If there ever was a more beautiful stretch of mountain road than the Road of the Seven Lakes, I’m not sure what it would be. In just 67 miles the road visits seven lakes (Lácar, Machónico, Falkner, Villarino, Espejo, Correntoso, and Nahuel Huapi) all while revealing some of the most stunningly beautiful alpine forests in all of South America. It’s truly the ideal route for anyone wanting experience the majesty of Patagonia from two wheels.
Planning Your Ride on the Road of the Seven Lakes This route starts just outside San Martín de los Andes – a picturesque mountain town if there ever was one at the eastern tip of Lake Lácar. From there it winds its way through the mountains past five lakes before reaching the town of Villa La Angostura and the final lake, Nahuel Huapi. For riders who are short on time or aren’t ready to commit to a long distance journey, this might be the perfect choice as there are few technical challenges and it can easily be completed in just one day.
Fuel As this is a relatively short route, there’s no need to worry about carrying extra fuel or topping up along the way. You should grab a full tank before leaving San Martín de los Andes and fill up before taking the return trip though – there are no service stations in between them.
Accommodations and Fuel To give yourself a full day for the Road of the Seven Lakes, it’s best to spend a night in San Martín de los Andes. Rooms there are surprisingly affordable for such a beautiful location, with mid-range rooms going for $75 or less. In Villa la Angostura tent campsites are available in town and along the lake to the southeast of it. If you need something more upscale, hostel dorms and basic rooms can be found for around $50 per night and luxurious hotel suites and apartments for about $150.
Both towns have a variety of dining options, but there’s not much in between them, so it’s best to pack your lunch before getting out on the road.
Sights As the name suggests, the seven lakes are the main attraction along this route; the spectacular blue waters combine with the surrounding snowcapped peaks to create some truly postcard worthy landscapes. However, if the scenery isn’t enough to entice you to take journey, the route has a few more attractions to offer.
San Martin Beach, near the starting point of this motorcycle adventure, offers a fairly decent sized patch of sand to lounge on if you’re visiting during the warmer months (November-February). Kayak tours of Lake Lácar leave from the beach and are a great way to see more than is visible from the highway.
Lanin National Park (near San Marin de los Andes) and Nahuel Huapi National Park (near Villa la Angostura) act as bookends to the motorcycle journal and provide excellent hiking opportunities for anyone that needs to get off their bike and stretch a little.
San Martin Beach – Photo Credit: Nsimean / Public Domain Lanin National Park – Photo Credit: Luis Argerich / CC BY Nahuel Huapi National Park – Photo Credit: Chipppy / CC BY
