Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos, Argentina: things to do, when to go and how to get there

Get to know the place

A region to enjoy
at your own pace.

Bariloche is located on the southern shore of Lake Nahuel Huapi, in Río Negro. The Centro Cívico groups stone and wood buildings, while Cerro Campanario offers a viewpoint over lakes and mountains. The town hosts the airport, shops and services to start a trip through the Andean Patagonia.

To the north, Villa La Angostura sits on the link between Lakes Nahuel Huapi and Correntoso. Bahía Mansa provides access to the Quetrihué peninsula, where the Bosque de Arrayanes is located. Hikes and boat trips require different choices of time and effort.

The Ruta Nacional 40 continues to San Martín de los Andes along the stretch known as Rota dos Sete Lagos. The journey passes viewpoints and forested areas; on arrival, the shore of Lago Lácar is close to the center. Allocate days for the three towns, rather than trying to cover the whole region on a day trip.

This destination brings together 3 cities: Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, San Martín de los Andes.

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One destination, many paths

The cities on this trip

Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.

Where Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos is

Fuente: Instituto Geográfico Nacional de la República Argentina (IGN), contornos de 2019. Adaptação do Cidade Turismo.

How to get there: Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

✈ Aeropuerto Internacional Teniente Luis Candelaria (BRC) · 14 km to Bariloche

Confirm whether an airport change is required for the connection. Chapelco airport serves San Martín de los Andes. Villa La Angostura is reached by road from Bariloche or San Martín.

Suggested arrival point: Bariloche

Río Negro · Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos Suggested arrival point

Bariloche

Bariloche occupies the southern shore of Nahuel Huapi, between urban commerce and the mountains. The Centro Cívico and the Catedral Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi can be visited on foot. To the west, Cerro Campanario and Parque Municipal Llao Llao are part of longer excursions. The airport makes the town the main arrival point for this route.

Neuquén · Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

Villa La Angostura

Villa La Angostura lies on the northern shore of Nahuel Huapi, in the province of Neuquén. Bahía Mansa marks the port area and the Quetrihué peninsula leads to the Bosque de Arrayanes. Río Correntoso and Lago Espejo round out the nearby visits. It is a base for starting the Ruta 40 section toward San Martín de los Andes.

Neuquén · Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

San Martín de los Andes

San Martín de los Andes sits on the eastern tip of Lago Lácar. The costanera is near the town center, while the Bandurrias and Arrayán viewpoints show the town from different sides of the valley. Quila Quina adds a walk along the lake's south shore. The town marks the northern end of the Rota dos Sete Lagos.

The local experience

Things to do in Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

Villa La Angostura · Neuquén · Park

Bosque de Arrayanes

Forest of cinnamon-colored trunks at the tip of the Quetrihué peninsula, visited via boardwalks in Parque Nacional Los Arrayanes.

Bariloche · Río Negro · Architecture

Centro Cívico

Central square of Bariloche surrounded by stone and wooden buildings, with the clock tower and a passage to rua Mitre.

San Martín de los Andes · Neuquén · Lake

Costanera del Lago Lácar

Urban shore of Lago Lácar next to the center of San Martín de los Andes, with a beach, a pier and views of the valley between mountains.

Villa La Angostura · Neuquén · Beach

Bahía Mansa

Baía do Nahuel Huapi in the port area of Villa La Angostura, with a beach, boats and views toward the Quetrihué peninsula.

See 12 more places in Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

Bariloche · Río Negro · Observation deck

Cerro Campanario

Mountain viewpoint in the western sector of Bariloche, with views over Nahuel Huapi, Lago Moreno and the forests of the Circuito Chico.

San Martín de los Andes · Neuquén · Observation deck

Mirador Bandurrias

Viewpoint reached by a forest path on lands of the Curruhuinca community, with views of Lago Lácar and San Martín de los Andes.

Bariloche · Río Negro · Church

Catedral Nuestra Señora del Nahuel Huapi

Neogothic stone temple beside the urban shore of Nahuel Huapi, with a tower, stained-glass windows and surrounding gardens.

San Martín de los Andes · Neuquén · Observation deck

Mirador Arrayán

Panoramic viewpoint on the Arrayán path, above San Martín de los Andes, with views of the town center, the pier and Lake Lácar.

Villa La Angostura · Neuquén · River

Río Correntoso

Short course that links lago Correntoso to Nahuel Huapi, with a bridge and viewing areas near Villa La Angostura.

Villa La Angostura · Neuquén · Lake

Lago Espejo

Wooded lake on the Rota dos Sete Lagos, with a roadside viewpoint and beach accesses via detours from Ruta 40.

Bariloche · Río Negro · Park

Parque Municipal Llao Llao

Protected area of Andean forest on the Circuito Chico, with trails among native trees and access to sections of Lagos Moreno and Nahuel Huapi.

San Martín de los Andes · Neuquén · Beach

Quila Quina

Beach and pier area on the south shore of Lake Lácar, reached by mountain road or by boat from San Martín de los Andes.

Bariloche · Río Negro · Mountain

Cerro Catedral

Mountain with ski runs, lifts and a village at the base. The visit also includes views of lakes Nahuel Huapi and Gutiérrez, depending on visibility.

Bariloche · Río Negro · Itinerary

Circuito Chico

Route along the shores of Nahuel Huapi and Lake Moreno, with stops at viewpoints, beaches and woods in the west of Bariloche.

Bariloche · Río Negro · Mountain

Cerro Otto

Mountain close to the center, accessible by cable car and featuring a revolving café at the top. The outing combines lake views and activities in the surroundings.

Bariloche · Río Negro · Island

Isla Victoria

Island on Lake Nahuel Huapi visited by boat from Puerto Pañuelo, with disembarkation at Puerto Anchorena and walks among woods and beaches.

Before you go

Practical information

A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.

When to go

From December to March the days are usually longer for hikes and transfers. From June to September the cold increases and there may be snow in the mountains and on the roads. April and May usually have autumn foliage; bring clothing for rain and wind.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

How many days to stay

Allow seven to ten days: four in Bariloche, two in Villa La Angostura and two or three in San Martín de los Andes. Include the transfer along the Rota dos Sete Lagos as part of the itinerary. With less time, choose one base and reduce hotel changes.

Which city to stay in

Bariloche's center concentrates shops and tour departures; Avenida Bustillo has accommodations near the lake, with longer transfers. In Villa La Angostura, the town center makes meals and access to the terminal easier; Puerto Manzano and the port area are more distant options. In San Martín de los Andes, the center and the shore of Lago Lácar allow some visits on foot.

Respect the place

Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.

Get your questions answered

Frequently asked questions about Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

How many days to set aside for the three towns?

Seven to ten days allow spreading visits without making all the towns into a single day trip. The road between Villa La Angostura and San Martín deserves time for viewpoints, in addition to the route to Bariloche.

Do you need to rent a car for the Rota dos Sete Lagos?

A car allows choosing stops and travel times. There are also buses between the towns and organized excursions along the route. Regular buses do not make the same stops as the tours; check the service type before buying.

Which season suits lakes and hikes?

From December to March there are usually more daylight hours for outdoor activities. Between June and September, cold and possible snow change road and trail conditions. Choose activities according to the forecast and local guidance.

Routes in Argentina

Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos is on the Seven Lakes Road

From the shore of Nahuel Huapi in Bariloche to the lakes along RN 40, via Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes.

Illustrated map of Seven Lakes Road — Illustrative map, not to scale. Tap a city to open its page.

Explore the Seven Lakes Road

Bariloche and Rota dos Sete Lagos

A region to enjoyat your own pace.