Bariloche: 7 Lakes & San Martin de Los Andes Road Trip in San Carlos de Bariloche – A Guide

Traveling to Patagonia can be an unforgettable experience, and a road trip through the picturesque beauty of Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes can truly offer a magical journey. Taking the Bariloche 7 Lakes & San Martín de los Andes road trip offers travelers a chance to take in all that this area of the world has to offer, from beautiful lakeside views, mountain peaks and forests, to rustic restaurants and beach activities. This guide will provide a comprehensive overview of all that this road trip has to offer, and explain how travelers can make the most of their visit to this part of Argentina.

Overview

The Bariloche 7 Lakes & San Martin de los Andes road trip is known to be amongst the most scenic drives in South America. Starting in Bariloche and traveling through some of the best natural sites the continent boasts, travelers will find themselves immersed in some of the most stunning landscapes in all of the world. Before outlining specific points of interest on the route and how to make the most of them, it’s important to cover the basics of this road trip and what travelers need to know before getting on the road.

What You Will Find

The total distance from Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes, without leaving the route or stopping, is 141 miles (roughly 227 km). While this journey can be completed in one day, it’s best to break up your trip into multiple days so that you can make the most of each itinerary location. There are numerous points of interest along the way, including 21 stunning lakes, 8 national parks, 31 hot springs, 2 world-famous ski resorts, a carefully preserved historic district, and a remarkable array of activities and adventure sports.

Points Of Interest

Lake Nahuel Huapi

The 7 Lakes & San Martín de los Andes road trip starts in Lake Nahuel Huapi, one of the most famous lakes in Argentinian Patagonia. It is surrounded by mountains, small beaches, creeks and islands that make this lake one of the most photogenic destinations in all of Patagonia. Visitors can take boat trips around the lake, relax on its beaches or explore nearby attractions like Cerro Tronador and Cerro Campanario. There are also a number of restaurants and bars that offer breathtaking views for travelers looking for something to eat or a place to unwind after a long day.

Cerro Catedral

Cerro Catedral is one of the top skiing destinations in South America and the closest ski resort to Buenos Aires. With over 80 miles (roughly 130 km) of ski runs, a ski resort village with a wide range of amenities (including bars, restaurants and shops) and a great snow record, Cerro Catedral is amongst the most visited ski resorts in Patagonia. Additionally, travelers can find many activities throughout the year such as hiking, mountain biking and even summer skiing!

Arrayán Forest

The Arrayán Forest is an ancient forest that is full of aromatic colors and sounds. Located 7.5 miles (12 km) away from Bariloche is quite famous among photographers, who come here to capture its spirit. This forest consists of flora such as arrayanes (catalpa trees) whose lumber is used for furniture; coigües (evergreen trees whose bark has medicinal properties); and native monkey puzzle trees.

Los Alerces National Park

Los Alerces National Park is home to some of the world’s largest alerce trees, with some originating from as far back as 30 centuries ago—they’re among the planet’s oldest living beings! It’s one of several UNESCO World Heritage sites along the route, making this an incredibly special place for those visiting Argentina for a Patagonian nature-filled road trip. There are many breathtaking views, a stunning river delta, stunning glaciers and innumerable lakes surrounded by forests of alerce trees. You can even go fishing here, as some lakes are known for trout fisheries.

Lake Lácar

Lake Lácar is a large, bright blue lake located close to San Martín de los Andes. Tourists can take boat rides across the lake all year round and it’s ideal for fishing and kayaking. There are also many camping sites located in this area known for their breathtaking views of the lake surrounded by mountains.

Junín de los Andes

Junín de los Andes is a small town located near San Martín de los Andes that is known as one of Patagonia’s main recreational centers. It’s popular with both national and international travelers due to its array of activities and proximity to some of Patagonia’s best natural locations and ski resorts. Visitors can find classic Patagonian architecture, waterfalls, rafting excursions on the Chimehuín and Collón Curá rivers and thermal baths kept at a comfortable temperature all year round.

Tips & Suggestions

The 7 Lakes & San Martín de los Andes route is an incredible opportunity and if done correctly can be an unforgettable experience for those visiting Patagonia. These tips will give travelers all they need to know before embarking on this journey:

• Plan ahead: It’s important to plan ahead for this journey so that travelers can make sure they have enough time to take in all of the sites along their chosen route. It’s recommendable to book accommodations ahead of time for certain nights, or plan exactly which sites you plan to visit each day.
• Budget accordingly: This journey can be done on any kind of budget but if you want to make sure that you get to experience all that Patagonia has to offer it’s important to budget accordingly. There are some incredible opportunities throughout Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes that don’t come cheaply.
• Pack versatile clothing: While there are many activities that require specifically-designated attire, it’s best to pack versatile clothing items when making this road trip so that travelers can calmly enjoy every activity offered along their way.
• Bring snacks/picnic supplies: While there are plenty of places to eat along the route it’s important to make sure that you have snacks for stops at which there may not be a restaurant or bar nearby. It’s always great to bring picnic supplies so that you eat outdoors while taking in incredible scenery.

Make The Most Of Your Trip By Booking An Activity

If you want to make sure you make the most out of your visit to Bariloche and San Martín de los Andes, why not book an activity? GetYourGuide offers a range of experiences throughout the region such as Half-Day Aerial Adventure Park Ticket with Hotel Pickup in Joaquin V Gonzalez, hiking trips through Pampa Linda with Transfer Included, paddle boarding excursions on Lago del Cristo with Transportation Included and much more! Be sure to check out the range of activities available here.

Taking the Bariloche 7 Lakes & San Martín de los Andes road trip offers travelers a chance to experience some of the most spectacular landscapes found in South America. From breathtaking lakeside views and incredible ski resorts, to ancient forests filled with exotic wildlife and rustic restaurants serving up traditional Patagonian fare—this journey will no doubt provide visitors with an unforgettable experience during their visit to Argentina. Be sure to use this guide as your starting point before embarking on your journey through some of Patagonia’s best treasures!