Puente de Ingreso

The Puente de Ingreso is the structure that marks the beginning of La Cumbrecita: a hand-crafted wooden bridge that separates the world of cars from the pedestrian village. Crossing it is, in practice, the first step of any visit to this small settlement in the Sierras Grandes de Córdoba, situated at 1,450 metres above sea level.

Work of Helmut Cabjolsky

The bridge was built by Helmut Cabjolsky, a pioneer of La Cumbrecita, and is the first of several bridges he erected in the area. Its artisanal style and the use of materials native to the region set it apart within the mountain landscape. Cabjolsky also left his mark on other structures in the village, including the Capilla de La Cumbrecita, built in 1967 following similar principles of integration with the surroundings.

Starting point for trails

Beyond serving as the entrance to the historic centre of the village, the Puente de Ingreso acts as a regular meeting point for excursions and hikes. From here, for example, the full-day trek to La Lagunita departs — a high-altitude lagoon located in the Pampa de Achala, roughly 26 kilometres away — as does the path to the Pozo de las Cabras, a pool of crystal-clear water on the Río del Medio. To reach the latter, a staircase beside the bridge descends to the riverbank.

The village that opens on the other side

La Cumbrecita was founded in 1934 by German immigrants who gave the place its Bavarian-inspired architecture: alpine houses, forests of pines, cedars and birches, and a gastronomy with Central European influences. The village has no vehicle traffic inside, which makes the bridge not only a physical access point but also the threshold into a different pace of life. Once across, visitors continue on foot along paths that connect to waterfalls, viewpoints, natural pools and the village chapel.