LAKES LOLOG AND CURRUHUE AREA 1
Lake Lolog and Puerto Arturo
The zone of Lake Lolog lies 16km away from downtown San Martín de los Andes along Provincial Route 62. This extensive water body boasts plenty of delightful beaches. The beach known as Playa Bonita is located at the head of the lake. This quiet sandy beach offers the chance to enjoy the vastness of the lake and the mountains, water sports or just sunbathing. The road bordering the lake leads to Puerto Arturo, 8km away. This close bay has a berth for sport watercrafts and a wilderness campsite. This is the ideal starting point for fishing outings in the lake. Likewise, a trail leading to the small lake known as Laguna Verde, one of the most attractive hiking destinations in the area, starts at this point. How to get there: This place is accessed following National Route 40 up to the intersection with Provincial Route 62 (second roundabout). Af ter crossing the mountain cavalry regiment called RCM4 (Regimiento de Caballería de Montaña 4), the road is made of gravel. The head of Lake Lolog is reached after 12km. | Duration: half a day. | Total roundtrip from SMA: 24km up to Lake Lolog. | Recommendation: check road conditions in advance. | Note: there is a summer camping area next to Puerto Arturno Lanín National Park station.
2
Lake Curruhue, Escorial and Lahuen Co Hot Springs
The area of Lake Curruhue –Mapuche word for “dark place” due to the volcanic past of this zone- lies across Provincial Route 62. A natural viewpoint shows off the vastness of the local scenery. Following Provincial Route 62, visitors will get to the so-called Escorial. This is a magnificent river of petrified lava that starts at the foothills of the Achen Niyeú Volcano and gets deep into the waters of Lake Epulafquen. Farther ahead, Lahuen Co Hot Springs are reached. This venue offers pools of thermal water, rich in mineral properties. At the end of the circuit, the Republic of Chile may be accessed across Carirriñe International Pass. How to get there: This area is accessed through Provincial Route 62 after crossing the bridge over the Quilquihue River, at the head of Lake Lolog. Continue driving along the gravel road up to the area of Lakes Curruhué and the Lahuen Co hot springs. | Duration: all day. | Total roundtrip from S M A : 18 0 k m u p t o L a h u e n C o H o t S p r i n g s . | Recommendation: check road conditions in advance in the winter season. | Note: There are several camping areas in the surroundings in the summer.
HUECHULAFQUEN AND LANÍN VOLCANO AREA 3
Lakes Huechulaufquen and Paimún. Lanín Volcano
Lake Huechulaufquen lies 64km away from San Martín de los Andes. During the journey, you will be able to see a fish farming station, Mapuche communities, camping zones and the mouth of the famous Chimehuin River, one of the best known fly-fishing destinations in the world. Provincial Route 61 goes alongside the lakeshore. The park ranger station and the Visitors’ Center of Puerto Canoa are located on this road. Wonderful beaches and matchless sights may be enjoyed at this incredible spot in the heart of Lanín National Park. Unique views of the Lanín Volcano may be caught on the way. In the Mapuche tongue, Lanin stands for “dead rock”. Boasting an altitude of 3,776 meters MSL, there is no doubt that this volcano is an emblem of the area and the entire Province of Neuquén. This mountain has become an international tourist attraction, especially as far as high mountain sports activities are concerned. It is relatively simple to climb its north face, basically in the spring and summer from the access to Lake Tromen. How to get there: Take National Route 40 towards the north. Travel 46km and cross the City of Junín de los Andes. You will see the facilities of the mountain infantry regiment known as RIM26 (Regimiento de Infantería de Montaña N° 26). Right before crossing
7 LAKES AREA 5
7 Lakes
The emblematic Seven Lakes Road (National Route 40) joins San Martín de los Andes and the City of Villa La Angostura along 110km. It goes across incredible viewpoints, cascades, native communities and alongside Lakes Machónico, Falkner, Villarino, Escondido, Espejo, Correntoso and Nahuel Huapi. On the other hand, this road represents the main tourist corridor in the region and joins the three most important tourist destinations in Neuquén and Río Negro; namely: San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura and San Carlos de Bariloche. How to get there: Take the road starting at the end of the Lake Lácar waterfront and turn right into National Route 40
(Seven Lakes Road). | Duration: all day. | Total roundtrip from SMA to VLA: 220km. | Recommendation: Check road conditions in advance in the winter season. | Note: there are several camping areas and gastronomic venues in the surroundings.
6
Meliquina, Paso Córdoba and Villa Traful
Take National Route 40 at San Martin de los Andes and travel 27km bordering Lake Lácar. Then turn left into Provincial Route 63, which leads to Villa Meliquina. This picturesque site
is dwelled by few families who chose to emigrate from the big cities and settle down in a magical place in Patagonia. Continue driving along Provincial Route 63 across the matchless scenes of Paso Córdoba and access the site known as Confluencia. Then turn into Provincial Route 65 and reach Villa Traful, which lies 35km away. This charming mountain village is nestled in the heart of Nahuel Huapi National Park and has a steady population of 1,000 denizens. Visitors may spend an amazing day visiting viewpoints, cascades and spectacular Lake Traful. How to get there: Take the road starting at the end of the Lake Lácar waterfront and turn right into National Route 40 (Seven Lakes Road). After having covered 27km and crossed the bridge over the Hermoso River, turn left into Provincial Route 63. | Duration: half a day.
the bridge over the Chimehuin River, turn left into RP61. This gravel road leads to Lake Huechulafquen, lying 22km away. | Duration: all day. | Total roundtrip from SMA: 200km. | Recommendation: check road conditions in advance. | Note: there are several camping areas and gastronomic venues in the surroundings. Visitors will be charged the National Park entrance fee.
4
Tromen Circuit – Lanín Volcano
This gorgeous destination is located 3km away from the Chilean border, close to Mamuil Malal International Pass. The circuit is surrounded by a magnificent forest of ancient monkey-puzzle trees and the access to the Malleo River and Turbio Creek. This is the starting point towards Lake Tromen and the access trail that leads to the Lanín Volcano. How to get there: Take National Route 40 heading northwards and travel 46km to reach the City of Junín de los Andes. Cross the city and the Chimehuin River and turn into Provincial Route 23. You will cross the bridge over the Malleo River after 24km. Turn left into Provincial Route 60, which leads to Mamuil Malal international Pass (formerly known as Tromen) after 46km. The last 10km are made of gravel. | Total roundtrip from SMA: 220km. | Recommendation: check road conditions in advance. | Note: there are several camping areas in the surroundings.
www.sanmartindelosandes.gov.ar
Av. San Martín y J.M. de Rosas | @TurismoSMAndes /ViviSanMartindelosAndes
Tel: (02972) 425500/427347/427695 - Int. 106/107/108 | Po. Int. Cardenal Samoré
/ViviSMAndes
Lago Espejo
Lago Nahuel Huapi
Lago Escondido @sanmartindelosandes_arg
informes.turismo@smandes.gov.ar
VILLA TRAFUL
Lago Traful
64
6
Ma lle o
é
Ch Río im eh uín
6 63
19
JUNÍN DE LOS ANDES
A NEUQUÉN
A SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE
237
CONFLUENCIA
6
Cerro Chapelco
23
A NEUQUÉN
Aeropuerto Chapelco
Río Curruhu
61
Río
A ALUMINÉ
SAN MARTÍN LOS ANDES
Río Quilquihue
62
62
3
60
Lago Filo Hua Hum
Lago Meliquina
Pto. Arturo
VILLA LA ANGOSTURA
Lago Correntoso
65
Lago Falkner
5
Lago Hermoso
48
1
Quila Quina
Lago Machónico
Pichi Traful
2
Lago Huechulafquen
Lagos Curruhué Grande y Chico
Pto. Canoa
Lago Lolog
Lago Escondido
4
Lago Tromen
VOLCÁN LANÍN
4
Lago Lácar
2 2
3
Lago Paimún
Po. Int. Tromen ó Mamuil Malal
A PUCÓN
Lago Villarino
Po. Int. Hua Hum
A PANGUIPULLI
CHILE
Po. Int. Carririñe
Gravel Road Paved Road
San Martín de los Andes