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Some 20km south of Bariloche is Cerro Catedral , named after the Gothic spires of rock that make up this craggy massif's summits (2405m). In summer, the village of VILLA CATEDRAL at the foot of the bowl (just over 1000m) is the starting point for several fantastic treks, and you can take a cable car and then a chair lift to reach Refugio Lynch near the summit (1870m; $16). Views from here and from the ridge above are superb. In winter, the village serves the main ski-resort, with an infrastructure that includes hotels, restaurants, and shops offering ski rental. There are 67km of pistes, and descents of up to 4km in length. July and August are the busiest months to visit, with a day pass costing as much as $40. Buses (3 de Mayo) leave from Moreno 470 in Bariloche; alternatively, you could take a half-day organized trip to the village (4hr 30min; $13). The so-called Circuito Grande is a loop of 240km that takes you up past the rock formations of the Valle Encantado ("Enchanted Valley") of the Rio Limay, on to the Mirador del Traful and Villa Traful, past Lagos Correntoso and Espejo, and then returns via Villa La Angostura. A more tiring day-trip is the famous Ruta de los Siete Lagos (Seven Lakes Route) to San Martin de los Andes, which involves either 360km of driving if returning via the Paso Cordoba, or 460km on the paved route returning via Junin and La Rinconada. The lake section is being paved, but calculate on at least a twelve-hour day ($34). If you can form a group, it's better to rent a car for this than to take a tour (ensure you get unlimited mileage), but you'll want to share the driving. Alternatively, arrange an itinerary with a remise taxi. If you use public transport, the Ko-Ko bus from the terminal goes to San Martin by the Seven Lakes Route during the summer (tel 02944/425914; it goes via La Rinconada in winter, 4hr 30min); or Albus (tel 02944/421689) goes via the Seven Lakes Route (daily, 6.30pm; $17), unless conditions are bad, in which case it goes via La Rinconada.
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