Argentina Travel Planet

Olta

Olta, La Rioja

At the foot of the sierras, embellishing the already gorgeous landscape with its beauty, the picturesque town of Olta is a must-see while in the province of La Rioja. Tree-lined streets mix with small estates and farmhouses, all surrounded by a rich natural beauty that is the perfect setting for rest and relaxation.

Olta is the capital of the General Belgrano department of La Rioja, and it has a pleasant, temperate climate year round, allowing visitors to enjoy its beauty at any time. It is a natural oasis in the midst of an otherwise very arid province, and has much plant life that is unique to the area; in fact, it is even known as the Oasis de los Llanos Riojanos, due to its proximity to the Sierras de los Llanos.

The city was once an indigenous village, part of the Pazioca nation. In 1589, however, the first Spanish settlements made their way here, and today, the majority of the population is Argentine, with European roots.

Another unique piece of history of Olta is its relationship to the famous tango song called Caminito. The music, written by Juan de Dios Filiberto, was inspired by the famous street in La Boca, Buenos Aires, called Caminito. The lyrics, however, were written by Gabino Coria Peñaloza, whose mother was born in Olta, in 1903, and they were inspired by the small city. The story goes that he was inspired while walking from his accommodation to the house of Maria, a young music teacher in the area, with whom the poet had fallen in love. To avoid scandal, she had been sent away by her family in order to break the relationship.

The trail he followed included some landmarks that are still important in the area, in a 2 kilometer route now called El Caminito de Coria Peñaloza. In order, he passed by the current Olta dam, then La Loma Vaya, the descent down La Cuesta Colorada until the Vallecito and Olta rivers, followed by an ascent up what is now Castro Barros street, crossing the Plaza de Olta on the right side, and finally, walking along the canal, which used to be an aqueduct, until the Loma de la Cruz. Along the way, there are many monuments that commemorate the famous poet and his song.

There are many different activities to be had in Olta, and different people come to the small city for different reasons. Many of the activities are in the surrounding areas, such as horseback riding, trekking, hiking, 4×4s, and mountain biking, all of which can be done with a skillful guide to provide you with information about the area. There are also a number of churches and other spiritual spaces, and itineraries can be found for religious circuits.

Local food includes the standard Argentine asado, as well as homemade breads and wines, and sweets and nuts that are local to the region. It is even possible to visit family homes, learning first hand about the local culture and customs. Accommodation can be also found in this Argentina travel guide.

The town is great to visit at any time of the year, and has a variety of accommodation options. RN 79 is the best way to get there; the town is 174 kilometers from La Rioja Capital, driving.