Heim Glacier and Peineta Glacier are located in Glacier Bay, in the northern part of Lake Argentino, next to Spegazzini Glacier. Heim Glacier can be seen from the boat on the All Glaciers Navigation tour, and all three glaciers—Spegazzini, Heim, and Peineta—can be seen together from the viewpoints at Spegazzini Base. We have been sailing them since 1980, and they are the neighbors that most surprise those who come expecting only Spegazzini.
Almost all travelers arrive with two names in mind: Upsala and Spegazzini. This article is for the other two, which complete the bay's landscape.
Where are the Heim and the Peineta?
Glacier Bay is a corner of Lake Argentino surrounded by mountains, forest, and ice, within Los Glaciares National Park. It is only accessible by water. There you will find Spegazzini Base, the landing point for the All Glaciers Navigation tour, with trails, walkways, viewpoints, and the Spegazzini Refuge.
Several tongues of ice descend from the heights around the bay. The most famous is the Spegazzini, the tallest glacier in the Park, with walls up to 135 m above the lake. Beside it, the Heim and Peineta glaciers form the rest of the amphitheater.
The Heim Glacier from the boat
On the All Glaciers itinerary, the Heim Glacier appears after the Upsala and the Dry Glacier, and before the Spegazzini. This is the moment when the ship has already left behind the most open stretch of icebergs and is approaching Glacier Bay, with the mountains getting ever closer.
From the deck, the Heim offers a calm observation of how a mountain glacier works. Some things to look out for:
- The language. The way the ice narrows and adapts to the valley it descends.
- The cracks. They appear where the ice stretches when passing over a change in slope or a bend in the valley.
- The dark stripes. They are moraines: rock and sediment that the glacier tears from the slopes and transports across its surface.
- The blue. In cuts and cracks, the denser ice absorbs red light and reflects blue. We explain this in our article on Why is glacial ice blue?.
The Peineta Glacier, the one that is revealed on land
Peineta is the glacier that many passengers only discover upon disembarking. From the viewpoints located along the Spegazzini Base trail, you can see three glaciers at once: Spegazzini, Heim, and Peineta, as well as the mountains surrounding the bay.
Seeing them together is more than just a photo opportunity. It allows you to compare how each glacier adapts to its own valley, with its varying slope, width, and number of crevasses. It's an open-air glaciology lesson, and the interpretive stations along the trail help you understand it.
Heim, Peineta and Spegazzini Glaciers: how to see them
| Glacier | From the ship | From Spegazzini Base |
|---|---|---|
| Spegazzini | Yes, in the approach to the front | Yes, from the viewpoints, the walkways and the Refuge |
| Home | Yes, in the section before the Spegazzini | Yes, from the viewpoints and the terrace of the Captain's Club |
| Comb | It is best appreciated from the ground. | Yes, from the viewpoints along the trail |
A special treat for those sailing in the Captain's Club: the exclusive 80 m² lounge at the Spegazzini Refuge has its own terrace overlooking the Spegazzini and the Heim. It's one of the best places to admire the Heim at your leisure.
Tips for enjoying them
- I went out on deck before reaching the bay. The change of scenery, from the open canal to the ice amphitheater, is best experienced outside.
- Use the viewpoints without rushing. The Spegazzini Base trail has several viewpoints; each one shows the three glaciers from a different angle.
- Look with zoom. With binoculars or your cell phone's zoom, you'll notice cracks, moraines, and blocks that are lost at first glance.
- Pay attention to the sky. On cloudy days the blues of the ice appear more intense; in the sun, the contrasts are harsher.
The Base's walkways, along the 350-meter shoreline of the lake, lead to the De Agostini Lookout, opposite the Spegazzini. If you'd like to learn the story behind that name, we explain it in the article about the De Agostini Lookout and Alberto De Agostini.
Discover the entire Glacier Bay
The Heim and Peineta glaciers are the reason why landing at Spegazzini Base is worth every minute: you don't just see a glacier, you see an entire bay of ice. The All Glaciers Navigation tour allows you to see five glaciers—Upsala, Seco, Heim, Peineta, and Spegazzini—in a 7-hour sailing trip, with daily departures from September to April and every other day from May to August. Check availability and current rates on the tour page.
FAQ
Where is the Heim Glacier?
The Heim Glacier is located in Glacier Bay, in the northern sector of Lake Argentino, within Los Glaciares National Park, next to the Spegazzini Glacier.
Can you see the Heim Glacier on the All Glaciers Navigation?
Yes. Heim is part of the All Glaciers itinerary and can be seen from the boat before arriving at Spegazzini, and also from the viewpoints at Spegazzini Base.
From where can you see the Peineta Glacier?
Peineta can be seen from the viewpoints along the Spegazzini Base trail, from where the Spegazzini, Heim and Peineta glaciers can be seen together.
How many glaciers can be seen from Spegazzini Base?
From the viewpoints at Spegazzini Base, you can see three glaciers: Spegazzini, Heim and Peineta, as well as the mountains surrounding Glacier Bay.
