Ruta de los Siete Lagos

The Ruta de los Siete Lagos runs about a hundred and ten kilometres through Nahuel Huapi and Lanín national parks, and its name understates the case: more than seven lakes are visible from the road or its short side tracks, among them Correntoso, Espejo, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Machónico and Lácar, each set in southern beech forest with mountains behind. Viewpoints are frequent and signposted, some with short trails to beaches or waterfalls such as Cascada Vullignanco. The whole route is now paved, which has made it accessible to any vehicle and correspondingly busy in January. Cyclists ride it over two or three days, camping at lakeside sites along the way.

What you actually see

• The lakes - Espejo, Correntoso, Falkner, Villarino and others from the road.
• The viewpoints - signposted miradors with short trails to shores and falls.
• The beech forest - dense southern forest of coihue and lenga along the route.
• The lakeside campsites - places to stop, swim and stay along the way.

When to go

November to April for the best weather and open campsites; January is busiest. Autumn in April brings colour to the beech woods. Winter driving is possible but snow and ice close sections at times.

Honest expectations

In peak summer the viewpoints are crowded and parking is tight. The road is winding with blind bends and cyclists, so it takes longer than the distance suggests. Weather can close in and hide the lakes entirely for a day.

Nearby

Villa La Angostura anchors the south; San Martín de los Andes the north.