Los Glaciares National Park Guide | Top Glaciers & Hikes

Top things to see at Los Glaciares National Park

Los Glaciares has two very different moods. Up north, it’s all mountain trails and granite peaks. Down south, it turns into a world of ice. This is the part fed by the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, and it’s where the park’s biggest glaciers sit right at lake level.

Perito Moreno Glacier

Perito Moreno is the glacier most travelers meet first, and it’s the one that instantly explains why this park is famous. You don’t need a hike or a long boat ride, just step onto the walkways and the glacier fills your whole view. Its constant movement, deep cracks, and falling ice make it feel alive, and you can experience all of it up close without effort.

More about Perito Moreno Glacier

Upsala Glacier

Upsala sits farther from the main viewpoints, but the journey is part of its charm. You approach through still water dotted with icebergs, and the glacier appears slowly, stretching across a wide valley. Its impact isn’t about height but about scale. Broad, quiet, and open.

More about cruises to the Upsala Glacier

Glacier Spegazzini towering over turquoise waters, El Calafate, Patagonia, Argentina.

Spegazzini Glacier

Spegazzini rises almost straight out of the lake, giving it one of the most impressive faces in the park. As the boat gets closer, the details come into focus: deep blue pockets, sharp textures, and steep walls that shift in color with the light. It’s a glacier that rewards slow viewing, each angle revealing something new without trying too hard.

More about the cruises to Glaciar Spegazzini

Go beyond the glaciers

Yes, the glaciers steal most of the attention, but the park has a whole supporting cast of experiences that deserve their own screen time. These activities are fun, easy, and perfect for the part of your trip when you just want to explore without sweating for it.

Person walking towards Perito Moreno cruise boarding point with glacier in background.

Drift along Lake Argentino

Lake Argentino looks like someone turned up the saturation slider and forgot to turn it back down. Boat trips on the lake are relaxed, scenic, and perfect if your definition of “outdoor activity” involves sitting, snacking, and pointing at things that look cool. The water changes shades depending on the light, and every direction feels like a new postcard.

Find the right Perito Moreno boat tour

Tourists overlooking El Chaltén and Fitz Roy mountain range in Patagonia, Argentina.

Spend an afternoon in El Calafate

El Calafate isn’t just a basecamp; it’s a genuinely enjoyable little town. There are ice cream shops with Patagonian flavors you didn’t know existed, cozy cafés with “I could live here” vibes, and bars where travelers end up trading stories they probably shouldn’t. It’s the perfect place to unwind before or after glacier days.

Top El Calafate restaurants you shouldn’t miss

Ice bar with glass blocks and a person in a red coat peeking through a window.

Visit the Glaciarium

This modern museum makes glaciology surprisingly interesting. The exhibits are interactive, the explanations are actually clear, and you leave understanding why everything in this region looks the way it does. There’s also an ice bar made entirely of frozen blocks. Cheesy? Yes. Fun? Absolutely.

Puma perched on a tree in a snowy forest setting.

Spot wildlife you didn't know lived here

The park’s wildlife is shockingly one of its best features, and it barely gets talked about. Yet it should. You can often see: Andean condors, guanacos, grey foxes, and Rheas. And, if you’re very lucky, a puma passing through. Much of this you can see simply by exploring the open areas around the lakes or driving through the steppe.

Trails and hikes in Los Glaciares National Park

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Perito Moreno – Minitrekking

Why it’s worth doing: It’s the easiest way to step onto a glacier safely. The trip mixes a boat approach, a short forested walk, and a guided trek on Perito Moreno. High “wow” return for moderate effort.

Who it’s for: Moderately fit travelers who want to experience glacier walking without technical mountaineering.

Who should avoid: People with serious mobility issues, or those who can’t handle icy footing.

What the trail is like: Boat to the glacier peninsula, a short uneven walk through rocky/forest patches, then guided walk across relatively flat blue ice.

Start → End: Boat/meeting point at Perito Moreno visitor area (south face) → glacier walk → return.

Know more

Perito Moreno – Big Ice trek

Why it’s worth doing: This is a deeper, more demanding glacier experience. Longer ice time, more varied ice features, and it feels adventurous while still guided and safe.

Who it’s for: Fit, experienced hikers who are prepared for a full-day commitment.

Who should avoid: Novices who are uncomfortable on uneven terrain or those with mobility limits.

What the trail is like: Boat crossing, then longer hike to glacier edge; extended walk over ice walls and small ridges.

Start → End: Perito Moreno south face meeting point → glacier interior → return.

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Laguna Torre

Why it’s worth doing: Cerro Torre and its glacier appear like a staged reveal: the moraine, the lagoon, the seracs, and the approach feel cinematic. You’re moving toward a sharp mountain silhouette and a lake framed by ice debris.

Who it’s for: Hikers comfortable with a long day on varied terrain.

Who should avoid: People who panic on exposed, uneven ground or are not up for a 6–8+ hour outing.

What the trail is like: River valley walking, flat stretches that open to moraine and windy lagoon shores. Expect wind, shifting weather, and lots of photo stops.

Start → End: El Chaltén trailhead → Laguna Torre (out-and-back).

Loma del Pliegue Tumbado

Why it’s worth doing: If you want sweeping panoramas of Fitz Roy, Cerro Torre, glaciers and valleys, in one long sweep, this ridge delivers. The summit angle gives a 360° view that photos can’t fully capture.

Who it’s for: Experienced day-hikers who can handle sustained climbs and long descents.

Who should avoid: Unprepared hikers or those who can’t handle long technical ascents.

What the trail is like: Expect long switchbacks, sections of loose rock, and wide-open summit ridgelines with wind. The weather here changes fast.

Start → End: El Chaltén trailhead → Loma del Pliegue Tumbado summit → return.

Mirador de los Cóndores (and Mirador las Águilas)

Why it’s worth doing: Short climb that rewards with wide views of El Chaltén, valleys, and the chance to see condors circling.

Who it’s for: Families, low-effort travelers, sunrise chasers who want a quick panorama.

Who should avoid: People who can’t manage short uphill sections; otherwise, universally accessible.

What the trail is like: Steady climb on a path through shrubs and light forest with benches/viewpoints. Mostly shade to open-sky transitions; short enough to do early morning for good light.

Start → End: Trail near El Chaltén visitor center → Mirador de los Cóndores → return.

Lago del Desierto circuit

Why it’s worth doing: Quiet lakeside trails, old-growth lenga forest, and a calmer vibe than El Chaltén. This is a great day to unwind with water views.

Who it’s for: Anyone who wants scenic calm: photographers, couples, families.

Who should avoid: Those looking for a strenuous summit; this is restorative not punishing.

What the trail is like: Woodland loops and shore paths, with soft forest floor, occasional rock steps, and clearings for vistas.

Start → End: Trailheads at Lago del Desierto parking/port → loops around lake → return.

Laguna de los Tres (Fitz Roy)

Why it’s worth doing: You reach the base of Fitz Roy. The payoff is a glacial lake that frames the jagged granite like a painting.

Who it’s for: Fit day-hikers who want a classic Patagonia summit view without technical climbing.

Who should avoid: Casual strollers, people with major knee problems, or anyone short on time.

What the trail is like: Starts gently, then becomes a long, steady uphill with exposed rocky sections and a demanding final 2 km where the trail pitches. You move from the lenga forest into high alpine scrub; the final approach crosses moraine and tundra before the lake.

Start → End: El Chaltén trailhead (Avenida San Martín) → Laguna de los Tres → return same way.

Plan your visit to Los Glaciares National Park

From El Calafate

Bus: Takes about 1 hour 20 minutes and cost around ARS 28,000 one-way; they drop you at the park entrance, and you walk 10–15 minutes to the boardwalks.
Rental car: Renting a car is the most flexible option; the 80 km drive along Route 11 takes about 75 minutes on a fully paved highway.
Taxi/private transfer: They take about 1 hour and cost ARS 60,000–75,000 for a one-way ride.

Other ways:

From El Chaltén, reaching the southern sector takes about 3 hours by road (roughly 220 km), commonly used when combining both park regions.
Access from Chile is possible but involves border controls and boat transfers, and is suitable mainly for multi-day itineraries.

Getting to the Perito Moreno Glacier location made easy

Visitor hiking with guide on Perito Moreno Glacier, Patagonia, Argentina.

Opening hours:

From Sept 1 to Apr 30, the park is generally open 8am–8pm, with last entry around 6pm.
From May 1 to Aug 31, hours shift to 9am–6pm, and services operate on reduced schedules.

Best time to visit:

December to February offers the best weather, longest days, and full trail access.
October–November and March–April are ideal for fewer crowds and comfortable temperatures.
June–August is quiet and atmospheric but comes with snow, trail restrictions, and colder conditions.

Your quick guide to Perito Moreno Glacier opening hours

Stay on marked trails and boardwalks: The terrain around glaciers and forests is fragile and can be unstable. Stepping off the designated paths damages vegetation that takes decades to recover.
Drone use is strictly prohibited: Drones disturb wildlife, especially condors and nesting birds, and can disrupt rescue operations and tour groups. If you want aerial footage, book an approved scenic flight instead.
Pets are not allowed in the protected areas of the park: For their safety and the park’s, pets must remain in the towns of El Calafate or El Chaltén. This rule is non-negotiable and applies year-round.
Do not feed wildlife or approach animals: Foxes, guanacos, and bird species like rheas often appear close to trails. Keep a respectful distance, use a zoom lens for photos, and secure your food to avoid attracting animals.

Tourists with guide hiking near Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina.

Weather varies sharply between the northern (Fitz Roy–Torre) and southern (Perito Moreno) sectors. Checking the forecast for each sector separately prevents wasted travel.
If you’re choosing a day for long trails, prioritize days with low wind, not just good visibility.
Wildlife is easiest to spot in open steppe and lake-edge zones, not inside forests. If seeing guanacos, foxes, or condors matters to you, plan short detours to open landscapes.
Transport schedules between the two towns and the park do not run late. If you’re relying on buses, always check the last return time.
If you want quiet viewpoints, skip midday entirely. Most tour groups arrive between 11am and 3pm. Arriving right at opening or in the last hour before closing gives you far more peaceful viewing conditions across both sectors of the park.

Make the most of your Perito Moreno visit

Frequently asked questions about Los Glaciares National Park

How many glaciers in Argentina can be visited inside Parque Nacional Los Glaciares?

The park holds over 40 glaciers, including famous ones like Perito Moreno, Upsala, Spegazzini, and Torre.

Is Perito Moreno the only glacier accessible in Los Glaciares National Park?

No. Perito Moreno is the most accessible, but you can also visit the Spegazzini and Upsala glaciers by boat, and see Torre Glacier on hiking routes.

How much time do I need to explore the major glaciers in Argentina within the park?

Most travelers spend 2–3 days seeing Perito Moreno, taking a boat tour, and exploring viewpoints or hikes.

Is Los Glaciares National Park suitable for beginners or non-hikers?

Yes. The boardwalks at Perito Moreno and most boat excursions make Parque Nacional Los Glaciares accessible to all ages.

What is the best way to reach the biggest glaciers in Argentina from El Calafate?

Buses, rental cars, and tours all connect El Calafate with the southern sector of the park, where Perito Moreno and boat tours depart.

What kind of wildlife can I expect while visiting Parque Nacional Los Glaciares?

Expect condors, guanacos, foxes, rheas, and seasonal birdlife, especially around open valleys and lakes.

What are the official opening hours for Los Glaciares National Park?

Los Glaciares National Park is usually open 8am–8pm from September to April, and 9am–6pm from May to August, with earlier closures during storms or high winds.

What are the must-do hikes in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares?

The top hikes are Laguna de los Tres, Laguna Torre, and Loma del Pliegue Tumbado in the northern sector, and short scenic walks around the boardwalks in the southern part of the Argentina glacier park.