Walk in a petrified forest
Walk through an other-worldly barren rockscape to discover the petrified La Leona forest in Argentine Patagonia.
Millions of years ago, a forest thrived on what are now bare hills and plains fringing shores of Lake Viedma in the Argentina lake district. Over time, it became buried in sediment or volcanic ash, and the wood of the fallen trees was mineralised. Gradually these fossilised remains were exposed, and now you can take a walk to encounter the somewhat haunting petrified logs – along with dinosaur fossils – exposed to the open air and strewn over the barren ground. Just imagine how different the landscape was then, when a completely different climate was in charge.
To reach the start of your guided walk at la Leona you will take a scenic drive with views over the Fitz Roy massif and minty-fresh Lago Argentino, before reaching a surreal lunar rockscape of silvery boulders, natural sculptures and cliffs contorted by the wind. The petrified logs are scattered around in a natural depression sheltered from the gales, and remind you just how much the surface of the earth has changed over the millennia.
Ready to start planning?
Tell us where you want to go, and we’ll take it from there. No obligation, no sales pitch – just a conversation with someone who knows the region inside out.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Rosie embarked on a year-long backpacking trip across Latin America. She is excited to share her knowledge and experiences with others.
Finn discovered his passion for travel on an extensive 18-month trip to Latin America, experiencing the vibrant Carnaval in Rio, the end-of-the-world city of Ushuaia, trekking the Andes and volunteering on the Galápagos Islands.
Maggie visited Latin America on her first backpacking trip when she was 19. Since then, she has taken every opportunity to travel, and has managed to explore a lot of the region in subsequent trips.
Gary discovered what he had been missing with his first foray into the wilds of Latin America. In his role as Product Manager, he combines this personal obsession with years of industry experience to help ensure that travellers will fall for the region every bit as much as he has.
