Chilecito

Chilecito is the second town of La Rioja, a quiet place of vineyards, olive groves and walnut trees in a valley at the foot of the Sierra de Famatina. At the start of the twentieth century a cableway was built from the town up to the La Mejicana gold mine, at more than four thousand metres; its stations still stand, and the first one is now a museum. To the west, the Ruta 40 climbs the Cuesta de Miranda, a road cut through red cliffs on its way to Villa Unión.

It is a one-night stop on the Ruta 40 between Talampaya and the north, towards Belén, Cafayate and Salta. The cableway museum, a 4x4 up the Famatina towards the old mine for those with time, and the Torrontés of the local bodegas make the stay. The Cuesta de Miranda, at the start or the end of the day, is one of the great stretches of the whole road.

Spring and autumn are best. Summer is very hot in the valley; winter is mild by day.