After the delightful days in Caviahue, it was time to get back on the road. We had a good drive ahead to San Martin de Los Andes, and then to Bariloche.
Leaving Caviahue, we backtracked all the way back to Route 40, then headed south. The drive to San Martin de Los Andes was uneventful, the road in good conditions. It was cloudy and we could not see Volcan Lanin, what a shame!
We arrived in San Martin de Los Andes, found our accommodations, got some food ( thanks PedidosYa!), and rested. Then we noticed snow blowing and the skies darkening. It was a storm that lasted for 2 days, delaying our departure to Bariloche. Road conditions in the spring change rapidly, and it is best to stay safe.
San Martín de Los Andes is a town in Neuquen, by the shores of Lake Lacar. Nearby there is a sky resort (Chapelco). The town is quite beautiful, lively and with plenty of shopping and food opportunities. It is the gateway to the ‘Ruta de los 7 Lagos’ and the Nahuel Huapi national park.
The ‘7 Lagos ( 7 lakes)’ is a scenic road that starts in San Martin de Los Andes. There are lookout points everywhere, plenty of traffic and sometimes animals on the road. Caution is advised.
The first town we reached is Villa La Angostura, which sits at the shores of Lake Nahuel Huapi. This lake is huge, an Bariloche also sits by the same lake. Massive bodies of water.
La Angostura is a charming town, great for a pit stop and gift shopping. The road was excellent, so we continued to our destination, Bariloche.
Bariloche for many is the gateway to Patagonia, well served by flights from Buenos Aires. It is a town that has grown significantly due to the tourism industry. The town spreads along the slopes by the lake, so it is quite hilly. During our time in Bariloche it was quite windy, so we stayed in town and did not get a chance to partake on some of the wonderful hikes around.
Tips:
- Monitor the weather forecast and road conditions. Snow and wind combined can make for hazardous road conditions.
- Visit the Rapa Nui store in Bariloche. It has great chocolate, ice cream and even an indoor skating rink! The hot chocolate is superb.
- Be prepared for changing weather, and have fun.
Walk good,
Alex
Nuevo Nomads 