Icalma Pass: a sensational border road
Paso Icalma is an international high mountain pass at an elevation of 1.307m (4,288ft) above the sea level located on the border of Argentina and Chile.
The pass is also known as Paso de Coipocahue. It is usually open all year round but adverse weather conditions are common. The pass is 14.8 km long and links the villages of Icalma (in the Araucanía Region of Chile) and Villa Pehuenia (in Neuquén Province in southwestern Argentina).
On the Argentinian side, the road to reach the summit is paved. It’s called Ruta Provincial 13. On the Chilean side, the road is called S61 and it is gravel. Paving works are on progress. It’s expected to be totally paved on 2021-2022. Near the summit there’s a border station.
Pic: Maurice Parraud