San Javier

The Sierra de San Javier rises directly behind Tucumán, and the road that climbs it passes from sugar cane through dense subtropical forest to open ridge in less than half an hour. At the top stands the Cristo Bendicente, a stone statue of Christ some twenty-eight metres tall set on the crest, arms raised over the valley, begun in the 1940s and long a landmark visible from the city below. The real attraction is the view: on clear days the whole Tucumán plain spreads out to the east, the city a grid of pale blocks with the mountains falling away in green folds. The university maintains a biological reserve on the range, protecting yungas forest with walking trails, and the ridge road has viewpoints, cafes and paragliding launch points.

What you actually see

• The Cristo Bendicente - the tall stone statue on the ridge above the city.
• The plain view - Tucumán and the lowlands spread out to the east.
• The forest reserve - yungas trails maintained by the university.
• The paragliders - launches from the ridge on good days.

When to go

April to November for the clearest air; summer haze and afternoon storms often erase the view entirely. Early morning is best. Weekends bring heavy local traffic on the narrow road.

Honest expectations

Cloud and haze hide the view on a good share of days, and the statue itself is weathered and modest up close. The road is narrow and busy at weekends. There is little to do beyond looking, walking a trail and having a coffee.

Nearby

Villa Nougués sits on the same range; Tucumán city is twenty minutes below.