The Lake District.
Bariloche, deep lakes and Andean forest
Around San Carlos de Bariloche, the Andes break up into a maze of deep glacial lakes and forested peninsulas. The town sits on the shore of Lago Nahuel Huapi inside Argentina’s first national park: Alpine-style stone and timber, chocolate shops, and mountains straight out of the back door.
Summer is for walking, kayaking and boat trips to the islands; winter is for skiing on Cerro Catedral. North of Bariloche, the Route of the Seven Lakes runs to San Martín de los Andes past one lake after another.
- Getting there
- 2 h 20 flight from Buenos Aires
- How long
- Three to five nights. Add two if you drive the Seven Lakes road and stay in San Martín de los Andes or Villa La Angostura.
- Best time
- December to March for walking and the lakes; late March and April for autumn colour; July to September for skiing.
What to see.(04)
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01
Circuito Chico
A short scenic loop west of town, with the chairlift up Cerro Campanario for the classic view of the lakes.
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02
Route of the Seven Lakes
A day’s drive north through forest and lakes to San Martín de los Andes.
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03
Isla Victoria and the arrayanes
A boat across Nahuel Huapi to a forest of cinnamon-barked myrtle trees.
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04
Refugio hikes
Mountain huts reachable on foot, from an easy half day to a multi-day traverse.
From Lake District.
Straight-line distance and typical door-to-door time to every other stop.
How we work these out| To | Distance | Door to door | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iguazú | 2,315 km | about 10 h | 2 flights via Buenos Aires |
| Salta | 1,897 km | about 9 h | 2 flights via Mendoza (not every day) |
| Purmamarca | 2,007 km | about 11 h 30 | 2 flights via Buenos Aires |
| Mendoza | 942 km | about 4 h 30 | 1 flight (not every day) |
| Buenos Aires | 1,345 km | about 5 h | 1 flight |
| Puerto Madryn | 549 km | about 10 h 30 | 2 flights via Buenos Aires |
| El Chaltén | 920 km | about 8 h | 1 flight via El Calafate (not every day) |
| El Calafate | 1,027 km | about 5 h | 1 flight (not every day) |
| Ushuaia | 1,536 km | about 9 h | 2 flights via El Calafate (not every day) |
Practical.
The things to know before you add Lake District to a trip.
Getting there
Fly from Buenos Aires to Bariloche (BRC), a little over two hours.
When to go
December to March for walking and the lakes; late March and April for autumn colour; July to September for skiing.
How long to stay
Three to five nights. Add two if you drive the Seven Lakes road and stay in San Martín de los Andes or Villa La Angostura.
Watch out for
Bariloche is busy in January and in July, when Argentine school groups arrive. Book well ahead for those months.
Where to stay
See the kind of place we look for on our stays page.
Pairs well with.(03)
Plan a trip with Lake District.
We will tell you what fits with it, and in which order.