El Sosneado Hot Springs and Hotel Ruins
Discover the wild beauty of El Sosneado: natural hot springs and haunting hotel ruins in the majestic Andes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Best road conditions
El Sosneado Hot Springs and Hotel Ruins
Best Time
Best road conditions
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Discover the wild beauty of El Sosneado: natural hot springs and haunting hotel ruins in the majestic Andes.
"The valley has a very special energy that is hard to define. Highly recommended!"
🚗 4x4 Essential
A 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended for the rough, unsealed road. Don't attempt in a small rental car!
🎒 Pack It In, Pack It Out
Be prepared for a lack of facilities. Bring all your food, water, and take all your trash with you.
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Natural Hot Springs Pools
Near the Hotel Ruins
Relax in naturally warm pools with varying temperatures, surrounded by breathtaking Andean landscapes.
Abandoned Hotel Ruins
El Sosneado
Explore the hauntingly beautiful remnants of the historic Hotel Termas del Sosneado, built in 1938.
Stunning Andean Scenery
Valle de Las Lagrimas area
Immerse yourself in the dramatic beauty of the Andes, with vast valleys and towering mountains.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Conquer the Road to El Sosneado
Embrace the Rustic Charm
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🚗 4x4 Essential
A 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended for the rough, unsealed road. Don't attempt in a small rental car!
🎒 Pack It In, Pack It Out
Be prepared for a lack of facilities. Bring all your food, water, and take all your trash with you.
💧 Springs are Warm, Not Hot
Enjoy the comfortable warm waters, but don't expect a sauna-like experience.
🗺️ Allow Ample Time
The 60km drive can take 2-4 hours. Factor this into your day trip plans.
Tips
from all over the internet
🚗 4x4 Essential
A 4x4 vehicle is highly recommended for the rough, unsealed road. Don't attempt in a small rental car!
🎒 Pack It In, Pack It Out
Be prepared for a lack of facilities. Bring all your food, water, and take all your trash with you.
💧 Springs are Warm, Not Hot
Enjoy the comfortable warm waters, but don't expect a sauna-like experience.
🗺️ Allow Ample Time
The 60km drive can take 2-4 hours. Factor this into your day trip plans.
📸 Capture the Vibe
The abandoned hotel and vast landscapes offer unique photo opportunities.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
El Sosneado offers a unique and beautiful experience with its natural hot springs and haunting hotel ruins, set against a stunning Andean backdrop. However, the challenging 4x4 road access and the unfortunate presence of litter detract from the otherwise spectacular natural beauty. Visitors praise the serene atmosphere and the raw, untouched feel of the location.
"I'm writing this review in English as I'm not from Argentina. Most of the people that visit this place are from Argentina.
The springs are great and the pools have different temps. Quite comfortable on a warm day to be there and have a swim. The valley is stunning as are the mountains.
However if you don't have patience for a tough drive, this one is going to be tough if you do not have a great 4x4. Even with a 4x4, parts of the road are slow going due to the size of the rocks in the road.
For comparison, we read and were told a lot about the difficult roads getting to other places like Valley Hermoso near Las Leñas. But after doing the road to Termas Del Sosneado, the Valley Hermoso was quite comfortable!
It took us 2hrs to go from the route 40 in El Sosneado up the valley. The breakdown of the 60km journey that we did a week ago in a Ford Ranger (all unsealed or ripio as the locals call unsealed roads):
- The first 20km we went about 50km per hour and thought we were going to do the whole road easy. The road is quite ok for a 4x4 or 2wd with good clearance
- The 2nd 20km slows right down with the road becoming less maintained and we could go an average of about 30km/h
- The last 20km is not great and slower again, and the final stretch the road was washed away recently I think and there were several makeshift tracks and was hard to choose the easiest.
Pick your weather going there if the vehicle isn't up to it, it would not be a good idea to get caught up the road with heavy rain."
Jason Keith
"Highly recommended! Need a 4x4, ideally. Very special place... I recommend driving even further... This whole valley has a very special energy that is hard to define."
Jean Pascal Remon
"The road to get is difficult but the landscape is very beautiful. It is very sad to reach the hot springs and the hotel and see that they are dirty, destroyed and full of garbage. People go camping or picnicking and leave their waste. A pity to see that such a beautiful place is not minimally well maintained."
Leticia Gasca
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The primary route is via Route 40, then taking an unsealed road towards El Sosneado. This 60km stretch is rough and requires a 4x4 vehicle with good clearance. Expect the drive to take 2-4 hours.
Yes, a 4x4 is highly recommended, if not essential, due to the rocky and uneven terrain of the unsealed road. Smaller vehicles or those with low clearance may get stuck or damaged.
The road is unsealed (ripio) and can be challenging, with large rocks and sections that are less maintained. The final stretch might be washed out, requiring careful navigation.
It is strongly advised against driving a regular car or a small rental car to El Sosneado. The road conditions are too severe and could lead to vehicle damage or getting stranded.
The drive from Route 40 to El Sosneado Hot Springs is approximately 60 kilometers and can take anywhere from 2 to 4 hours, depending on your vehicle and the road conditions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
There are no formal ticket sales or entry fees for El Sosneado Hot Springs. It's a natural site, but visitors are encouraged to practice Leave No Trace principles.
El Sosneado Hot Springs does not have official opening or closing hours as it is an undeveloped natural site. However, it's best to visit during daylight hours for safety and navigation.
The hotel ruins are abandoned and there is no entrance fee. Visitors can explore the site freely, but caution is advised due to the dilapidated state of the structure.
While there's no accommodation at the ruins, camping is a popular option. Ensure you are fully self-sufficient and prepared for wild camping conditions.
El Sosneado is a natural area, but it is not a formally protected national park. Visitors are responsible for respecting the environment and leaving no trace.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The hot springs are natural pools with varying warm temperatures, offering a relaxing experience amidst stunning Andean scenery. They are not 'hot' like a sauna but comfortably warm.
The Hotel Termas del Sosneado is an abandoned ruin, built in 1938. It's a hauntingly beautiful site, but it is dilapidated and not safe for extensive exploration inside.
Unfortunately, many visitors report that the site can be dirty and littered with garbage left by others. It's crucial for visitors to pack out everything they bring in.
The main activities are soaking in the hot springs, exploring the hotel ruins, enjoying the spectacular mountain views, and camping.
Cell service is generally non-existent in the remote valley of El Sosneado. Be prepared to be disconnected.
🍽️ 🍽️ Food & Dining
No, there are no restaurants, cafes, or any food services available at El Sosneado. You must bring all your own food and drinks.
Pack plenty of water, snacks, and meals for your entire visit. Consider non-perishable items and easy-to-eat options.
Picnicking is common, but it's essential to clean up thoroughly and take all your trash with you to preserve the natural beauty of the area.
📸 📸 Photography
The abandoned hotel ruins, the natural hot springs pools, and the vast, dramatic Andean landscapes offer incredible photographic potential.
Early morning or late afternoon light can create beautiful dramatic effects on the mountains and ruins. Midday sun can be harsh.
While a good camera is always beneficial, a smartphone can capture the essence of the place. Consider a wide-angle lens for landscapes.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Consider El Sosneado as a day trip with a picnic rather than an overnight stay unless you are experienced campers. The remoteness means you need to be entirely self-sufficient. The stunning scenery provides a great opportunity for kids to connect with nature and learn about the importance of environmental preservation by practicing 'Leave No Trace' principles.
🚗 Adventure Seekers & Off-Road Enthusiasts
Once you arrive, the reward is the raw, natural beauty of the hot springs and the dramatic Andean landscape. The abandoned hotel ruins add an element of mystery and history to the adventure. It's the perfect destination for those who appreciate wild, undeveloped places and are prepared for the logistical demands of reaching them.
📸 Photographers & Nature Lovers
Be prepared for the challenging drive, as it's part of what makes the location so special and less crowded. The remoteness ensures a more authentic experience, allowing you to immerse yourself in the natural environment. Remember to pack extra batteries and memory cards, as you'll likely find endless subjects to capture.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Challenging Journey: Navigating to El Sosneado
Recent reviews suggest that parts of the road can be particularly challenging, with some sections even being washed away, necessitating careful selection of the easiest tracks. It's crucial to pick your weather wisely; heavy rain can make the unsealed road treacherous and increase the risk of getting stuck. Planning your visit during the dry season is highly recommended to ensure the best possible road conditions and a safer, more enjoyable journey into this remote Andean valley.
This challenging access is part of what preserves the wild and untouched nature of El Sosneado. While it deters casual visitors, it rewards those who make the effort with a sense of discovery and unparalleled natural beauty. The drive itself becomes a memorable part of the El Sosneado experience, offering glimpses of the rugged Patagonian landscape.
El Sosneado: A Glimpse into History and Nature's Embrace
The main draw for many visitors, however, are the natural hot springs. These are not manicured pools but rather warm, inviting bodies of water that have formed organically. Visitors can enjoy a relaxing soak in pools with varying temperatures, a perfect way to unwind after the challenging journey. The surrounding valley is described as stunning, with breathtaking mountain vistas that contribute to the area's special, hard-to-define energy.
Despite its natural beauty, a recurring theme in visitor feedback is the unfortunate presence of litter and a lack of maintenance. Many express sadness at seeing such a beautiful place marred by discarded waste. This underscores the importance of the 'pack it in, pack it out' ethos for anyone visiting El Sosneado, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit