Ruta 40 between San Martín and Villa La Angostura, seven glacial mirrors framed by araucaria and beech
Hand-picked by our editors — the best 12 stops and viewpoints from 40+ reviewed along the route
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10 hr
Journey through the Andes to a legendary glacial lake and Chile's most iconic ski resort with mountain picnic
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10 hr
Journey to a stunning Andean lagoon, wind through the Caracoles curves, and savor Chilean wines at a scenic vineyard.
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10 hr
Full-day Andes adventure combining mountain scenery, lakeside exploration, and family winery experience
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The landmarks, rooms, and views travelers on 7 Lakes Road Trip tours remember — all visible on a single visit.
This lake is known for its intense blue water and is a frequent stop for visitors on a 7 lakes road trip tour. The shoreline offers a quiet spot for photography near the road.
Visible from the road, this lake earns its name from its mirror-like reflection on calm days. It is one of the most serene stops on the route.
Famous for its clear, cold waters, this site provides a dramatic backdrop of mountain peaks. It is a popular spot for those taking 7 lakes road trip tours.
This lake is often visited for its proximity to other scenic landmarks along the path. It features a rocky beach perfect for a short walk.
Named after a Jesuit missionary, this lake is known for its wide sandy beach and surrounding peaks. It serves as a major highlight on the 7 lakes road trip.
Every 7 Lakes Road Trip tour side-by-side — duration, what's included, how you redeem.
| Experience | Duration | Rating | Pickup | Skip-the-line | Guide | Small group | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Guided Experience Most popular
Portillo Ski Resort & Laguna del Inca Day Tour from Santiago
|
10 hr | ★ 4.6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €46 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Inca Lagoon & Vineyard Wine Tasting Day Trip
|
10 hr | ★ 4.6 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €69 | Book → |
|
Guided Experience
Portillo Ski Resort & Inca Lagoon with Vineyard Tasting
|
10 hr | ★ 4.7 | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | €68 | Book → |
All prices from verified partners. Availability and exact terms confirmed at checkout.
They complement each other; most visitors who do both call the 7 lakes road trip the more immersive mountain journey, whereas Circuito Chico serves as an efficient urban-adjacent excursion.
| Feature | Top pick 7 Lakes Route | Circuito Chico |
|---|---|---|
Driving time |
4–6 hours | 1.5–2 hours |
Total distance |
107 km | 26 km |
Primary scenery |
Andean lakes and forests | Llao Llao landscape |
Required commitment |
Full day | Half day |
Physical activity level |
Low | Low to moderate |
Ideal traveler type |
Road enthusiasts | Casual sightseers |
| See tickets → |
Verdict: Choose the 7 lakes road trip tours for expansive vistas and deep nature immersion, or opt for a Circuito Chico tour if you prioritize proximity to Bariloche and limited time availability, noting that neither experience requires 7 lakes road trip tickets to access these public thoroughfares.
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Arrive at the entrance, show your voucher on your phone, and walk in. Most tickets include priority or skip-the-line access.
Practical details for 7 Lakes Road Trip tickets straight from our verified partners — hours, access, rules, and how to get there.
Ruta Nacional 40, Neuquén, Argentina
Public highway access.
Open in Google MapsThe primary way to complete the 7 lakes road trip is via personal vehicle or rental car. Gas up fully in San Martin de los Andes before departure.
Wear layered clothing suitable for unpredictable mountain weather. Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are recommended for exploring trailheads along the 7 lakes road trip.
Travelers must keep all personal belongings inside their vehicles. There are no secure lockers or storage facilities along the 7 lakes road trip route.
Photography is permitted throughout the entire 7 lakes road trip. Use caution when stopping at viewpoints to ensure your vehicle is parked well off the road.
The road is paved, but many viewpoints have gravel paths or uneven terrain. Wheelchair access is limited to main parking areas at select locations.
Mobile signal is extremely limited or non-existent for most of the 7 lakes road trip. Download offline maps and navigation tools before leaving San Martin de los Andes.
The 7 lakes road trip is suitable for all ages, though children require supervision near water edges. Pack sufficient snacks and water for the full day journey.
Carry your own food and water, as amenities are sparse between the main towns. Public waste bins are limited, so carry all trash out with you.
Pets are generally discouraged in protected national park areas along the route. If brought, they must be leashed and remain strictly inside the vehicle.
Maintain your fuel tank, as gas stations are only available at the start and end points. Adhere to speed limits, especially during winding sections of the 7 lakes road trip.
Best time to go, insider tips, nearby landmarks, and the cancellation fine print — flip through to skim what matters to you.
How crowds, weather, and events shift across the year.
High season with warm weather and full accessibility. Expect higher traffic at major viewpoints.
Cooler temperatures and vibrant foliage. Fewer crowds compared to summer months.
Temperatures are mild but unpredictable. Wildflowers begin to bloom in late spring.
Cold with potential for snow on the road. Chains may be required for your vehicle.
Small details that turn a good visit into a great one.
Visit the national park office before departure to confirm the route is clear of snow or maintenance delays.
Non-bookable sights within a short walk — free to visit, easy to pair.
A massive glacial lake near the start of the drive.
Flexible, no hidden fees.
As this is a public national highway, no tickets are required and there is no cancellation policy. The route remains accessible 0 ARS to all travelers.
Hand-picked options within walking distance — pick a district for vibe, or a specific hotel for convenience.
Numerous lodges and hotels near the route start.
Ruta Nacional 40 threads 110 kilometres between San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura, crossing seven glacial lakes carved by Pleistocene ice sheets retreating fourteen thousand years ago.
The route opened to civilian traffic in 1936 as a single-lane gravel track serving estancias and logging camps; asphalt arrived in sections between 1982 and 2001. Today the 7 lakes road trip argentina stands as one of the continent's most compact assemblies of subalpine lake basins, each fed by snowmelt from Lanín and Nahuel Huapi watersheds and bordered by Nothofagus obliqua forests and umbrella-shaped araucaria groves listed under IUCN endangered status since 2013.
The seven named lakes—Lácar, Machónico, Falkner, Villarino, Escondido, Correntoso, Espejo—occupy fault-line depressions amplified by glacial scouring, their turquoise and cobalt hues deriving from suspended glacial flour particles that scatter short-wavelength light. Lago Lácar sits at 630 metres elevation; Espejo reaches 780 metres, the ascent gradual enough that cyclists complete the corridor in a long summer day. Roadside viewpoints installed by the Neuquén provincial directorate in 2004 mark optimal sightlines toward peaks exceeding 2,400 metres, including Cerro Falkner and the volcanic cone of Lanín visible northwest on clear days.
The great lakes road trip itinerary 7 days through Patagonia often anchors on this segment as day three or four, pairing the lake corridor with trailheads at Arrayanes Forest and Queñi. The route carries no toll booths and imposes no seasonal closures, though winter snowfall between June and September reduces the roadway to a single maintained lane requiring chains. Pullouts accommodate thirty vehicles at major lakes; smaller viewpoints hold four to six cars. The 7 lakes & san martin de los andes road trip bariloche extension continues south past Villa La Angostura another 80 kilometres to Bariloche city limits, adding Nahuel Huapi's northern arms and the Circuito Chico to the itinerary.
Ecological pressure from visitation rose measurably after 2015 when the route entered international guidebook circuits. The Argentine National Parks Administration and Neuquén environmental office now enforce no-trace camping rules within five kilometres of lakeshores and prohibit open fires year-round to protect Nothofagus regeneration zones. Signage installed in 2022 marks fragile streambank areas where vehicle parking compacts root systems. The corridor remains a public national highway with free access, its value residing not in monumental infrastructure but in the cumulative effect of geology, hydrology, and montane vegetation compressed into a single morning's drive.
"Ruta 40 threads seven glacial lakes carved by ice sheets retreating fourteen thousand years ago, each basin fed by Lanín and Nahuel Huapi snowmelt."
A step-by-step walkthrough of 7 Lakes Road Trip tickets — what you'll see, how long each stage takes, and the details that matter.
You leave San Martín de los Andes at first light, heading south on Ruta 40 as it climbs through coihue and lenga forest.
Eight kilometres out, Lago Machónico appears on your left, a narrow finger lake pressed between ridges; a gravel pullout lets you step out into cool air that carries the scent of wet bark and volcanic soil. You continue upward, the road winding through stands of araucaria, their candelabra crowns silhouetted against the eastern sky.
At kilometre twenty-two you reach Lago Falkner, the largest basin on the northern half of the 7 lakes road trip tour. A wooden viewpoint platform extends over the shore; you walk out and see the water shift from jade near the shallows to deep indigo where the lake drops to seventy metres. Across the water, Cerro Falkner's granite face catches early sun. You drive on, passing Lago Villarino and then the smaller Lago Escondido, tucked into a cirque and nearly invisible from the road until you round the final curve.
Correntoso marks the halfway point. You park near the stone bridge where the world's shortest river—sixty metres—connects Correntoso to Nahuel Huapi. The current is swift and gin-clear. You walk to the pedestrian overlook and watch kayakers eddy out below. The final leg brings you to Lago Espejo, where a loop trail descends to the beach and you can see Villa La Angostura's rooftops five kilometres south. You arrive mid-morning, the entire 7 lakes road trip tickets-free corridor behind you, no gate, no queue, just public asphalt and seven glacial mirrors.
No, there are 0 ARS in entrance fees for the 7 lakes road trip as it is a public national highway.
The road is open 00:00–23:59 every day, though travel at night is not recommended.
The best arrival window is 08:00–10:00 to avoid midday crowds.
Yes, the route is family-friendly, provided you bring sufficient supplies for the day.
Mobile signal is unreliable; download offline maps before starting your 7 lakes road trip.
Facilities are very limited, so bring your own food and water for the duration.
Plan for a full day to allow time for stops and photographs during your 7 lakes road trip tour.
Bring layers, sun protection, water, and snacks for a comfortable day on the road.
No, you must refuel in San Martin de los Andes before beginning the drive.
Yes, the road is open year-round, but always check local conditions for snow in winter.
