The Spegazzini Glacier is the tallest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park: its ice walls reach up to 135 meters above the water. It is located in the Spegazzini Arm, also called the Spegazzini Channel, an arm of Lake Argentino, and can only be seen by boat, for example on the All Glaciers excursion, which also includes a stop at Spegazzini Base.
We've been sailing past this glacier for decades, and it, along with the Upsala Glacier, is one of the two main attractions of our All Glaciers voyage. What follows is what we report on board, backed by the facts we can verify.
Technical data sheet of the Spegazzini Glacier
| Date | Spegazzini Glacier |
|---|---|
| Location | Spegazzini Arm (or Channel), Lake Argentino, Los Glaciares National Park, Santa Cruz |
| Distinctive feature | The tallest in the park |
| Height of its walls | Up to 135 m above water |
| Origin of ice | Southern Patagonian Ice Field |
| Where does it end? | In the water of the Spegazzini Arm, with ice calving |
| Neighboring glaciers | Heim and Peineta, on the same arm |
| How to visit | Sailing only: All Glaciers, with landing at Spegazzini Base |
| Name | Tribute to the botanist Carlos Spegazzini |
Incidentally: we haven't included surface area or length because the figures available vary depending on the source and the year of measurement. We prefer to focus on the defining characteristic: the height of its facade.
Why the Spegazzini is the tallest glacier in the park
In Los Glaciares National Park, it is important to distinguish between three different records, because they are often confused:
- The most extensive: The Viedma Glacier, which is also the largest in Argentina.
- One of the largest in South America: the Upsala Glacier, with 765 km².
- The highest: The Spegazzini Glacier, with walls up to 135 meters high.
“High” refers to the height of the glacier's face, the part visible from the boat where it meets the lake. To give you an idea of scale: 135 meters is roughly equivalent to a building of more than 40 stories. From the deck, with the catamaran at a safe distance, the face appears immense, and when a block calves, the sound can arrive a few seconds after the sight.
This height also explains why the calving events at Spegazzini are so striking: the ice falls from much higher up than at other glacier fronts. That's why ships maintain a safe distance from the front, something we explain in " Why the ship doesn't get any closer to the glacier ."
Location: The Spegazzini Arm of Lake Argentino
Lake Argentino has several arms that extend westward through the mountains, toward the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. One of these is the Spegazzini Arm, a narrow channel surrounded by forested slopes and snow-capped peaks. At the end of this channel lies the glacier.
What makes this arm of the glacier special is that it doesn't have just one glacier, but three visible in a small area: the Spegazzini and its neighbors, the Heim and Peineta. Each has a distinct shape and is worth observing closely; we've dedicated a separate article to them: Heim Glacier and Peineta Glacier: the neighbors of the Spegazzini.
How to visit the Spegazzini Glacier
There are no roads or public trails leading to Spegazzini Glacier: the only way to see it is from the water. Our All Glaciers boat tour includes it as part of a 7-hour journey departing from Puerto Punta Bandera, 47 km from El Calafate. On the same day, you'll also see Upsala, Seco, Heim, and Peineta Glaciers, cross the Boca del Diablo (Devil's Mouth), and sail among the icebergs of the Brazo Norte (North Arm).
The key difference of this route is the landing at Spegazzini Base , where the Spegazzini Refuge, inaugurated in 2019, is located. From there, 350-meter walkways lead to the De Agostini Viewpoint, offering a view of the glacier from solid ground. The entire circuit, including the boat and the refuge, is fully accessible: it has an elevator, ramps, and adapted restrooms.
Remember that to enter the park area you need the National Park entrance ticket, which is not included in the tour and must be purchased separately at pnlosglaciares.ar.
Tips for better viewing of the Spegazzini
- When the ship enters the Spegazzini Arm, I went out on deck with enough time to choose a good spot before arriving in front of the glacier.
- Bring warm clothes and a windbreaker even if the day is nice: the temperature drops when you're on ice.
- Look at the base of the wall, not just the top part: there you can see the blue ice and the scale is more noticeable.
- Pay attention to the sound. Often you'll hear a cracking sound before you see something break off.
- Save your battery for the landing: the view from the De Agostini Lookout is different from that of the ship.
If you're interested in knowing who the scientist was who named the glacier, we tell his story in Carlos Spegazzini: the botanist behind the highest glacier.
FAQ
How tall is the Spegazzini Glacier?
Its walls reach up to 135 meters above the water, making it the tallest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park.
Is it possible to reach the Spegazzini Glacier by land?
No. It can only be seen by sailing on the Spegazzini Arm of Lake Argentino, for example on the All Glaciers excursion.
Is the Spegazzini bigger than the Upsala or the Viedma?
No. Spegazzini is the highest, but the largest in the park is Viedma, and Upsala, at 765 km², is one of the largest in South America.
Is it possible to get off the boat in front of the Spegazzini?
Yes. The entire Glaciers tour ends at Base Spegazzini, where the Spegazzini Refuge and the 350-meter walkways to the De Agostini Viewpoint are located.
