Nestled in the Andes mountain range in northern Patagonia along the renowned route 40 is the scenic Road of the Seven Lakes. Starting at San Martin de los Andes and ending at Villa La Angostura this 110km stretch of road took us through dramatic lakeside scenes with a back drop of mighty mountains and engulfed us in dense alpine forest. Each of the Lakes are fed by the melting snow on the surrounding mountains. They are all connected by rivers and streams and all eventually lead to the ocean through many of those rivers.
Lake Lecer
Resting in the mountains, Lake Lacer’s shores reach the edges of San Martin de los Andes. A popular resort town owed to its year round activities. With skiing and other winter sports within the colder seasons and hiking and water sports on the lake in the summer. Other than the town the lake of glacial origin that spreads a mighty 55km is otherwise mostly uninhabited. The popularity of Lake Lacer is obvious with the many sail boats lining its shores and beach goers enjoying the gentle cove within San Martin de los Andes.
Arroyo Partido
Translated to divided stream, Arroyo Partido is fed by Chapelco mountain. The river is divided into Arroyo Culebra and Arroyo Pil Pil.
Arroyo Culebra
The streams name translates to Snake Stream. Its name was given due to it’s apparent appearance to slither like a snake as it reaches lake Hermosa. All before eventually spanning across Chile to drain into the Atlantic.
Valle del arroyo Pil Pil
Following the ‘Valley of the Pil Pil’ south of Lake Lacer we found Valle del Arroyo Pil Pil within the valley’s creek. The stream runs across argentina to drain in the Pacific ocean. Pil Pil is a climbing plant found in the surrounding forests that is traditionally used for weaving.
Lago Machonico
Meaning water with Pancora – a fresh water crab commonly found in the lake. This lake is well known for its calm waters owed to its position surrounded by mountains shielding it from high winds. For this the lake is popular for waters ports and leisurely day trips.
Cascada Vullignanco
This waterfall has a 20 meter drop into the valley below and offers a glimpse at a natural scene as the water gushes down to the river below. Other than the viewpoint provided by the nature park up on the hill the waterfall is otherwise inaccessible giving to its untamed look. There is a myth relating to the hawks that inhabit the area. If the hawk shows you its face it is known to be a good omen but if it turns its back to you it’s a bad omen. We didn’t see any hawks that day and I don’t know if that’s a good or bad omen but no news is good news as the saying goes.
Lago Falkner
Lake Falkner was named in memory of Thomas Falkner an English missionary, explorer and scientist. A popular fishing destination given its calm waters and extensive aquatic life.
Lago Villarino
Lake Villarino is connected to Lake Falkner by a river and is named in memory of explorer Basilio Villarino. A captain in the Spanish Royal Navy, Villarinos’ maps were integral to the Spanish colonisation of Patagonia.
Lago Escondido
From the viewpoint it is easy to see where the name ‘hidden lake’ comes from. This small lake is lined with pine trees allowing you just a peak through its guarding trees. In the surrounding forests of the lake lives Pudu the worlds smallest deer, these shy timid animals grow to a height of just 40 inches.
Lago Correntoso
Being one of the larger lakes on the Seven Lakes route it is yet another popular destination with its many beaches and long coastlines. With it’s waters having a natural blue-green colour and the mountain back drops it offers picturesque views. However when we visited it looked as though the view point may have been under renovation. Concrete blocks and rubble littered the viewpoint and the scenes were over crowded by thorn bushes. There are many roads leading down to the lake and its many bays, it would be well worth heading down to see the lake up close.
Lago Espejo
The last of the seven lakes in Patagonia, known as mirror lake due to its crystal clear clean water and calm surface allowing a mirror image of the scenery around it. Boasting warmer waters -despite being fed by melting snow in nearby mountains – and sandy beaches it is a very popular destination in the summer.
Lago Nahuel Huapi
Bonus lake – though technically not a part of the Seven Lakes route in Patagonia, Lago Nahuel deserves a special mention. One of Argentinas most famous lakes, it was formed by glacier and is the largest in the area with a surface of 530km squared. At the Northern part of the lake sits Villa La Angostura a quaint resort town and at the southern side the lake sits Bariloche both of which are known for there swiss alpine style architecture.
Nahuel Huapi is in the tongue of the Mapuche people and translates to Puma Lake. Nahuel is also a term for a man who through the act of sorcery has been changed into a puma.
For further adventures in Argentina why not read our blog: Buenos Aires- sight seeing, walking tour and exploring this vibrant city
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