The Ruta de los Siete Lagos is the stretch of National Route 40 between Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes, about 110 km through the lake district of Neuquén. It passes seven large lakes — Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso and Machónico — and dozens of smaller ones, with lenga and coihue forest, beaches and viewpoints all the way.
Now fully paved, it is one of the most celebrated drives in Argentina. You can do it as a long day tour from Bariloche, but it is far better to take two days and sleep in San Martín de los Andes on Lago Lácar.
Top things to do at Seven Lakes Road
Lago Espejo and Lago Correntoso
Near the southern end, Lago Espejo is famous for its mirror-like reflections; the beach at Espejo Chico is a lovely picnic stop.
Lago Villarino and Lago Falkner
The midpoint of the drive, with long sandy beaches and campsites between the two lakes.
Cascada Vulignanco
A roadside waterfall on a basalt cliff near Lago Villarino — a five-minute walk.
San Martín de los Andes
An attractive resort town of chalets on Lago Lácar, with the Mirador Bandurrias viewpoint, lake beaches and Chapelco ski area nearby.
How to get to Seven Lakes Road
- Self-drive: Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes is around 190–200 km via the Seven Lakes; allow 4–5 hours with stops.
- Day tour: full-day tours from Bariloche run year-round (about 10 hours).
- Bus: scheduled buses link Bariloche, Villa La Angostura and San Martín.
Insider tips
- Autumn (April–May) turns the lenga forests red and gold — the most beautiful season on this road.
- Fuel up in Villa La Angostura; there are no stations along the route.
- Return via the Paso Córdoba road or Route 237 via Confluencia to make a loop.
- Watch for cattle, cyclists and ice on shaded bends in winter.
Best tours & tickets for Seven Lakes Road
These experiences are the easiest way to see Seven Lakes Road and the landscapes around it:
Day trip Bariloche: 7 Lakes & San Martín de los Andes Road Trip
One of Argentina’s most famous drives, done in a day. The route runs north around the lake to Villa La Angostura, then threads past Lagos Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso and Machónico to the alpine-style resort town of San Martín de los Andes before heading back to Bariloche.
- The Ruta de los Siete Lagos on Route 40
- Villa La Angostura and Lago Correntoso
- Free time in San Martín de los Andes on Lago Lácar
Day trip Villa La Angostura and Cerro Bayo
Round the north shore of Nahuel Huapi to the park’s prettiest village. Villa La Angostura is all timber-and-stone chalets, lakeside coves and chocolate shops; the tour adds Cerro Bayo, the small ski-and-summer mountain above town, and the bays of Manzano and Mansa.
- The lakeside village of Villa La Angostura
- Cerro Bayo mountain and its views
- Bahía Manzano and the north shore of the lake
