Huahum Pass
Argentina, south-america
N/A
625 m
hard
Year-round
Okay, adventure awaits at Paso Huahum! This international mountain pass sits pretty high in the Andes, about 2,051 feet up, marking the border between Chile and Argentina. It's one of the lower passes around, making it a bit more accessible.
You'll find it connecting San Martín de los Andes in Argentina with Panguipulli in Chile. On the Chilean side, you're on Ruta CH-203, while Argentina calls it Ruta Provincial 48. Word of warning: both are gravel roads. Expect it to be unpaved, rocky, and steep on the Chilean side, but a bit more graded in Argentina. You can manage it in a 2WD with decent clearance if you take it slow and steady, especially on those long, dry stretches. Keep an eye out for washboarding, ruts, and dips!
Now for the really cool part: the Chilean side involves a ferry ride across Lake Pirihueico! The Hua Hum ferry is your ticket, running daily between Puerto Fuy and Puerto Pirihueico, clocking in at around 1.5 hours. This pass is a key route from Chile's Los Ríos Region into Argentina's Neuquén Province, and the best part? It stays open year-round – no snow closures here! The scenery is absolutely worth the trek!
Where is it?
Huahum Pass is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -38.4472, -63.1792
Road Details
- Country
- Argentina
- Continent
- south-america
- Max Elevation
- 625 m
- Difficulty
- hard
- Coordinates
- -38.4472, -63.1792
Related Roads in south-america
extremeThe Ultimate Guide to Traveling the Chimboya Pass
🇵🇪 Peru
Abra Chimboya is a high mountain pass at an elevation of 5.114m (16,778ft) above the sea level, located on the boundary between the regions of Cusco and Puno, in Peru. It’s one of the highest roads of the country. Set high in the Cordillera de Vilcanota range, the road to the summit is totally unpaved. It’s called CU-125. 4×4 vehicle required. Remember this is a mountainous area, climbing up a high mountain, with a notorius absence of oxygen. Altitude and extreme weather are always a factor. The road is steep and runs from Santa Barbara to Corani, Fog, snow and cold are common. Road suggested by: jorge manuel gómez sánchez https://skyhighandes.com/first-ascent-and-explorations-in-the-remote-north-eastern-cordillera-vilcanota/ Abra Llamaorgo: Driving one of the highest mountain passes in Peru Embark on a journey like never before! Navigate through our to discover the most spectacular roads of the world Drive Us to Your Road! With over 13,000 roads cataloged, we're always on the lookout for unique routes. Know of a road that deserves to be featured? Click to share your suggestion, and we may add it to dangerousroads.org.
extremeAn old mining road to Overo Volcano
🇦🇷 Argentina
Okay, adventure junkies, listen up! Deep in Argentina's Andes Mountains, in the San Rafael region of Mendoza, lies Volcán Overo, a dormant volcano reaching a staggering 14,701 feet. Getting to the top? Buckle up, it's a wild ride! This isn't your Sunday drive. The road is completely unpaved, rocky, and seriously steep. You'll need a 4x4 with serious clearance to even think about tackling this beast. We're talking hairpin turns galore – hundreds of them! Plus, remember you're way up high, so the air is thin, and the weather can change on a dime. Be prepared for altitude sickness! The road kicks off near Termas Del Sosneado and winds its way up to Refugio El Ángulo, a mountain refuge near the top. Fun fact: this whole road is an old mining route, built to reach the abandoned Minas de Azufre de Sominar (a sulfur mine). You'll even see the remnants of an old mining tram along the way! Be warned, the last stretch is so narrow, it's best tackled on a bike. The views? Absolutely epic. Get ready for some serious bragging rights when you conquer this one!
extremeTravel guide to the top of Cerro Uturuncu
🇧🇴 Bolivia
# Cerro Uturuncu: Bolivia's Sky-High Adventure Ready for one of the most extreme driving experiences on the planet? Head to the Potosí Department in southwestern Bolivia, where a rough gravel road climbs to a jaw-dropping 6,008 meters (19,711 feet) above sea level. This is seriously high—we're talking one of the loftiest roads anywhere in the world. The road winds up Cerro Uturuncu (also called Uturunku or Uturunco), a stratovolcano nestled in San Pablo de Lípez Municipality. Back in the day, this mountain hosted a sulfur mine, and the original unpaved road connecting to it was carved out between 1948 and 1950. These days, the route is maintained sporadically by local guides mostly for adventurous tourists. Here's the reality check: you'll absolutely need a solid 4x4 vehicle. The lower sections are sandy and manageable, but don't expect a smooth cruise. The first five kilometers average about an 8% grade, which steepens dramatically—hitting over 10% between 5,100 and 5,600 meters—before finally easing off near the top. Depending on the season, you might encounter loose rocks or even snow. The biggest villain? Oxygen deprivation. Once you push past 5,000 meters, your engine starts gasping for air almost as much as you will. Most vehicles get stopped by a landslide around 5,700 meters, though reports vary on exactly how far you can actually drive. (One enterprising French cycling team reportedly managed to pedal and push their way to the actual summit—respect.) What you get in return? Absolutely stunning Altiplano landscapes: active volcanoes, vibrant lagoons, and endless mountain vistas that'll make every labored breath worth it.
extremeLaguna Jalcuy
🇵🇪 Peru
Okay, picture this: You're in Peru, high in the Andes, about to tackle a wild gravel road up to Laguna Jalcuy, a stunning lagoon straddling the Lima and Pasco regions at a dizzying 16,158 feet! This isn't your average Sunday drive, folks. We're talking about a 6.2-mile climb with 13 hairpin turns that'll test your nerves. You'll gain over 1,000 feet in elevation, averaging a 3.26% gradient. The views? Absolutely breathtaking. The challenge? Very real. Keep in mind that the weather here can change in a heartbeat. Extreme weather is normal. And with that altitude, those winds can be brutal. Plus, you'll be navigating through Infiernillo Canyon, which is no walk in the park. This road demands respect, but the reward – that incredible lagoon view – is worth every white-knuckle moment!