Walk, drive, or take the cable car up to Salta’s mini mountain, Cerro San Bernardo, for a panoramic view of the city and surrounding mountains. It may be dwarfed by neighboring Andean giants, but Cerro San Bernardo was formed at the same time as the Andes, millions of years ago. Pay close attention to the rocks as you pass; they’re full of fossils.
1,070 steps take you to the summit, but they’re gentle, and most people of reasonable fitness should be able to reach the top within half an hour or so. Salta’s own ‘Hollywood’ sign, decorated with cartoon faces, marks the summit, and you’ll generally see people posing for photos with mate (Argentina’s signature herbal tea) in one hand. Look out for colorful birds as you climb—you may be in the city's heart, but nature still flourishes.
Under 5s travel free.
Count for roughly half an hour to climb the 1,070 steps.
Refreshments are available from the restaurant at the summit.
There’s also a small gift shop for souvenirs.
The start point for the cable car is in San Martín Park, which is easy to reach on foot from the city center. From here the journey takes just 10 minutes to the summit, or half an hour if you’ve chosen to walk. If you’re looking to tick off multiple sites, check out the itineraries for local city tours, as many include Cerro San Bernardo.
The cable car is open daily, from mid-morning to early evening. Salta often attracts visitors in the peak summer season (December to February) but don’t be fooled: the city can get stiflingly hot. Spring or autumn are preferable when the weather is warm and the skies clear. It’s a great place to base yourself during carnival in mid-February or early March), as Northwest Argentina has some of the most traditional celebrations in the country.
If Cerro San Bernardo isn’t enough of a leg stretch, with the Andes on your doorstep, there are plenty of longer hikes to keep adventurers of all activity levels happy. Easily accessible from the city center is Cerro Ala Delta. From here you'll have greener views over Salta’s surrounding countryside and far fewer crowds than at San Bernardo. It’s a popular spot for embarking paragliders. There’s no cable car though!