Ruta de los 7 Lagos, an iconic drive in Patagonia
Argentina, south-america
107 km
N/A
easy
Year-round
Okay, picture this: you're cruising through northwest Patagonia in northern Argentina, wind in your hair (maybe!), on the legendary Ruta de los 7 Lagos – the Seven Lakes Route! This baby is paved from start to finish, winding you through some of the most breathtaking landscapes you've ever seen.
Think crystal-clear, deep-blue lakes reflecting snow-capped Andes mountains, lush forests, and cascading waterfalls. You'll be driving through Lanín and Nahuel Huapi National Parks, so keep your eyes peeled for incredible wildlife. The road gets its name from the seven stunning lakes it connects: Machónico, Escondido, Correntoso, Espejo, Lácar, Falkner, and Villarino.
The whole shebang is about 107km (66 miles) between Villa La Angostura and San Martin de los Andes. I'd say dedicate a full day to really soak it all in, with plenty of stops for photos and maybe a picnic by one of those gorgeous lakes. Just a heads-up: you might share the road with some semi-trailer trucks, so stay alert and enjoy the ride! Trust me, this is one road trip you won't forget.
Where is it?
Ruta de los 7 Lagos, an iconic drive in Patagonia is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -34.5745, -61.9970
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Length
- 107 km
- Difficulty
- easy
- Coordinates
- -34.5745, -61.9970
Related Roads in south-america
moderateWhere is Salar de Uyuni?
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Ever dreamt of driving across a seemingly endless expanse of blinding white? Then buckle up and head to Salar de Uyuni in southwest Bolivia! This place is seriously unreal. Imagine a 10,500 square kilometer salt flat, the biggest on the planet, surrounded by the majestic Andes Mountains. It’s like driving on a frozen ocean...except it's salt! Your destination? Isla Incahuasi, or "house of the Inca." This island is smack-dab in the middle of the salt flat. The "road" to get there? Well, it's pure, unadulterated salt. It's a bumpy ride, but trust me, the views are worth every jostle. Keep in mind that this isn't your typical road trip. We're talking basic conditions and cold weather. Accommodation is in simple refuges. But the otherworldly scenery? Absolutely breathtaking. Just a heads-up: when the rainy season hits and the salt flat floods, Isla Incahuasi becomes off-limits. So, plan accordingly and prepare for an adventure you won't soon forget!
moderateDriving the breathtaking road to Paso Caquella
🇧🇴 Bolivia
Okay, buckle up, adventure seekers, because Paso Caquella in Bolivia is calling your name! This beast of a mountain pass clocks in at a whopping 14,278 feet above sea level, nestled in the Potosí Department near the Chilean border. Forget pavement; we're talking pure, unadulterated dirt road all the way to the top. You'll be cruising on Carretera 701, and trust me, you'll NEED a 4x4 to tackle this one. The road's not terrible, but it definitely gets a little rougher as you climb higher. This epic stretch spans about 48.5 miles between Estación Avaroa and Villa Alota, running from west to east. The climb itself is pretty gentle, mostly flat with a max gradient of around 5%. Named after the mighty Caquella volcano, this drive serves up some seriously stunning views of volcanoes and shimmering salt flats. Get ready to feel like you're on another planet!
extremeCuesta de la Chilca
🇦🇷 Argentina
Guys, Ruta Provincial 48 in Catamarca Province, Argentina, is insane. They call it Cuesta de la Chilca, and it’s a totally improbable dirt road clinging to a cliff edge. Think twenty-seven hairpin turns stacked practically on top of each other as you claw your way up! Seriously, this narrow path is not for the faint of heart. Got vertigo? Stay home. Afraid of landslides? Nope. Expect traffic, rain, and fog pretty much all the time. The mist can get so thick you can barely see, so drive carefully. And maybe skip the big lunch – all those twists and turns at high altitude might make you queasy. Oh, and did I mention there are zero guardrails protecting you from drops of hundreds of meters? Yeah, fun times! Cuesta de la Chilca is only 14.5 km, but packs a serious punch. You start at 1,175m above sea level and end up at 1,875m, gaining 700 meters in elevation. That's an average grade of 4.82%, but with sections hitting 10%! The gravel surface is often loose, so watch your tires. Because you’re climbing thousands of feet through remote areas, come prepared. This track can get super muddy and slippery after rain, and even 4x4s might not make it through. If there’s a storm, the road might be completely impassable. Basically, it’s epic... if you're up for it!
extremeNevado Huayracancha: Driving to 5,045m through the Peruvian mining heartland
🇵🇪 Peru
Buckle up for Nevado Huayracancha, one of Peru's most epic (and challenging!) high-altitude routes. Straddling the Lima and Junin border, this crazy road climbs to a lung-busting 5,045m (16,551ft)! This 28.7 km (17.83 mile) stretch slices through the heart of the Andes, connecting the mining hub of Casapalca with Victoria. Get ready for views of stunning high-altitude lagoons like Pumatared and Pumacocha, all framed by jagged, glacier-topped peaks and mineral-rich mountains. Seriously, the scenery is mind-blowing! The road itself is a mix of gravel and dirt, so while most cars *can* technically manage in good weather, it’s not always a smooth ride. Watch out for massive mining trucks and buses—they practically own the road and don’t leave much room! Rain or snow can quickly turn the surface into a rutted mess, so ground clearance is your friend here. The altitude is the real beast. At over 5,000 meters, your engine will feel sluggish (expect about half the power!), and altitude sickness (soroche) is a serious risk. Take it slow, be acclimatized, and be prepared for steep sections where momentum is key, especially when you meet those trucks on tight corners. Oh, and the weather? Totally unpredictable. Even in summer, snowstorms can roll in, turning the track into a slippery nightmare. High winds are the norm, and temperatures can plummet below freezing in a heartbeat. This road closes frequently due to snow, so check the forecast and pack emergency supplies, including extra fuel and maybe some oxygen. It's an adventure you won't forget!