Top 10 Facts about Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

By Marianocecowski -Wikimedia

Top 6 Facts about Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina

Los Glaciares National Park is located in Santa Cruz province on the border of Argentina and Chile.  The Park on the Chilean side is called Torres del Paine National Park. Los Glaciares National Park covers major glaciers and high-altitude areas which cannot be easily accessed.

The park acts as a permanent conservation area and is also a protected area. It is home to the world’s advancing glacier as well as the largest giant tortoise.

Millions of tourists visit the park annually to hike up the glaciers as well as take boat rides. The hikes range from moderate to challenging levels.

The hikes usually end with a glamourous view of Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

This park is full of natural beauty ranging from towering mountains, beautiful glacial lakes, and rugged icy terrain.

There is so much more about this park that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Here are the top facts about Los Glaciares National Park.

1. This is the largest glacier in South America

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There are more than 300 National Parks in the entire continent of South America. Los Glaciares National Park in Argentina takes the bag in terms of size.

It is 336 square miles in area, 37-miles long and the tallest glacier is 230 feet high. There are over 300 glaciers in the park. Most of the Park is covered in ice.

The Perito Moreno glacier is one of a kind. It has not retreated neither has it shifted. To explore this glacier, one has to get on a boat.

The varied landscape of this park can be explored by foot too, all you need are your hiking boots or laced crampons.

2. Perito Moreno is the most accessible glacier in the Park

Just from its name, one will know that this park got its name from the glaciers. They are more than 300 glaciers at Los Glaciares National Park.

One of the most popular glaciers is Perito Moreno. This is also the most accessible through hiking. Perito Moreno Glacier is 20 miles long and is the only advancing glacier in the world.

It is close to Lake Argentino that can be accessed through El Calafate. The Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers can also be visited by boat from El Calafate.

Another impressive glacier at the park is Viedma Glacier which drains its waters to Lake Viedma. Smaller glaciers include Torre and Piedras Blancas.

3. The glaciers at the park face constant danger

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Although the glaciers in this park are protected, many factors threaten their longevity.

Tourism, overgrazing, and forest fires are some of the dangers threatening the existence of this Park. Overgrazing occurs because cattle, hares and trout invade the park.

Forest fires have strongly impacted the growth of forested areas. Being one of the most visited parks in Argentina, tourism has brought with it both positive and negative effects.

4. Water from the glacier drains to Lake Argentino

By I, Luca Galuzzi – Wikimedia

The Lakes at the park get their icy blue water from the glaciers. These glaciers are also responsible for the eccentric colour of Lake Argentino.

Most of the Lakes at Los Glaciares National Park are characterized by a distinguishing milky green colour. The process of glaciation is also a great contributor to the colour of the water.

AS the glacial water drains into the lakes, they produce white powder as they erode the rocks. The powder is known as rock flour and it is also responsible for the colour of the water.

The meeting point of Lake Argentino and Perito Moreno glacier creates a magical landscape. This is one of the most visited sites in the Park.

5. The Los Glaciares National Park is at the border

Los Glaciares National Park is surrounded by an enchanting and remote mountain landscape. It forms part of the Patagonian Andes that is shared by Argentina and Chile.

The Park is characterized by rugged granite glacial peaks of about 3,000 metre, which are massive and continue to experience glaciation.

About half of the park is covered by several glaciers that form part of South America’s largest ice field.

6. The highest mountain is Mount Fitz Roy

By Jorge Láscar – Wikimedia

The highest mountain in Los Glaciares National Park is Mount Fitz Roy. It is 3,359 meters followed by Mount Cerro Torre which is 3,128 meters.

The outline of Mount Fitz Roy is used by the Patagonia clothing label. This mountain was named by Francisco Moreno after Robert Fitz Roy.  Robert had headed the ship HMS Beagle that travelled up the Santa Cruz River in Patagonia.

Part of Los Glaciares National Park forms the South Patagonian Ice Sheet. This stretches for over 400km north-south, around 40km east-west and is over a kilometre deep in places.

It is also part of the border between Argentina and Chile. To explore this ice range, it would take hikers about 8 to 10 days.