Cerro Colorado is a 3,000 hectares area devoted to cultural and natural preservation located at some 160 kilometres at the North of the City of Córdoba. It is situated at one of the extremities of the mountain range that runs through the northern areas of the Province, and can be reached by National Route N° 9.

These low highlands, whose altitudes fluctuate around 800 metres above sea level, is mainly formed by red sandstones (sedimentary rocks) which were sculpted through the eons by the strength of the wind and the rain into cliffs, shelters and cavities, bestowing this unique highlander landscape with one of its oddest and most spectacular features.

Along its ravines filled with greenery and by the shores of its many streams, which flow in downward direction towards the main water collector of this region, the Tartagos River, can still be seen some remnants of the Chaqueño Serrano forests, containing trees such as the talas, cocos, molles, manzanos del campo, espinillos and piquillines. We will also find some specimens from the flatlands, as carob trees, chañares, mistoles, palm trees and others. The presence of the matos, an exclusive species of this highlands, can be considered as the most relevant feature of this area.

The animal life, greatly diversified in the past and comprising some exclusive species well adapted to the high altitudes of this Chaco regions, has been decreased due to the extinction of many of its species, not to mention those endangered ones. Still, the tourist will be able to observe some mountain lions, corzuelas, wild cats, lampalaguas, reyes del bosque, red iguanas, etc.

These rock paintings have made Cerro Colorado a priceless source of archaeological data and an important testimony of the arrival of the Spaniards to this region as seen by its former occupants. There are some remarkable portraits of the indigenes themselves wearing intricate garments grasping bows and arrows, and there are others depicting the European intruders with full detailing of their outfits and horses. One of these outstanding records, for example, shows the images of llamas, condors and jaguars, which are presently extinct from this areas.

Some reproductions of these drawings are actually exhibited in the field museum of these Natural Reserve, offering to the visitor an explanation of the life style of these ancient dwellers of the region, along with a description of their environment and some stone age material, along with bones and sea shells extracted from that area.

What to See

Archaeological Museum
This Museum can be visited every day of the year, with the sole exception of February 11th when it remains closed due to the last day of the festivities to venerate image of the Patroness Saint of the Town, a revelry that starts nine days earlier with serenades, parties and religious ceremonies, ending up with the down carrying of the Virgin's image from the mountain on a parade lit with torch lights.

Fundación Atahualpa Yupanqui - Foundation
Inside this museum are exhibited many personal effects of the artist as prizes, scores, books and other items. It is also possible to watch at some videos in a hall built purposefully for that matter and to visit the popular library.
Visits: Mondays and Tuesdays from 2:00 to 4:30 pm. From Wednesday to Sunday between 10:00 am and 4:30 pm.

The indigenes that lived in this area well before the arrival of the Spanish conquerors (around the 16th century), used the rocks of the cavities and cliffs to make drawings and signs.

These rock paintings can be found in more than a hundred sites around the Colorado, Veladero and Intihuasi Mountains, as well as in La Quebrada and El Desmonte sites. They used white, black and red colours to make these drawings, which show geometrical, zoomorphic and random patterns along with greatly synthesised human forms.