Grey Glacier is undoubtedly among the most striking destinations within Torres del Paine National Park. Part of the Southern Ice Field, this ice giant stretches as far as the eye can see. As the world’s third-largest freshwater reserve, it is a must-see attraction for guests at Las Torres Patagonia, the ideal starting point for the full experience. Grey Glacier combines adventure, breathtaking landscapes and a unique connection with nature, whether you are interested in sailing to the glacier, taking a challenging hike or capturing unforgettable photographs.
Las Torres Patagonia offers several circuits to bring you closer to Grey Glacier as part of the famous W Circuit or an excursion designed for a more expeditious visit. In the following blog, we tell you how to get there, what to do, what to bring and where to stay to help you prepare for this magnificent experience.
Getting to Grey Glacier with Las Torres Patagonia
To get to Grey Glacier, we must first pinpoint its location on the northwest side of the park, on the Paine Massif, which gives shape to the national park. Like a long beard of water, Lake Grey extends from the ice massif, framing the park’s west side.
We recommend the Full Paine-Grey Glacier tour, one of our most popular excursions for Hotel Las Torres guests. Our van will take you comfortably through the park’s main attractions, including the Black Bridge, the Nordenskjöld and Sarmiento Lookouts, Lake Pehoé and the impressive Salto Grande waterfall.
The experience culminates at Lake Grey, where you can opt for a stroll along its southern shore to see the floating icebergs or embark on an optional three-hour catamaran ride to the majestic Grey Glacier. At 19 km long and 6 km wide, the largest glacier in the park offers an unforgettable natural spectacle. The tour includes transportation, a delicious lunch and a bilingual guide who will enrich your experience with information and anecdotes about this corner of Patagonia.
Importantly, this tour is exclusively for Hotel Las Torres guests. It starts from the hotel reception on the morning of the tour—reservations are required. We also offer other ways to see Grey Glacier as part of our W Circuit, W Express and O Circuit programs.
Adventures on ice: Activities on Grey Glacier
One of the most popular activities is the catamaran trip to Grey Glacier, where visitors get a close-up view of the blue ice walls that tower more than 30 meters above the surface. You will see floating icebergs, hear the roar of the ice breaking off and enjoy a glass of thousand-year-old ice, courtesy of the glacier. This activity offers a unique perspective of this dynamic, changing landscape and is accessible to all types of visitors.
A walk along the lake shore will take you to another lookout on the peninsula. The one-hour hike will make you feel like you are on an expedition on a small island. At the northern end, there is an excellent spot to sit on a bench, contemplate the glacier and let nature flood your senses.
Nature, history and climate change
Grey Glacier is a vast white mantle that originated thousands of years ago. Some claim its name comes from the blue-gray color the ice takes on due to the extreme compaction of the snow and the absence of air bubbles.
This glacier’s significant retreat in recent decades made it a point of reference in climate change studies. Scientists estimate it lost more than a kilometer in length and tens of meters in thickness between 1990 and 2020.
The retreat of Grey Glacier is a visible testimony to global warming. Scientists constantly monitor its advance and retreat, lake water temperature and ice-shedding patterns. Despite these changes, it remains a breathtaking spectacle, where the silence of the surroundings is interrupted only by the roar of a falling piece of ice.
Tips for exploring and photographing Grey Glacier
Wearing layered waterproof, technical garments and windbreakers is vital to safely and comfortably enjoy the excursion to Grey Glacier, as the weather in Patagonia changes quickly.
There may be days when temperatures are very low, especially near the glacier, so a good jacket, gloves and warm shoes are essential.
The best spots to photograph the glacier are from the lookouts near the lake, the catamaran on Lake Grey and certain sections of the W Circuit, where you can see the glacier from above.
Sunrise and sunset create unique photographic opportunities as the light plays with the blue and white tones of the ice. The surrounding area’s flora like lenga (Nothofagus pumilio) and notro (Embothrium coccineum); fauna such as fox, huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus); and birds like the condor or the Magellanic woodpecker, round off a profoundly natural experience.
For more information about this excursion and to be captivated by the impressive ice walls, visit the following link: https://lastorres.com/en/circuitos-por-el-dia/full-paine-glacier-grey/
You can also check out our W Express Circuit program here:
https://lastorres.com/en/hikking-circuits/w-circuit-express/