Viedma Glacier
Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Stretching for 607 square-miles (977 square-kilometers) from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field to the western shores of Viedma Lake, Viedma Glacier is Argentina’s largest glacier. As the centrepiece of the UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park, the glacier features towering icebergs and jagged ice cliffs.
The Basics
For the best views of the glacier, take a boat tour of Viedma Lake—cruises typically pass beneath dramatic walls of ice and icebergs, and include a hike on one of the glaciers. If you’re an adventurous traveler, opt for a glacier hike or ice climbing excursion, which use crampons and ice picks to navigate the icy terrain of the glacier. Bear in mind that hikes along the Viedma Glacier tend to be challenging and require a reasonable level of fitness.
Things to Know Before You Go
The area around the Viedma Glacier is ideal for adventurous travelers. Summer activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, and glacier hiking, all of which offer great views of the glacier.
Temperatures can be cold on the lake even in the summer months, so bring warm clothes and dress in layers.
Though its cold, sunglasses and sunscreen are also a good idea as glaciers reflect the sunlight and therefore increase the chance of sunburn.
How to Get There
The easiest access point for the Viedma Glacier is the town of El Chaltén, located in the north of Los Glaciares National Park. Cruises across Viedma Lake leave from Tunel Bay port, a 20-minute drive from El Chaltén. The closest international airport is in El Calafate, which is 125 miles (200 kilometers) south of El Chaltén.
When to Get There
Summertime is the most popular time for lake cruises and hikes, making advance booking essential between January and April. Temperatures drop below freezing in the middle of winter, meaning that cruises tend to stop operating from June through September.
Hiking the Huemul Circuit
If you’re an avid hiker and want to bag the best views of the Viedma Glacier, tackle the Huemul Circuit. The 40-mile (60-kilometer) hiking trail follows a spectacular route through the Rio Túnel Valley, the Viento mountain pass, and the Huemul mountain pass. The route takes around four days and leads to some of the most remote viewpoints of Los Glaciares National Park, which reveals views of Viedma Lake, Viedma Glacier, and Mt Huemul.
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