Mamuil Malal Pass: a border road in the Andes

Mamuil Malal Pass: a border road in the Andes

Argentina, south-america

Length

84.9 km

Elevation

1,253 m

Difficulty

moderate

Best Season

Year-round

Okay, adventurers, listen up! Let me tell you about Paso Mamuil Malal, also known as Paso Tromen, a totally awesome international mountain pass chilling at 1,253m (4,111ft) between Chile and Argentina.

You'll find this gem hanging out north of the Lanín Volcano, connecting the Araucanía Region in Chile with the Neuquén Province in Argentina. Pro tip: double-check the time zones at the tourist offices before you go, because Chile loves to switch things up seasonally!

The road stretches for about 85 km (53 miles) from Curarrehue in Chile to Malleo in Argentina. On the Chilean side, Ruta CH-199 will get you started from the Pan-American Highway near Freire, and it's been fully paved since 2017 - smooth sailing! Once you cross into Argentina, you'll be cruising on Ruta 60. Heads up: the final 12 km (7.5 miles) to the pass are unpaved, but word on the street is they're planning to change that.

Keep in mind that this pass can get snowy in the winter, so closures are possible, and snow chains are a must during those colder months. All that said, the views high up in the Andes are absolutely unforgettable!

Where is it?

Mamuil Malal Pass: a border road in the Andes is located in Argentina (south-america). Coordinates: -38.5932, -61.4086

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Road Details

Country
Argentina
Continent
south-america
Length
84.9 km
Max Elevation
1,253 m
Difficulty
moderate
Coordinates
-38.5932, -61.4086

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