Arbol de Piedra

Arbol de Piedra

Arbol de Piedra is a unique rock formation that looks like a withered tree. It is located in the Eduardo Avaroa National Reserve, in southwestern Bolivia, about 18 kilometers north of the Colorada Lagoon. In Spanish, Arbol de Piedra means “stone tree.”

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General Information

This work of nature is the result of the strong winds inherent in these places since time immemorial. The fragments of volcanic sand and quartz brought by the strong winds have polished the rock so intricately that it has become like a tree 5 meters high. Arbol de Piedra rises bizarrely against the sand dunes of the Siloli Desert.

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The “trunk” of the stone tree is composed of softer rocks like feldspar or biotite, which are more susceptible to wind erosion, while the broad “crown” is composed of harder iron-rich material that is not as susceptible to erosion. The trunk of the stone tree is quite thin, so for safety reasons tourists are encouraged to admire this work of nature from a distance.

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Arbol de Piedra has been declared a natural monument and is a popular destination for travelers on tours of southwestern Bolivia.

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