Siete Lagos

The road of the seven lakes (Siete Lagos) is a spectacular 108 km (about 65-mile) drive in Argentina’s lake-dotted Patagonian lakes region. Route 234 runs from Villa La Angostura up to San Martín de Los Andes, not far from the undisputed capital and largest city of the region, Bariloche.

The seven lakes drive passes looming mountains, majestic lakes, waterfalls, turn-offs with emerald lagoons, beech forests, and even condor nesting areas. The seven lakes, going from Villa Lo Angostura, on the north shore of branched Lake Nahuel Huapi (Bariloche is on the south side) are the following: Nahuel Huapi, Espejo, Correntoso, Villarino, Falkner, Machónico and Lácar. Lago Escondido (which means hidden lake) is not technically on the route, but you can take a peek at it between Villarino and Correntoso all the same.

On this drive, you’ll also pass the Argentine national parks of Nahuel Huapi and Lanín, both of which are worth a visit. The best views are in autumn (in April and May) with the beech forests turning red and yellow.

Practical Info:

The closest airport to Villa Angostura is an hour and fifteen minutes away, in Bariloche. You can easily rent a car and do the seven lakes drive yourself. The road is technically transitable all year round, but can be closed in heavy snows in the winter, which is from June to August. Do the drive in a single day if you’re short on time, or take two or three days to do the circuit at a relaxed pace. You can also take a day tour, which takes about five hours, and can arrange to be dropped off for the night and picked up the next day at the same spot. Lodging en route ranges from free camping inns to hotels, and is available in several locations.