La Leona Petrified Forest

About

Once upon a time the La Leona Petrified Forest was a lush woodland. But cataclysmic events and a few million years transformed the area into the unforgiving Patagonian Steppe of today. Still, there are reminders of the area's once vivacious past. Hiking among the grey hills you’ll find the fallen trunks of prehistoric trees turned to stone by time and the elements and a handful of dinosaur bones and fossils left behind by paleontologists. Even without the fossils, this volcanic landscape with its windswept hills and lunar valleys is worth the trek. Just remember, you’ll be hiking in the high desert, so be sure to bring water, maybe a snack, and appropriate clothing and footwear. Please note: you can only visit La Leona Petrified Forest as part of a registered tour, which only takes place at 10:15. Please coordinate your departure around this. Your driver will meet the tour guide in La Leona before traveling to the petrified forest. Tour tickets must be purchased in advance at https://www.patagoniachic.com/el-calafate/excursiones/bosque-petrificado-leona_64.html