The Route of the Seven Lakes — Argentina’s most stunning road trip — starts just minutes away from River House Lodge, a 66-mile (107-km) route along the eastern edge of the Andes that passes through two spectacular national parks and along the shore of seven scenic lakes.
Just down the road from River House Lodge, San Martín de los Andes anchors the northern end of the route. The charming town is also the gateway to hiking and biking in nearby Lanín National Park, as well as boat trips or fishing on the first of the seven lakes — Lake Lácar.
If you’re doing the Seven Lakes as an afternoon drive, San Martín’s many restaurants and cafes make a great place to grab lunch or a drink before hitting the road.
Making your way south, it’s around half-an-hour drive to Lago Machónico and the Lago Hermosa Ski Resort, which offers downing and cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowmobile, snowshoes, and horseback riding during the southern hemisphere winter.
Cascada Vuliñanco waterfall is the first indication that the route has entered huge Nahuel Huapi National Park. Just ahead Lago Falkner and Lago Villarino — twins connected by a short channel that offers a perfect chance to dip your toes in the chilly Andean water. If you’ve got the time and the energy, climb Cerro Falkner (the park’s second highest peak) for a stunning view.
The route meanders down the forested peninsula between Lago Espejo and Lago Correntoso before reaching the north shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi, one of the largest lakes in the entire Andes. You can reverse course at this point and return to River House Lodge or continue into the lakeside town of San Carlos de Bariloche.
