Still water
Forest reflections.
Gabriel Patiño — CC BY-SA 3.0 · Gabriel Patiño — CC BY-SA 3.0 · scolussi — CC BY 2.0
Hermoso, «Beautiful», is a mountain lake in a valley at right angles to the Andes, only two kilometres off the Seven Lakes Road between San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura. Many travellers on the main road miss it, so it stays quieter than the other lakes. Its water is very clear and stays perfectly still through the night and morning, mirroring forests and mountains. Andean-Patagonian forest of lenga, coihue, ñire and some raulí surrounds it. Just before you reach it lies a small lagoon called Pudú-Pudú, after the world's smallest deer, which once lived here. From its shore you can walk or ride along a small stream. The area falls under Lanín National Park, with private land around it; the public shores suit picnics and paddling. Early morning, when the water is still, is the best time.
Forest reflections.
On the way.
Along the stream.
A 2 km turn-off from the Seven Lakes Road, Lácar department, Neuquén
Two kilometres off the Seven Lakes Road between San Martín de los Andes and Villa La Angostura.