Arrayán Viewpoint Tour

San Martín de los Andes is one of the most picturesque cities in Argentinian Patagonia. The surrounding hills and the head of Lake Lácar offer balconies from where visitors may admire the natural environment and the particular urban architecture. Arrayán Viewpoint is one of the most popular. Any time of the year, it features the changes in the woods, the vastness of the lake and the smoke coming out of the chimneys in town will guarantee the best of postcards.

Determined to drive uphill, we took the narrow road that leads to Arrayán Tea House. We passed by the former Hotel Sol de los Andes building and our way was lined by the evergreen foliage of huge cypresses. The sound of the 7-Lake Road was soon left behind and silence could be heard all around.

One kilometer ahead, the signs indicated that we had arrived at Arrayán Viewpoint. A very solid wooden footbridge and balcony let us become detached from the vegetation and feel the western wind –soft but tangible- on our faces. It was then when the city murmur reappeared on the lakefront, as well as the engines of several watercrafts that moved around the somewhat rough surface of the lake.

We looked down as if looking for the spot where each tree started and then followed all the way up to its canopy to notice its height. We were standing before some ancient species that have populated this hillside welcoming the influence of the four seasons for who knows how long.

We saw some visitors beholding the place and then they just left. We chose to observe every detail in order to print them clearly on our minds. Few times does unspoiled nature wrap us up in such a way, making us feel the need to have such kind of contact.

Various cyclists wearing the typical apparel and helmets passed by our side on their mountain bikes. The circuit is usually covered by sportsmen and amateurs during their training sessions.

Holding our cameras, we found various angles to shot photos and take home a souvenir from San Martín de los Andes. The wonderful viewpoint was available for us for as long as we needed to enjoy it.