Seven Lakes Road
The lake section of Argentina's Route 40 from San Martín de los Andes to Villa La Angostura, crossing Lanín and Nahuel Huapi national parks, with seven glacial lakes strung along the way.
The Seven Lakes Road is a section of National Route 40 in Neuquén Province. It runs from San Martín de los Andes along Lake Lácar and south through Lanín and Nahuel Huapi national parks to Villa La Angostura, a distance of about 107 km. The entire route was paved in 2015. Continue about 80 km along the shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi to reach Bariloche. The seven main lakes, in order, are Lake Lácar, Lake Machonico, Lake Hermoso, Lake Falkner, Lake Villarino, Lake Escondido and Lake Correntoso, ending at Lake Nahuel Huapi. Other highlights include the Vuliñanco Waterfall, beaches on the shore of Lake Villarino and several Andes viewpoints. A side trip leads to the village of Villa Traful. Driving straight through takes about 2.5 hours, but plan a full day, or spend a night in a lakeside campground or cabin. It is the most common self-drive and bus route between Bariloche and San Martín. There are almost no gas stations along the way, so fill up at both ends. Snow after winter storms may require snow chains. Summer, from December to February, is Argentina's peak holiday season, so book accommodation early.