Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
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4
DRIVING BARILOCHE TO SAN MARTIN
There are four ways to get from Bariloche to San Martín de los Andes. Each has its pros
and cons. All head northeast of Bariloche on RN 237, however, with lovely picnic spots
and stunning scenery along the way. If you continue along the Limay Riv er, you'll jour-
ney past the riv er's impressive Amphiteatre and the Valle Encantado, with rare volcanic
rock formations, including the Dedo de Dios (Finger of God).
The only fully pav ed route takes y ou along the gorgeous Limay Riv er to Rinconada
and then loops to San Martín via
Junín de los Andes.
This route is the longest, at 260km
(161 miles), but it 's the one I r ecommend for safety if y ou are traveling in winter or at
night.
The second route takes you also along the Limay River but then heads west on a gravel
road just past Confluencia and over the incredibly wild and rugged
Córdoba Pass
before
joining the traditional S even Lakes Route, RP 234. This also takes y ou past the pictur-
esque Meliquina Lake, wher e you'll find a teahouse and general stor e. Soon after M el-
iquina, turn right on RP 231, the Ruta de los Siete Lagos (see below), to continue to San
Martín de los Andes. Turn left to return to Villa la Angostura.
The route that heads through
Villa Trafúl
at RP 65 can also be done as the “Circuito
Grande,” a nice day drive from Bariloche, looping through Villa La Angostura. At Con-
fluencia, y ou head w est along the Trafúl Riv er past the expansiv e Estancia P rimavera,
owned by a certain gringo by the name of Ted Turner. It then catches up to RP 231, the
Ruta de los Siete Lagos. Again, it's a right turn to San Martín de los Andes and a left turn
to Villa la Angostura. The Circuito Grande is 240km (148 miles) total, looping fr om
Bariloche.
Numerous daily buses link along these r oads as well. Campers can hop on and off at
their own pace.
The classic
Ruta de Los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Route),
is a direct trip from Villa
La Angostura to San Martín de los Andes. This road is now mostly paved, 184km (114
miles) from Bariloche, although road work continues at a snail's pace. This route affords
many excellent lookouts, shor t hikes, and picnic spots. You certainly need a full day to
complete the drive to San Martín and back to Villa la Angostura. After leaving the shores
of Nahuel Huapi Lake and the town of Villa La Angostura on RP 231, turn north on RP
234. The lakes actually amount to mor e than sev en, starting with Corr entoso, Espejo,
and Espejo Chico . At the junctur e of lakes Villarino and F alkner, the r ustic
Hostería
Lago Villarino
(
&
02972/427483
) is one of the only places to spend the night en oute,
besides numer ous campgr ounds. S hortly ther eafter, y ou cr oss the bor der into Lanín
National Park. You can check Hermoso, Machónico, and Lácar lakes off your list before
11
Moments
Villa Trafúl: A Timeless Mountain Hide-Out
On what is often referred to as the Circuito Grande (opposed to the Circuito
Chico that takes you to the Llao Llao), the delightful little village of Villa Trafúl
makes a great day trip from either Bariloche or Villa la Angostura. This lakeside
settlement 63km (39 miles) north of Villa La Angostura is home to some 300 peo-
ple, many descendants of original settlers. The town includes teahouses, camp-
grounds, and a few cabins for those who want to spend the night.
