour than a single distance figure. The trail passes through forests and over Andean ridges to Laguna Verde; araucarias, stunted lengas, and ñires grow along the route.

The route is considered moderately demanding physically and not very challenging technically. Technical difficulty and physical exertion are two different measures: despite the low technical demands, the physical challenge is considered moderate. The seasonally scheduled snowshoe experience is intended for people who want to try snowshoe trekking; snowshoes and authorized guides are required. Check current availability before planning.

Border History and Landscapes in the Paso Area

A route in the Paso Internacional Pino Hachado area passes traces of Indigenous populations and obsidian quarries. In the northern part of the Pino Hachado area are the old customs house and a historic trading area between Argentine and Chilean residents. These features represent different historical perspectives: archaeological traces along a route and exchange in the border region.

In the Paso Internacional Pino Hachado area, meltwater feeds a mallín and forms a small stream that flows into Arroyo Aichol. Along with forests and Andean ridges, this adds a specific water feature to the landscape description.

Picunches: the Cuchillo Curá Cave System

Within the broader Picunches travel destination, the Cuchillo Curá cave system is considered a natural and scientific heritage site of great value. The protected area was established in 2003, primarily to protect the cave system. It comprises four main caves: Cueva de los Cabritos, Del Arenal, Del Templo, and Del Gendarme. In addition to branching galleries and various bodies of water, it includes more than five kilometers of connected galleries, walkways, and halls. The protected area preserves more than 20 endemic species of troglobitic fauna.

The surface area can preferably be explored on foot; more experienced visitors can mountain bike there. Entry to the cave system itself is currently prohibited because visitor safety cannot be guaranteed. Scrapers of various shapes, arrowheads, flakes, and pottery fragments—probably from vessels or pots—have been found in the cave area. Reddish rock paintings discovered in one cave were probably created by Tehuelche inhabitants of the region.

For the broader travel overview: Picunches.