Ruta of the Seven Lakes

is touted as one of the most scenic drives in Argentina. The route is a winding lake-and-mountain road between the pretty lakeside towns of Villa La Angostura and San Martín de los Andes in Argentina’s Lakes District. At the end of the route you will arrive at San Carlos de Bariloche, one of the largest cities in the district. The Ruta of the Seven Lakes is part of the iconic Route 40 that takes you the length of Argentina. We spent 5 days exploring this beautiful area of Argentina.

These lakes are not your “go down to the beach and jump in for a swim” type of lake. The sign above says - Cold Water, actually profoundly deep Cold Water. Swim at your own risk, no lifeguards. But the roads do offer great vistas of spectacular scenery and there are many beautiful hiking trails.

This hike is one of the most popular hikes. From the harbour in Villa la Angostura you can take a boat to the end of the peninsula and begin the 12km hike back to the mainland. What makes this particular hike so special is that it begins in a forest of Arrayane trees. Local folklore says that Walt Disney himself got the inspiration for his animation movie, Bambi, in this forest.

A very important characteristic of the Arrayane tree is its silky-smooth bark, which is cinnamon or brick red in color. This is a result of the concentration of tannins. When the bark falls off, it produces the characteristic whitish spots of the Arrayan tree. Probably the most unusual characteristic of the Arrayane tree is that when you touch the bark it has a very distinct cool/cold sensation.