Cabra Corral Reservoir

Cabra Corral, formally the Embalse General Belgrano, flooded a valley of the Juramento river in the 1970s and created the largest body of water in Salta province, some hundred square kilometres of blue set among dry hills and cactus slopes. It is where Salteños go for water: sailing and windsurfing on the open reservoir, jet skis, dorado and pejerrey fishing, and rafting on the Juramento below the dam where the released water runs through a canyon of red rock. The bridge over the arm of the lake is used for bungee jumping, one of the higher commercial jumps in the country. A handful of lodges and campsites sit along the shore, and the drive out passes through the Valle de Lerma farmland.

What you actually see

• The open reservoir - a wide blue lake among dry cactus hills.
• The rafting river - the Juramento canyon below the dam wall.
• The bungee bridge - commercial jumps from the road bridge over the lake.
• The fishing - dorado and pejerrey from boats and shore.

When to go

September to April for warm weather and full activity; summer afternoons are hot and can bring storms. Water levels drop noticeably in dry years, exposing muddy shorelines. Weekends are busy with Salta day trippers.

Honest expectations

This is a working reservoir rather than a scenic natural lake, and levels fluctuate. Shoreline facilities are basic and spread out. Everything on the water costs money, and getting there without a car is awkward.

Nearby

Salta city lies north; Cafayate and the Calchaquí valleys are southwest.