The wonderful Quebrada de los Cuervos (Crows Gorge), the first nature reserve in Uruguay, is located not far from Treintay Tres City (307. 5 kms East Montevideo), a 24-kilometer run on a side road starting on Route 8. The ballast road gradually descends, going deeply into the serranas (low hills typical of the zone). It is interesting to realize how the landscape differentiates at each side of the road. After many turns and bends, it can be seen the entrance of the area properly identified by signs. Under an eucalyptus wood there is a camping area.

From there on, going along a path it is possible to go on by car - you arrive at an opening in the wood, where only bolds may want to start the way down the Quebrada itself.

It would be safer to follow the track formed on the ground by the passage of the many who in the course of years have tempted the descent. The striking gorge was formed by the erosive action of the Arroyo (Stream) Yerbal Chico. The Quebrada is over hundred meters deep at some places, and its sides are cliff-like, covered with a wide variety of species of the native flora.

When going down on the steepest parts it is advisable to support on the biggest blocks. In the lower parts, the stones covered by vegetatation become slippery. The roar of falling water increases. The banks of the Arroyo Yerbal Chico - running very quickly there - form a small beach.

Those who do not dare descend can enjoy from the upper part the beautiful somehow tropical scenery of the Quebrada where palm trees that overhang the rest of the vegetation mainly composed of blanquillos and coronillas - grow at considerable height on the steep sides. Near the water, there are some wild specimens of yerba mate (mat) which the Stream is named after.

The roar of water can be heard even from the upper part, the nearer the bottom, the louder it can be heard; this, due to the effect of echo and resonance - sound reflects and repeats reaching far distances. In the gorge itself occur the most strange insects, and a wide variety of birds. Apart from crows, there are pavas de monte (woodland turkeys), urracas azules (blue magpies), siete cuchillas and dormilones (sort of owls). Mammals are rare. Hunting and any damage to vegetation are forbidden in this protected area.