The Seven Lakes Route

The The Seven Lakes Route (Seven Lakes Route) is an all-day (10-12 hours) trip of 360 km (223 mi) round-trip. The best part, between Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes (110 km ) winds through wild mountain valleys, along rushing streams and uninhabited blue lakes. To fully enjoy the journey, plan to include a night or more in San Martín de los Andes, leaving early the next day on RP63 over Paso Córdoba, along the shore of Lago Meliquina and on to the weird and dramatic rock formations just before Confluéncia, where the road joins R237 and follows the Río Limay through Valle Encantado to Bariloche. If you're reluctant to drive, tour buses are available from Bariloche and Villa La Angostura.

From Bariloche, drive north on R237 for 21 km (13 mi), turn left on R231, and continue 65 km (40 mi) to Villa La Angostura. After passing lakes Correntoso and Espejo (about 11 km ), the road joins R234, most of which is unpaved (40 km ). Because it's perennially under construction, and often closed during heavy rains or winter storms, it's advisable to inquire about road conditions before you leave Villa La Angostura at your hotel, the Oficina de Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi (Nahuel Huapi National Park Office), or the local police station. Tempting picnic spots or campsites are all along streams or beaches on lakes Villarino, Falkner, and Hermoso. An excellent map can be found in the Guía Busch, available at car-rental agencies and in kiosks in Bariloche.