Huahum Pass
Encyclopedia
Huahum Pass is an international mountain pass
in the Andes
between Chile
and Argentina
. The pass takes its name from the Huahum River
that flows from Argentina into Chile at the site of the border crossing. Even though the pass does not go through the continental divide
, it crosses the highest peaks of the cordillera. It is one of the lowest passes of the southern Andes at 659 meters above sea level which means that unlike other nearby Chile-Argentina passes it never closes due to snow fall and is open year-round. The pass is used primarily for tourism as the Chilean 203-CH road is interrupted by Pirihueico Lake
. A ferry
equipped to transport vehicles as well as people may be taken to Puerto Fuy
, on the other side of Pirihueico Lake
. The ferry ride lasts approximately 2 hours.
It is the main pass of the Chilean Los Ríos Region
to Neuquén Province
in Argentina. The main cities on both sides of the pass are Panguipulli
in Chile and San Martín de los Andes
(45 km from the pass in Argentina).
Mountain pass
A mountain pass is a route through a mountain range or over a ridge. If following the lowest possible route, a pass is locally the highest point on that route...
in the Andes
Andes
The Andes is the world's longest continental mountain range. It is a continual range of highlands along the western coast of South America. This range is about long, about to wide , and of an average height of about .Along its length, the Andes is split into several ranges, which are separated...
between Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
and Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. The pass takes its name from the Huahum River
Huahum River
The Huahum River or Río Huahum, as it is known locally, is a river in southern Chile and Argentina. It drains the waters of Lácar Lake in Argentina to Pirihueico Lake in Chile. The river gives name to Huahum Pass, an international mountain pass on the border between Chile and Argentina....
that flows from Argentina into Chile at the site of the border crossing. Even though the pass does not go through the continental divide
Continental divide
A continental divide is a drainage divide on a continent such that the drainage basin on one side of the divide feeds into one ocean or sea, and the basin on the other side either feeds into a different ocean or sea, or else is endorheic, not connected to the open sea...
, it crosses the highest peaks of the cordillera. It is one of the lowest passes of the southern Andes at 659 meters above sea level which means that unlike other nearby Chile-Argentina passes it never closes due to snow fall and is open year-round. The pass is used primarily for tourism as the Chilean 203-CH road is interrupted by Pirihueico Lake
Pirihueico Lake
Pirihueico Lake is one of Seven Lakes in Panguipullis municipality, southern Chile. The lake is of glacial origin and it is enclosed mountains of the Andes. It is located in a geological fault that includes Panguipulli Lake and Lácar Lake in Argentina. The lake is drained by Fui River. Pirihueico...
. A ferry
Ferry
A ferry is a form of transportation, usually a boat, but sometimes a ship, used to carry primarily passengers, and sometimes vehicles and cargo as well, across a body of water. Most ferries operate on regular, frequent, return services...
equipped to transport vehicles as well as people may be taken to Puerto Fuy
Puerto Fuy
Puerto Fuy is a Chilean village in Panguipulli commune, of Los Ríos Region. Puerto Fuy lies along the 203-CH route to Huahum Pass into Argentina at western edge of Pirihueico Lake and is a terminal station of the ferry that corsses the lake connecting to Puerto Pirihueico....
, on the other side of Pirihueico Lake
Pirihueico Lake
Pirihueico Lake is one of Seven Lakes in Panguipullis municipality, southern Chile. The lake is of glacial origin and it is enclosed mountains of the Andes. It is located in a geological fault that includes Panguipulli Lake and Lácar Lake in Argentina. The lake is drained by Fui River. Pirihueico...
. The ferry ride lasts approximately 2 hours.
It is the main pass of the Chilean Los Ríos Region
Los Ríos Region
The XIV Los Ríos Region is one of Chile's 15 first order administrative divisions. Its capital is Valdivia. Pop. 356,396 . It began to operate as region on October 2, 2007. It was created by subdividing the Los Lagos Region in southern Chile...
to Neuquén Province
Neuquén Province
Neuquén is a province of Argentina, located in the west of the country, at the northern end of Patagonia. It borders Mendoza Province to the north, Rio Negro Province to the southeast, and Chile to the west...
in Argentina. The main cities on both sides of the pass are Panguipulli
Panguipulli, Chile
Panguipulli is city and commune in Valdivia Province, southern Chile, administered by the Municipality of Panguipulli. The town is known for its natural beauty and is called "City of roses" . Panguipulli is located on the western edge of Panguipulli Lake, and is on a moraine in the Chilean Central...
in Chile and San Martín de los Andes
San Martín de los Andes
-References:* - Official website.-External links:*...
(45 km from the pass in Argentina).
External links
- Official site of Huahum Pass by Argentine National GendarmerieArgentine National GendarmerieThe Argentine National Gendarmerie is the gendarmerie and corps of border guards of Argentina.The Argentine National Gendarmerie has a strength of 12,000....