El Filo

Information

This is a route along the slopes of the Sierras de los Comechingones (a mountain chain), on the side of the province of San Luis. It starts at the bottom, at the foot of the sierras, by Villa de Merlo. It reaches a height of almost 2200 metres above sea level, where the border between the provinces of Córdoba and San Luis is located.

To do so, you go along a totally asphalted road. From Merlo, you take the Avenida de los Venados and then the Avenida de los Césares, which turns into the Provincial Route 5. Then continue along this route, with steep climbs and curves at times. It is a total of 14.5 km to El Filo.

On the way you pass by several viewpoints with parking, which are at different altitudes and have excellent panoramic views of Merlo and the Conlara Valley:
- Mirador del Águila: has a trail that goes down to a river.
- Mirador del Sol: there are eating facilities, toilets and stalls selling handicrafts.
- Mirador Cuesta del Tren: it is at 1850 metres above sea level.
- Mirador El Filo: there is a stall where they sell food and handicrafts.

After passing El Filo the asphalt ends, but it continues as a gravel/dirt road on the side of the province of Córdoba. My suggestion is to ask about the condition of this road before continuing, as there can be loose stones and at some times it can be snowy or icy. The route then crosses the mountains and arrives at the Córdoba town of La Cruz.