parque salto del penitente

Do not think you'll be witnessing any tremendously important water fall....it is more like a gushing flow of white water through rocks, but it is pretty, enclaved in between rock formations and attractive for photo taking provided the day is nice. You get there from Ruta 8, there is a sign a few kms. out of the city of Minas you won't miss. There you turn right into a gravel road, kind of a bad one at parts.... but not terrible. If you have a regular car, you might need more caution to avoid rough or loose gravel. If you have a 4WD, good for you. If you do not take this turn, you can take an alternative turn, a few kms. ahead on Ruta 8. Just pass this first sign and look for the second entrance. There is one further ahead (a few more kms), and as a landmark, you will have right at the corner a construction, a bar or a restaurant of some sort, cannot be missed, it is right on the corner and right now it is painted yellow. You can turn there and not only the road to Parque Salto del Penitente is shorter (about 8 kms shorter), it is much better condition and much more scenic! You can take this road or the previous one in, and the other one out. Once in Parque del Penitente, they charge about USD1 (yes one!) as a contribution to the park. Not sure if this is per car, or per person. I was traveling solo, so that was U$ 1. There are quite steep (not too bad) stone stairs leading to the water....no railings. If you don't feel for going down (and back up!) or have difficulty, etc. there is a look out platform with very good view...and under it a restaurant with also very good view. A small but tasty menu, were depending on availability they offer a boar hot pot which is perfect on a winter day. There are horseback and zip-lining activities for all ages. (only on weekends and holidays). Bathrooms are okay, not fancy, but okay. Terrain is uneven, if someone were to be on a wheelchair, they have partial access... terrain is okay provided they have help to be pushed. There is an access ramp on to the lookout, however no access to the restaurant below (stairs) and a un-levelled access to the bathroom.

My review may be biased after having seen some really massive waterfalls / attractions of this kind, elsewhere across the world. However, I still say the landscape and desolate stretches of road make it up somewhat. Soon after you leave the town of Minas behind, continuing on Ruta 8 saw us take a right turn which put us on a dirt track. 16 kms of grasslands, small hills and grazing cattle. The sense of isolation one gets adds to the experience. The road is badly dug up in some places and crosses narrow bridges, so a little caution while driving would be required. However on the way back we realized there was a shorter route to take us back to Ruta 8, the highway. Look for the signboard soon as you exit Salto del Penitente on your return. The park itself has few attractions like rope ways, horse riding and a small shop selling curios and restaurant. There is also dormitory style accommodation which could be ideal for small groups but not families, although we never tried that. The falls itself can be approached by a semi-steep walk down well made steps and makes for a good short walk. Overall, a nice drive while you are in Minas but not worth a trip in itself.

Visit if you are in the area. Nothing to make a special trip to. You pay very little to park and then there are steps to a small area where you can swim.

I really liked the green area and the little waterfall. I think it is a little scary for old people or people who are afraid of heights.

Has a great restaurant and good area for hiking. But the spot itself is over-crowded as easy to access.

If you are looking to go somewhere where the nature and simplicity are by the hand...THIS is the place!!! Villa Serrana and Salto del Penitente are going to make you fall in Love from the place, people and the quiet and simple life....Best to go in spring if you like the riding horses or bikes around, summer if you love to meet interesting new people, Fall if you need some quiet time and winter if you are looking to snuggle next to the fire and read a great book looking to an amazing view!

Es la segunda vez que visitamos Salto del Penitente y nos encanta, esta vuelta fuimos sólo a almorzar al parador, con una vista excelente , a tener cuidado si van con niños por las barandas, se come muy rico, pedimos sándwich caliente , bruschetta de jabalí, raviolon de jabalí y un strogonoff de jabalí más una cerveza por $1135. Precios muy acordes, la única contra es que solo aceptan efectivo. Lugar increíble donde se transmite mucha energía y mucha paz. Para no dejar de visitar.

Muy buen lugar para pasar el dia, buenas vistas, buen restaurant-parrillada,entretenimientos y aire muy puro de las sierras.

Para quien gusta de paseos al aire libre, este es un muy bonito lugar, donde se puede caminar bastante, subiendo y bajando por senderos, con vistas naturales excelentes.

naturaleza en todo su explendor .situado a 25 kms de la ciudad de minas . departamento de lavalleja ...hermoso lugar , agua cristalina que baja entre las piedras que componen el cerro , imperdible lugar , si uds. visita uruguay con todos los servicio a pocos metros del salto del penitente

Gracias a la sugerencia de unos amigos pudimos conocer este parque con unas vistas maravillosas y un muy buen y acogedor restaurant.Un lindo lugar para alejarse no mucho de Montevideo

Es un bonito lugar para encontrarse con la naturaleza en un cien por ciento,el ruiso del agua cayendo y esas piedras que hacen que la energia fluya ,imperdible de verdad.

Es un lugar con muy buena estructura, te reciben amablemente y te explican muy bien la visita que puedes realizar, es hermoso el paisaje, bajar entre las piedras y ver la caida de agua es una sensación amravillosa, puedes descansar a orillas del arroyo y el sonido relajante de las pequeñas caidas de agua te proporcionan una energia incrible, hay actividades como rapel y tirolesa, ideal para niños y adolescentes y vistas hermosas para los adultos.

Nos gustó mucho el parque. Pudimos hacer Senderismo, Tirolesa y descansar en un entorno natural muy agradable

Se peden ver lagartos teros , buitres , los sempiternos horneros , el salto de agua en si no es demasiado espectacular , pero si es un contraste con el paisaje que lo rodea.