Line © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), checked by Global Adventurer.
The walk
From the reserve's main south entrance on Avenida Tristán Achával Rodríguez, by Puerto Madero, follow the broad Camino de los Lagartos north between lagoons, reed beds and pampas grass, with the towers of Puerto Madero rising beyond the trees. At the north entrance, turn east along the Camino de los Alisos to the shore of the Río de la Plata, a brown estuary so wide that the far side is out of sight. Follow the shore south on the Camino de los Sauces, then turn back west to the south entrance.
It is 7.7 km round and flat; allow about 2 hours. The grade is Easy: wide gravel and earth tracks, shared with cyclists.
The reserve is closed on Mondays and opens from 8:00 to 18:00 from April to October and to 19:00 from November to March; entry is free. There is little shade, so carry water in summer, and take care with your belongings in the surrounding streets, as in any big city.
Free guided walks run at weekends. Buses stop on the avenue outside, and the Puente de la Mujer and the centre are a short walk away.
Route drawn by Global Adventurer along OpenStreetMap paths (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL), with figures worked out from it. Check the forecast and the ground on the day: paths change.
Good to know
- The reserve grew on land reclaimed from the Río de la Plata for a city extension that was never built, and nature took it over
- It was declared a nature reserve in 1986 and covers about 350 hectares
- More than 300 species of birds have been recorded here, and it is a Ramsar wetland
- The towers of Puerto Madero stand just across the canal from its western edge
Getting there
Start: Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur, south entrance. -34.61637, -58.35662
Directions to the start
Places to stay nearby
Rooms in and around Reserva Ecológica Costanera Sur: Booking.com → Expedia → Hotels.com →
Affiliate links: if you book, Global Adventurer earns a small commission at no cost to you.
Paths change, and the weather decides the day. The line and figures come from OpenStreetMap and our own checks; take a map, check the forecast, and turn back if it isn't right.