Every time the long march of automobiles towards the Atlantic Coast becomes dense and the trip turns out to be a slow and complicated procedure,
provincial route 36
emerges as a valid option to distance ourselves from the delays that traffic could cause. highway 2.
This
alternative road of 120 kilometers
between the town of El Pato (in the La Plata district) and the final junction with Route 11 (eight kilometers after passing through Pipinas, Punta Indio district), in reality, totals just over 150 kilometers, since it runs another 30 kilometers before, from Avellaneda, along Mitre, Los Quilmes and Calchaquí avenues.
One of the two entrances to Verónica (Punta Indio district) from Route 36.
Once it crosses the distributor of route 2, at kilometer 33, route 36 adopts its narrow layout with only one lane on each side and with few and neglected shoulders, to link the possible stops of an interesting corridor of gastronomy, recreational walks and rural production.
Despite being a road heavily traveled by cargo transport, especially along the
fruit and vegetable area of the Gran La Plata farms
, the general condition of the pavement fluctuates between acceptable and very good -depending on the area traveled-, until reach the
most deteriorated section
in the last segment.
Resurfacing work on 26 kilometers of Route 36, from Verónica to the end of the route, at the junction with Route 11.
These days, the provincial government is carrying out work to repave and improve signage and shoulders on the 26 kilometers extended from Verónica to Route 11.
Provincial route 36: where to stop and what to see
Provincial Route 36
Tap to explore data
Infographic:
Clarín
Here are some suggested stops to enjoy a circuit of interesting proposals, which advances alongside the less traveled route of travelers heading to Partido de la Costa, Pinamar and Villa Gesell.
Km. 44: Flower Market
The first stop is a tribute to the
largest flower production area in the country
.
Despite the somewhat intimidating name of the place where this stopover is suggested (El Peligro, in the La Plata district), peace and seductive perfumes reign in the Flower Market of the Argentine Floriculturists' Cooperative.
From Monday to Saturday, here you can admire and buy flowers and plants in pots, among which - depending on the season - the varieties of roses, jasmine, tuberose, laurels, cacti and aromatic species stand out.
Mercoflor flower fair, at kilometer 44 of route 36, in the district of La Plata.
A few steps from here, other options are presented on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays in the 200 flower stalls and 40 plant stalls in the Mercoflor complex.
Where to get information.
(02229) 491-176/492-629/803 / Facebook: Argentine Flower Growers Cooperative.
Mercoflor: (02229) 15492808 / mercoflor@gmail.com / Facebook: Mercoflor.
Km. 48: Mizujo recreational field and farm
Peacocks
loose in the park, colorful fish and waterfowl in a lake crossed by bridges, farm animals, a maze, children's games and a typical Japanese garden are just some of the points included in the walk through this very well-organized establishment. , in the area of producers of the
Japanese community Colonia Urquiza
, better known as Estancia Chica or Abasto.
The place also has viewpoints, a restaurant, a nursery, stalls selling fruits and vegetables and seasonal flowers, barbecue areas and a cactus tree.
Mizujo recreational field and farm, in Abasto, La Plata district.
How much does it cost.
Admission, $2,500;
from 4 to 12 years, retired and pensioners, $1,500.
Where to get information.
(0221) 491-4357/4230 / info@mizujocampolibre.com.ar / www.mizujocampolibre.com.ar / Facebook: Mizujocampolibre
Km. 52: El Paisa Grill and Grill
The residents of Abasto often proudly recommend this
simple dining room
, both for its
famous sweetbreads
, suckling pig and other grilled meats, provoleta, pastas, rabas, empanadas and desserts as well as for the friendly and hearty treatment it usually provides. Emilio, the host who took root in this prosperous land after leaving Arroyo del Medio, the town in Misiones where he was born and raised.
El Paisa grill and grill, in Abasto.
Where to get information.
(0221) 4914-410/4 / barbacoaelpaisa@gmail.com / Facebook: Parrilla El Paisa.
Km. 70: Poblet Aerodrome
An exciting way to appreciate the breadth of this rural area of Buenos Aires - from a minimum height of 500 feet, around 150 meters - is proposed by the
baptismal flights in a small plane or in an ultralight device
guided by the experienced pilot Matías Lanusse.
You can also see the urban center of La Plata - 14 kilometers from here in a straight line -, with its symmetrical layout crossed by diagonals, the squares and the Cathedral.
The experience in the air lasts approximately 20 minutes and begins on the ground with an instructive talk.
A flight school also operates at the Poblet Aerodrome.
Baptism and recreational flights and flight classes at the Poblet Aerodrome.
Where to get information.
(0221) 155665550 / www.aerodromopoblet.com.ar / Facebook: Poblet Aerodrome.
Km. 70: La Bienvenida polo field
Before resuming the itinerary along Route 36, it is advisable to travel 3 kilometers from the Aerodrome, to immerse yourself in the minimal sounds and the family atmosphere that is breathed in La Bienvenida, where the Cataldi family is dedicated to
raising horses
to sell.
They also decided to open the gate to visitors so that they can unleash their sporting passion on the
polo field
, join a polo class or enjoy a horseback ride.
First of all, beginners learn to ride and saddle here.
Only then do they move on to the one-hour tapping segment.
Polo at the La Bienvenida family field, in Poblet.
How much does it cost.
Polo class (one hour), $10,000.
Where to get information.
(0221) 155046540 / labienvenidapoblet@hotmail.com / Facebook: La Bienvenida – Poblet – Polo.
Km. 90: Los Dos Vagones country hotel
Six kilometers after leaving behind the detour to Bavio, a 3-kilometer dusty dirt path leads to the entrance of this
original rural enterprise
, a type of accommodation designed for adults, in
old railroad cars
saved from scrapping, with very good personalized service and Paraguayan hammock to rest outdoors.
You can also choose to spend the night in a
loft
, in the Casa de la Aguada or in a
glamping-style mobile home
.
In addition to the restorative countryside horizon that extends to all four sides, it has spa services (massages, cleansing of skin, hands and feet, constellations, yoga, reiki), a small forest trimmed by trails and horses.
Los Dos Vagones country hotel, near Bavio.
How much does it cost.
Double base room in a carriage with bedding, wi-fi, breakfast, mini-gym, swimming pool, air conditioning, snacks and snacks, $60,000;
in glamping dome, $40,000;
in cabin, $75,000.
Where to get information.
(154) 9715759 / (0221) 154779977 / info@losdosvagones.com.ar / www.losdosvagones.com.ar / Facebook: Los Dos Vagones, rural tourism & events.
Km. 94.5: El Almacén de Payró drink bar, grocery store and rural dining room
No one should regret it after turning left off Route 36 and traveling down a dirt and gravel road to reach Roberto J. Payró.
The decision to take that 10-kilometer detour is rewarded right away in this
old general store
with the tasty meat empanada with pig fat fried in pork fat or baked in a clay oven.
The filling includes white and green onion, bell pepper, free-range egg, olive, salt, pepper, ground chili, cumin and smoked paprika: a wonder for the palate.
It is also worth trying the lomito, the bondiola, mixed homemade flan, tiramisu and the pastries.
Furthermore, the after-dinner conversations with Marcela and Pablo, the owners of the house, are usually very lively.
Bowling alley and country dining room El Almacén de Payró, in Roberto J. Payró.
How much does it cost.
Baked or fried empanada in fat, $1,200;
grilled vacuum, $5,800;
choripan, $2,200;
French fries, $2,500;
Milanese, $4,500;
homemade desserts, from $1,500;
cupcake, $500.
Where to get information.
(0221) 155647989 / mrpantanetti@gmail.com / www.pulperiadepayro.negocio.site / Facebook: El Almacén de Payró.
Km. 96: El Rincón de Donatella country restaurant
The best thing about this country store, a
simple stop on the side of Route 36
- in the Starace area - is the homemade flavor of the dishes and the abundant portions.
While pasta is the great specialty of the Italian cook Donatella Petriella - who arrived in this rural area of the Magdalena district from Circello, near Naples -, her son José Boffa is in charge of the meats and grilled chorizo.
Other attractions to take into account are carrots and potatoes boiled in vinegar, lentils with onion, salamis, cheeses and wine served in a jug.
It has a
spectacular wooded park
- ideal for picnics, camping or mating -, a grass soccer field and an old pelota court.
The tables are arranged in the main room and outside, on the gallery, between fruit trees and around the family garden.
El Rincón de Donatella country restaurant, in the Starace area.
How much does it cost.
Starter and pasta or grilled brisket, $9,000;
honey (half kilo jar), $2,500;
country cheese, $4,500.
Where to get information.
(0221) 155477003 / Facebook: Donatella's Corner.
Km. 110: Casona El Palenque country hotel
This
old rural estate
, with capacity for nine guests, provides the best rest and the ideal base to go out on foot or by bicycle through the quiet streets of Vieites.
Not to be missed is breakfast, a round of mate or a snack around the table set up on the covered patio, on one side of the garden.
Casona El Palenque country hotel, in Vieytes.
How much does it cost.
Double room with solar heating, DirecTV, wi-fi, grill, pool, towels and bedding, $50,000.
Where to get information.
(02223) 15551530 / Facebook: Casona El Palenque Vieytes.
Km. 123: Álvarez Jonte
A group of entrepreneurs organized the Community-Based Rural Tourism
program in Álvarez Jonte
.
The initiative allows us to learn about the history of this town with a strong dairy tradition in the Punta Indio district, where several dairy farms and three cheese factories operated.
Tourists can also access the local values of local music,
typical food
and native products, among which barbecue chickens stand out.
On Saturdays, the
Álvarez Jonte Social and Sports Club
becomes a popular fair of gastronomy, gaucho pilchas, regional products, crafts and field games.
Alvarez Jonte Social and Sports Club, in the Punta Indio game.
Where to get information.
(02221) 15480553 / puntaindiodelanaturaleza@hmail.com / www.municipiopuntaindio.tur.ar / Facebook: Punta Indio de la Naturaleza.
Km. 129: Veronica
Once you have crossed the portal of the first or second entrance to the main town of the Punta Indio district,
the Nuestra Señora de Lourdes church and the Municipal Amphitheater are added to the classic relaxed tour of the
main square .
But, before these references are considered the only attractions of Verónica, the locals let their praise be heard in passing for the artisanal ice creams of Vero Gellatto - from the Italian immigrant Guillermo Bina - and the tempting taste of the empanadas sold by an established business in front of the square.
Entrance portal to Verónica from Route 36.
Where to get information.
(154) 4080704 / turismo@puntaindio.gob.ar / www.puntaindioweb.com / Facebook: Turismo Punta Indio.
Km. 146: Pipinas
Shortly before reaching the final point of the route - where Route 36 leads to Route 11 - most motorists decide to stop for a while in Pipinas, to eat at one of the stops, refuel or approach the line. of regional product stalls, where cheeses, salamis, mates, country breads, sweets, honey and other area specialties are sold.
The
El Carrito grill on 36
is one of the most popular places for its renowned barbecue, homemade tripe and flan.
Less visible to the eyes of people passing through, the old railway station from 1913 is part of the Community Tourism circuit created by a neighborhood cooperative.
A mural painted on one of the walls of the historic Pipinas hotel, recovered by a neighborhood cooperative.
It is also worth visiting the historic facilities of the Corcemar
cement and lime factory
, which operated between 1939 and 1991, when it passed into the hands of Loma Negra to go through a period of decline until its closure in 2001.
The enormous construction - which preserves its chimney - was recovered in 2014 by the National Commission for Space Affairs (CONAE) and today is the base of the Tronador II space rocket project.
Pipinas is also worth a visit for its
bird watching
, the recovered cement factory hotel - with a swimming pool open to the public -, the
Sendero del Plátano
, shell quarries in the nearby Parque Costero del Sur and the invoices from the San José bakery.
Where to get information.
(02221) 492-144/029/480-835/8 / www.pipinas.com / Facebook: Cooperativa Pipinas Viva Hotel.