The decision. This guide covers the Argentine national park in Misiones, not the park on the Brazilian side of the falls. The most useful first choice is which walking circuits suit your time and mobility. Devil’s Throat is only one part of the visit; the Upper and Lower circuits give different angles on the cascades, while Macuco is a forest walk rather than another short lookout loop.
The circuits are not interchangeable
Argentina’s National Parks Administration (APN) describes the Upper Circuit as a one-way walk of about 1,850 metres, on walkways without stairs, looking down across the falls. The Lower Circuit is about 1,750 metres and includes stairs; APN explicitly flags restricted accessibility. That distinction matters more than a generic claim that “the park has boardwalks.” If stairs are a barrier, check the currently available route and support facilities rather than assuming every viewpoint is equally usable.
The walkway to Devil’s Throat is described as about 1,100 metres without stairs. It is reached within a larger visit that involves internal transport and walking, so do not treat the lookout as a roadside stop. Water levels, maintenance and other conditions can affect access. Check the operator’s current circuit and train status close to your visit.
For a different purpose, Macuco Trail is roughly 7 km return and described by APN as a rough, pedestrian-only forest route. It calls for appropriate time and footwear; it should not be added casually to an already full waterfall day. These are route descriptions from the authority, not promises of current opening.
Getting the day into the right order
Puerto Iguazú is the nearby travel base on the Argentine side. APN lists ways to reach the park and describes an internal ecological train linking Central, Cataratas and Garganta stations. Your ticket’s selected entry time and the latest train/route information determine whether a proposed order is realistic. If the throat viewpoint is the priority, verify its operation before building the rest of the day around it.
For directions, use the Argentine visitor entrance and then the internal train stations; a point in the middle of the protected forest is not a useful arrival point. When comparing photographs, check the viewpoint: the Brazilian side does not show the same experience as these Argentine circuits.
Questions visitors actually need answered
Is the Lower Circuit step-free? No. APN says it has stairs and restricted accessibility. The Upper Circuit and Devil’s Throat walkway are described as stair-free, but confirm practical accessibility for your needs.
Is Devil’s Throat always accessible? Do not assume so. Check the current walkway and train notices before travelling.
Is Macuco another short boardwalk? No. APN describes a 7 km return, rough pedestrian trail through the forest.