Backpacking along the Seven-Lake Road

The tour around Route 40, also known as the Seven-Lake Road, joins San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura and includes the chance to sleep under the dew. There are organized as well as primitive camping sites at certain spots. Adventurers just need to check which of them are open before setting out.

An advantage of this custom is that several bus lines connecting both districts let visitors access the camping sites located on the roadvery close to it. The typical habit is to buy a ticket to the final destination and stop at each of the camping sites in the area. Once the perfect site is chosen, it is essential to study the soil over which the tent will be pitched so as to ensure comfort and a pleasant stay. It is necessary to make sure the prevailing winds do not hit the access to the tent, that the trees protect it from the rain and that the ground is preferably made of grass and not dirt.

We set out from San Martín de los Andes on board a short distance bus. Not far from the starting point, on the right, before the access to Catritre Beach, there is a small and very quiet camping site overlooking Lake Lácar but with no access to the beach. Watched by Mount Chapelco in the background, we drove on amid Roble Pellín woods where the Mapuche community also offers plots to spend the night. At Lake Hermoso, an inner path leads to the lake bearing the same name. There is a dedicated campsite next to the river source.

We left Lanín National Park behind and entered Nahuel Huapi National Park, which contains several dedicated campsites, namely: the one on Lake Falkner, another one on Lake Pichi Traful and a third one on Lake Correntoso. The former is probably the most complete. It offers plenty of shade and a long sandy beach. Backpackers have their own sector inside this campsite to play the guitar at night. It is advisable to find out costs before entering, as this is the venue that offers the largest number of services.

Very close to this spot, Lake Villarino appears as a fantastic impromptu option, with good firewood but a little bit too much wind. In order to visit Lake Pichi Traful, it is necessary to drive along a 2-kilometer path that starts at the park ranger station in the area known as Villarino. This spot, where the northern arm of Lake Traful is a synonym for success as far as boat fishing is concerned, is chosen not only by anglers but also by many young people. The postcard features a splendid bay with a sandy beach and some grass, the shady huge coihues and an enormous surface to enjoy hiking. The Quintupuray family has settled down by Lake Correntoso for years on end. They grow sheep and beasts of burden. They run an inn and a coffee house. Their venue is located on a large pampa with a wonderful tree grove ideal to pitch tents in this quiet environment. These people usually have their pan ready to fry their tortas fritas. They also make home baked bread and delicious homemade jam they offer for sale. Camping is one of the activities that can get us closer to nature.

In Patagonia, hiking trails, the chance to use a kayak, the cascadesjust sitting to relish the aroma of the plants are worth a change of habit. It is a cold area, especially at night. Therefore, it is necessary to get used to these temperaturesto take all the necessary precautions as far as warm clothes and isolation from the wet ground are concerned. A good camp-fire, chatting until the crack of dawn and making new friends are enough reasons to choose this practice as a lifestyle. The Seven Lake Road gives evidence that the scenery is alive and that it has a lot to express, even though it cannot use words.

Useful Data:

• Mini Camping del Lácar National Route 40, 3.5 kilometer marker (No coast)
• Camping Rincón del Mochilero 500 m away from Route 40, Seven Lake Road
• Camping Lago Hermoso Seven Lake Road, 37 kilometers away from downtown San Martín de los Andes
• Camping Lago Falkner National Route 40, 50 kilometers away from San Martín de los Andes on the shores of Lake Falkner
• Camping Lago Pichi Traful 60 kilometers away from San Martín de los Andes
• Camping y Hostería Lago Correntoso On the lakeshore, 104 kilometers away from San Martín de los Andes
• Camping Agreste lago Espejo Chico 2 kilometers away from the Seven Lake Road, 87 kilometers away from San Martín de los Andes 

Find here hotels and accommodations in San Martín de los Andes

Tips

Bus and campsite fees: check at the local tourist office and bus station.

Fishing is not allowed without a permit. Anglers should be aware of the regulations in force.

Check local features with the locals and give them notice before going hiking.

Pack enough warm clothes, sandals to enter the lake, hiking shoes and comfortable trainers as well as a waterproof jacket. Temperatures are low, especially at night, even in the summertime.

It is essential to have a groundsheet under the sleeping bag and a flysheet to protect the tent roof.