Salto del Penitente

The Salto del Penitente is a waterfall on the Penitente stream in the hills of the Cuchilla Grande in Lavalleja Department, and with a drop of about 60 metres it is the highest waterfall in Uruguay. The stream has worn the drop over millions of years, and around it lie ravines, rock outcrops and hill grassland. The origin of the name is uncertain; the commonest story says that a penitent once lived in or passed through the area. The park around the fall, of about 45 hectares, began with a gift of some four hectares by Francisco Ferber to the departmental government of Lavalleja. A restaurant on a rock outcrop near the fall gives views of the cascade, and the park also has shelters to stay in, a campsite and activities such as hiking, horse riding, climbing, abseiling, a zip line and mountain biking.

Background

Salto del Penitente, whose Spanish name means the Penitent's Waterfall, is a waterfall that lies in the Lavalleja Department of Uruguay.

Source: Wikipedia, "Salto del Penitente"

The landscape

• The fall - about 60 metres, the highest in Uruguay.
• The zip line - one of the park's activities, with climbing, abseiling and horse riding.
• The restaurant viewpoint - on a rock outcrop near the fall, looking onto the cascade.
• The Cuchilla Grande hills - ravines, rock outcrops and hill grassland around the park.

When to go

April to November. Half a day.

Practical notes

The fall lies inside a park with a restaurant, shelters, a campsite and organised activities.

Nearby

Minas is to the west, and Villa Serrana to the north-east.

Key facts