Grey Glacier, Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park, Chile
Grey Glacier is a massive expanse of ice within Torres del Paine National Park that descends from high mountain terrain down to the waters of Grey Lake. The ice face stretches across a considerable width and towers over the water below, creating a striking contrast between the white ice and the deep blue of the lake.
This glacier formed during the last ice age several tens of thousands of years ago as part of a vast ice field spanning Patagonia. Over time it has retreated and transformed, with large sections regularly breaking away and falling into the lake below.
Local indigenous Kawésqar people maintained spiritual connections to the glacier territories, considering them sacred spaces within their ancestral lands.
The best way to see the glacier is by boat from accommodation near the lake or on foot using the park's hiking trails. Access options vary depending on season and weather, so it helps to check conditions ahead of time.
Large chunks of ice regularly break away from the glacier face and crash into the lake with a thunderous roar, offering visitors a spectacular natural event. These calving episodes happen year-round, with some being small and others large enough to be clearly visible from the shore or boats.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
