Lago Espejo under cumulus clouds, with forested shores and a mountain ridge behind the water and tree branches framing it in the foreground

Seven Lakes Road, Argentina: 3-Day Drive from Bariloche

66 miles (107 km) of paved lake road between Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes, driven as a loop from Bariloche.

284 mi · 3 days · Easy
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Photo: Emilio Küffer, CC BY-SA 2.0

The Ruta de los Siete Lagos is the scenic stretch of Ruta Nacional 40 in Neuquén between Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes: about 66 miles (107 km) of two-lane asphalt through forest, with a lake every few minutes. It crosses Nahuel Huapi and Lanín national parks, and the last paving was finished in 2015, so a normal rental car is enough.

This page drives it as a 3-day loop from Bariloche. Day 1 runs west and north to Villa La Angostura. Day 2 is the lake road itself, ending in San Martín de los Andes. Day 3 is the long way home on pavement through Junín de los Andes; if you would rather see the lakes twice, drive the same road back, which is shorter at 119 miles (191 km). The line on the map follows OpenStreetMap's Ruta 40, 234 and 237, so it is longer than the 66 miles (107 km) of the famous road: the loop is about 284 miles (457 km).

The decision that matters is the season. In winter snow and ice can close the road, chains can be required, and a day of closure ruins the schedule. Outside winter it is an easy drive. Which seven lakes count is also not settled: the Villa La Angostura tourism office lists Espejo, Correntoso, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso and Machónico, another list counts Nahuel Huapi instead of Hermoso, and other authors add Traful or Espejo Chico, so count the ones you stop at and ignore the number.

The Route on the Map

Each day in its own color, with the start and every night's stop numbered along the way.

Loading map...

Route line: OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), simplified.

Day by Day

3 legs and 2 nights on the way, each in a different place.

  1. Cinnamon-red trunks of arrayán trees rise above green undergrowth in sunlight in Los Arrayanes National Park near Villa La Angostura
    Day 1

    Day 1: Bariloche to Villa La Angostura

    Bariloche, Ruta 40 (Circunvalación)toVilla La Angostura, Avenida Arrayanes

    Distance
    52.5 mi 84.5 km

    The first day is the short one, which leaves time for the Bosque de Arrayanes in Villa La Angostura. Ruta 40 runs north from Bariloche along Lake Nahuel Huapi to the town. The forest of arrayán trees in Los Arrayanes National Park is reached by a 7.5-mile (12 km) walk from the Istmo trailhead near the port area, or by catamaran, and the park fee applies. Walkers must start by the cut-off hour in the safety list and buy the boat ticket back first.

    Fill the tank in town this evening, before the lake road (see the fuel note in the safety list).

    Sleep
    Villa La Angostura · Town
    Signal
    Good in Bariloche and Villa La Angostura, weaker on the lake stretches between.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go

    Photo: Alfonso, CC BY-SA 3.0

  2. Blue Lago Correntoso under a clear sky, with forested slopes and rocky peaks behind the water
    Day 2

    Day 2: The Seven Lakes road to San Martín de los Andes

    Villa La Angostura, Avenida ArrayanestoSan Martín de los Andes, Avenida San Martín

    Distance
    66.5 mi 107 km

    This is the 66 miles (107 km) the tourism office measures between the two towns. From Villa La Angostura the road passes Lake Espejo, Correntoso, Escondido, the twin lakes Villarino and Falkner, the short detour to Lake Hermoso, and Machónico before it drops to Lake Lácar and the town. Beaches, camping and lookouts (miradores) sit at several of them; the tourism office lists a viewpoint at Espejo, Correntoso, Falkner and Machónico. At Pil Pil pass the road crosses the Arroyo Partido on the continental divide, with a sign and a lookout on the left.

    The road never stays straight for long, with one lane each way and trucks. Budget a full day for 66 miles (107 km): the stops are the point. Two gravel side roads leave it: Provincial Route 65 to Villa Traful and Provincial Route 63 to Villa Meliquina and the Paso Córdoba. Both are unpaved, so check their condition locally before you commit to them.

    Sleep
    San Martín de los Andes · Town
    Signal
    Patchy; none in several forest stretches.Reported Nov 2026, verify before you go

    Photo: Dario Alpern, CC BY-SA 4.0

  3. A concrete bridge with yellow railings crosses the Collón Curá river on Ruta 234, with dry brown hills behind
    Day 3

    Day 3: Back to Bariloche by Junín de los Andes

    San Martín de los Andes, Avenida San MartíntoBariloche, Ruta 40 (Circunvalación)

    Distance
    165 mi 266 km

    The paved way back leaves the lake district to the north: Ruta 40 to Junín de los Andes, Ruta 234, then Ruta 237 south to Bariloche. It is the long day, 165 miles (266 km) on the map line, and the same loop is given as about 160 miles (260 km). Start in the morning.

    The alternative is to drive back through the lakes and turn off on the way: Provincial Route 65 to Villa Traful, or Provincial Route 63 toward Villa Meliquina and the Paso Córdoba. Both are gravel, so check their condition locally before you choose them.

    Photo: Dario Alpern, CC BY-SA 4.0

Permits

No permit is required

Driving the road needs no permit. Parques Nacionales charges a daily fee in Nahuel Huapi, Lanín and Los Arrayanes: 35,000 ARS for the general category since 1 June 2026 (about 23 USD at 1,545 ARS per USD), 50% off a second day within 72 hours, and a 3-day Flexipass for these three parks at 70,000 ARS (about 45 USD). The road crosses Nahuel Huapi and Lanín, and the fee table lists parks, not road sections, so ask the park office in Bariloche, Villa La Angostura or San Martín de los Andes whether your route crosses a charged entry. Carry your passport: the lower rates are for Argentine nationals and provincial residents.

The official permit page

Getting There and Back

How to reach the start of the Seven Lakes Road, Argentina, and how to get home from the end.

The start

Bariloche. The route starts on Ruta 40 at the city bypass (the Circunvalación) and runs west and north along Lake Nahuel Huapi. Rent the car in Bariloche and return it there: the three days make a loop.

The end

Bariloche again, by the paved loop through Junín de los Andes, Ruta 234 and Ruta 237: about 165 miles (266 km) on day 3, measured along the map line. Return the car where you picked it up.

Parking

Lake viewpoints and beaches along the road are roadside pullouts and small lots. At the Arrayanes trailhead in Villa La Angostura the walk starts from the port area; ask your hotel where to leave the car for the day.

Safety

  • Winter snow and ice. Shaded stretches freeze and the road is open all year, but snow can close it. Press reports from July and August 2026 describe closures for snow, ice and rockfall, and chains were required at times. Check the Vialidad Nacional status page the evening before and again in the morning, and if there is any chance of snow, ask the rental company whether chains are included.

  • One lane each way. The road is winding, with trucks and long stretches without a safe place to overtake. Stay behind a slow truck and pass on the straights of the lake stretches instead of in the forest bends.

  • Rockfall. Press reports from July 2026 describe a closure after falling rocks. Do not stop under cut slopes, and obey the police or Vialidad staff when they run traffic in turns.

  • Fuel. The station at El Cruce in Villa La Angostura is reported as the last one before San Martín de los Andes, about 66 miles (107 km) away. Fill up in Villa La Angostura on day 2, and ask locally whether that is still the case.

  • Phone signal is patchy between the villages. Download offline maps before you leave Bariloche.

  • Fire. Summer is dry and the forest burns. Do not light fires outside marked sites and do not throw cigarette butts out of the car.

  • The Arrayanes trail has cut-off times. From 1 November to Semana Santa (Easter week) a walk there and back must start by 14:00, or by 15:00 if you return by boat with the ticket in hand; the maximum stay in the forest is 18:00. From Semana Santa to November the entry hours are 11:00 and 12:00 and the stay ends at 15:00. Tell the Parques Nacionales office your start time and buy the boat ticket back before you set out.

Seven Lakes Road, Argentina: FAQ

How long is the Ruta de los Siete Lagos?

The tourism office of Villa La Angostura gives about 66 miles (107 km) along Ruta Nacional 40 between Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes. Argentine press often rounds it to 68 miles (110 km). From Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes the drive is about 119 miles (191 km).

Which are the seven lakes?

Lists differ. The Villa La Angostura tourism office names Espejo, Correntoso, Escondido, Villarino, Falkner, Hermoso and Machónico, and another list uses Nahuel Huapi in place of Hermoso. Lácar, Traful, Espejo Chico, Meliquina and Lolog appear as extras. The road ends at Lake Lácar in San Martín de los Andes.

Is the Seven Lakes road paved?

Yes, it is asphalt along its whole length: the last paving was completed in 2015. It is one lane each way with little room to overtake, so you do not need a 4x4. Only the side roads, Provincial Routes 65 and 63, are gravel.

Can you drive the Seven Lakes road in winter?

The road is open all year, but snow and ice can close it for hours or days. Press reports from July and August 2026 describe closures and chain requirements. Check the Vialidad Nacional status page the evening before, and ask the rental company about chains.

Do you pay a national park fee on the Seven Lakes road?

The road crosses Nahuel Huapi and Lanín national parks, and Parques Nacionales charges 35,000 ARS a day (about 23 USD) for the general category since 1 June 2026. Los Arrayanes is a separate fee at the same price. Ask at a park office whether your route crosses a charged entry.

Can you do the Seven Lakes road in a day from Bariloche?

It is possible, but Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes is about 119 miles (191 km) one way and the lake road is for stopping. Three days leaves time for Los Arrayanes in Villa La Angostura, the lake road in daylight and the paved return.

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