At kilometer 48, Lago Nonthue ends and the Río Hua Hum begins; its waters flow into Lago Pirihueico in neighboring Chile. This transition from lake to river gives Paso Hua-hum a clear geographic reference point.

Finding your way along the Hua-Hum Route

The Hua-Hum loop is accessible via provincial highway RP 48. From RP 48, an internal road in Parque Nacional Lanín leads to the entrance to Cascada Chachín. From Hua Hum, you can drive a few more kilometers to the waterfall to visit it. This provides both clear directions for the loop and a way to find the waterfall for a side trip.

The Hua Hum area also includes a connection to Chile via the international Paso Hua Hum. The pass is a separate geographic reference point, distinct from the loop and the natural attractions along the Río Hua Hum.

Forest, river and beaches

The Hua-Hum Route passes through a mixed forest of Coihue, Raulí and Roble Pellín. In the lower-lying areas of Hua Hum, lush Valdivian rainforest reaches in from the west. This means that different forest landscapes can be found along the route and in the lower-lying areas.

Close to the destination, a signposted turnoff to the left at kilometer 27 on the Hua-Hum loop leads to the beaches of Yuco. There is also a gently sloping beach at the end of the loop at Hua Hum. These directions make it easy to distinguish Yuco as a side trip along the way from the beach at the end of the loop.

The transition from Lago Nonthue to the Río Hua Hum can also be understood geographically: the river continues on to Lago Pirihueico in Chile. The kilometer marker and the transition from lake to river show where the landscape’s name changes and where the water flows next.

Water and walking activities

Sport fishing is possible in the Hua Hum area, and rafting is offered on the Río Hua Hum. The Quila Quina–Hua Hum crossing is also part of the southern zone of Parque Nacional Lanín. This destination offers both water-based activities and a named crossing; they need not be understood as part of a single program.

If you plan to take part in one of these activities, check in advance whether the relevant offering is available at the time of your visit. The main difference to consider when choosing between a river activity and the crossing is the type of outing; no specific duration is given.

Cultural history and local orientation

Paso Hua Hum is considered an ancient exchange corridor for Indigenous peoples and, later, for immigrants of various nationalities who settled in the hamlet of Hua Hum. This sequence connects the corridor’s earlier role with the later settlement of the hamlet, giving the area a historical dimension alongside its natural features.

The Van Dorsser Museum tells the story of the area and also serves as an information center for Parque Nacional Lanín. There is an inn with a restaurant at the end of the loop at Hua Hum. If you plan to visit the museum or the inn, check the current opening hours in advance.

A broader perspective: Departamento Lácar

In the wider destination of Departamento Lácar, the Ruta de los Siete Lagos runs as a fully paved section of Ruta 40 for more than 96 kilometers. It connects Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi with Parque Nacional Lanín and can be started in San Martín de los Andes. This is a different geographic scale from the local directions for Hua Hum: the Ruta de los Siete Lagos describes a road section in Departamento Lácar, while RP 48 and the internal road to the entrance to Cascada Chachín help you find your way around the Hua Hum area.

This makes it possible to consider the regional road route separately from the specific natural, water and cultural features of Paso Hua-hum. When planning your trip, you can decide whether to focus on the Hua-Hum Route and its turnoffs or also include the wider road route through Departamento Lácar.

Discover more destinations: San Martin De Los Andes, Quilaquina.

Return to the broader travel overview: Departamento Lácar.