Cerro Punta

Heading north from Volcán, at the end of the road is Cerro Punta sitting at an altitude of 2130 m. Set in a beautiful valley, it is at the heart of a vegetable- and flower-growing zone, and a region of dairy farms and racehorse stables. It is sometimes called ‘Little Switzerland’ because of its Alpine-style houses and the influence of Swiss and former-Yugoslav settlers (there is a settlement called Nueva Suiza just south of town). The countryside, full of orchids, is beautiful, though economic pressures push the potato fields ever higher up the hillsides, to the cost of the wooded areas, and sadly encourage the extensive use of agro-chemicals. There are many fine walks in the crisp mountain air. Continue through Cerro Punta to follow the main street as it curves to the left. Haras Cerro Punta (topiary initials clipped in the hedge) and Haras Carinthia (name visible on stable roof) are well-known thoroughbred farms who will usually receive visitors and show them round. Further on is the small bridge at Bajo Grande. The right fork leads to Respingo, where there is a small forest ranger station. Buses depart from David via La Concepción and Volcán taking a couple of hours (US$2.65).