Home › Journeys › The Seven Lakes Road
The Seven Lakes Road: the Day-by-Day Itinerary
Argentina's Lake District looks like the Alps with more space and better steaks. The Seven Lakes Road threads forests and impossibly blue water between Bariloche and San Martín, with chocolate shops, craft beer and refugio hikes wherever you stop.
The Seven Lakes Road is a 420 km loop (self-drive). It works best as 4–6 days; the plan below is the 5-day version for January, built from 71 verified places, with real road-routed transit times, opening hours and daylight checked.
Customize this plan → 4-day plan · 5-day plan · 6-day plan · best time to go
5
days
1120 km
distance
20.4 h
driving
20
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- Patagonian summer: the Seven Lakes Road is at its bluest and hiking refugios open — book Bariloche ahead.
- Heavy transit: day 4 (6h28), day 5 (10h02) run over 6 hours on the road. Around 6 days would keep daily driving comfortable on this route — or keep the dates and start each of those days by 08:00.
Day 1 Bariloche → Villa La Angostura
🌡 -1.5–32.3°C · 🌧 ~5 rain days · ☀ 14.6h light
09:00
Cerro Tronadorhikingbeaches & cliffs
Visit glaciers, waterfalls, and towering peaks on guided trips.
90 min · Bariloche
10:30
Catedral Alta Patagoniahikingmuseums & heritage
Ski vast slopes with breathtaking mountain views.
90 min · Bariloche
12:00
Cerro Campanariohikingmuseums & heritage
Enjoy panoramic views of lakes and peaks by hike or lift.
90 min · Bariloche
13:30
Mexicano Cafelocal & traditionalcoffee & bakes
Savor authentic Mexican flavors with endless taco options.
60 min · Bariloche
open: Daily 11:30 - 23:30
18:30
Familia Weissbeaches & cliffslocal & traditional
Relish rustic Argentinian dishes with German twists.
75 min · Bariloche · AR$20,000
open: Th-M 12:30 - 15:30 and 20:00 - 23:30, W 15:30 - 20:00, closed Tu
Overnight: Bariloche
e.g. Galileo Boutique Hotel · Hotel Tirol Bariloche
Day 2 Around Bariloche
🌡 -1.5–32.3°C · 🌧 ~5 rain days · ☀ 14.6h light
09:00
Sendero de los Arrayaneshikingbeaches & cliffs
Hike through forests with stunning lake vistas.
90 min · Bariloche
10:30
Cerro Frey trekhikingbeaches & cliffs
Trek diverse routes with options to skate or climb.
90 min · Bariloche
12:00
Pampa Linda & Mount Tronadorhikinglocal & traditional
Experience multi-day hikes with diverse trails and lodging.
90 min · Bariloche
13:30
Huemul Project Sitebeaches & cliffs
Explore remnants of an ambitious fusion power experiment.
50 min · Bariloche
14:20
Los Arrayanes National Parklocal & traditional
Walk among rare orange trees on a tranquil island.
90 min · Bariloche
15:50
Circuito Chicohiking
Bike or hike a scenic 25-km trail with mountain views.
90 min · Bariloche
Overnight: Bariloche
e.g. Galileo Boutique Hotel · Hotel Tirol Bariloche
Day 3 San Martín de los Andes
🌡 -2.1–31.9°C · 🌧 ~4 rain days · ☀ 14.6h light
11:26
Chapelco Golf Resortcraft beer & pubs
Play on a Jack Nicklaus-designed course with breathtaking views.
90 min · San Martín de los Andes
open: Daily 10:00 - 18:00
12:56
Cerro Chapelcohiking
Glide down pristine slopes at the renowned Chapelco ski resort.
90 min · San Martín de los Andes
14:26
Cascada Sepulveda
Marvel at the powerful rush of a high seasonal waterfall.
50 min · San Martín de los Andes
15:16
Corazon Contentocoffee & bakes
Savor fresh empanadas and vegan delights in a warm cafe setting.
60 min · San Martín de los Andes
open: Daily 09:00 - 23:30
18:30
Doña Quelalocal & traditional
Delight in hearty Patagonian dishes paired with live piano music.
75 min · San Martín de los Andes · AR$20,000
open: Daily 12:00 - 00:00
Overnight: San Martín de los Andes
e.g. Antares Patagonia · Ensueño
See the remaining 2 days of the 5-day plan →
Route map
Similar journeys
- Argentina's Northwest — 800 km loop · 5–8 days
- Salar de Uyuni & the Altiplano — Uyuni → Sucre · 4–7 days
- Rio & the Costa Verde — Rio → Paraty · 3–6 days