The Spegazzini Glacier walkways are a 350-meter route along the shores of Lake Argentino, within the Spegazzini Base, leading to the De Agostini viewpoint, facing the tallest glacier in Los Glaciares National Park. From March 2025, they will extend to a new viewpoint, closer to the glacier and at a higher altitude.
We inaugurated them in December 2024, and they are visited during the disembarkation of the All Glaciers Navigation . We designed them so that any passenger, regardless of their walking ability, can stand in front of the Spegazzini Glacier.
Where are the Spegazzini Glacier walkways?
They are at Spegazzini Base, in the northern sector of Lake Argentino, in Glacier Bay. The Base is only accessible by water: the boat departs from Punta Bandera Port, 47 km from El Calafate, crosses the Devil's Mouth, sails among the icebergs of the Upsala Glacier, passes in front of the Seco and Heim Glaciers, and disembarks at the Base's floating dock.
From there, the visitor has two axes: the forest trail, which goes up towards the Spegazzini Refuge with its interpretive stations, and the walkways that border the shore towards the glacier.
Spegazzini Glacier walkways: the step-by-step tour
- The shore: The walkway runs alongside the lake, with turquoise water on one side and the forest on the other.
- De Agostini Viewpoint (350 m): the first large balcony, with a frontal view of the Spegazzini, whose walls reach up to 135 m above the lake.
- Extension and new viewpoint: Added in March 2025, it is closer to the glacier and higher than the De Agostini, and allows you to see the front from above.
The first viewpoint is named in honor of the priest and explorer Alberto De Agostini, who explored and photographed these ice fields. We tell his story in "Who was Alberto De Agostini ?"
What can you see from each viewpoint
| Stitch | What are you going to see? | Who is it ideal for? |
|---|---|---|
| Edge of the footbridge | Stranded icebergs, the lake and Glacier Bay | Photos at water level |
| De Agostini Lookout | Full front of the Spegazzini | The classic photo of the highest glacier |
| New viewpoint | The glacier up close and from above | Who wants to measure the height of the ice? |
| Trail viewpoints | Spegazzini, Heim and Peineta together | Panoramic views of the bay |
Are the walkways accessible?
Yes. The entire Glaciers tour is 100% accessible: there's an elevator at the Punta Bandera pier, level ramps, a floating dock at Spegazzini Base, accessible restrooms on the boats and at the Refuge, and accessible trails and viewpoints. The walkways were designed with this in mind. If you're traveling with someone with reduced mobility, check out our accessible experience as well.
Advice from someone who walks them every day
- Bundle up even if it's a nice day: In front of the glacier, the cold air descends from the ice and is felt more intensely at the shore.
- Listen: From the viewpoints it is common to hear the creaking of the glacier; you don't always see the calving, but the sound gets through.
- Organize your time on land: The walkways and the Refuge are at the same base; it's best to decide with your group what to do first. We'll give you some ideas in What to do at Spegazzini Base.
- Respect the limits: The walkways are there so that no one has to leave the path. The riverbank soil and vegetation are fragile.
- Take care of your cell phone: When it's windy, use a strap or hold it with both hands when taking photos over water.
A work designed for the landscape
Building in a National Park, in a place accessible only by water, requires careful consideration of every section: where to place supports, how not to obstruct the flow of water, and how to integrate with the shoreline without competing with the glacier. The walkways are part of the same concept that guided the Spegazzini Refuge: to bring people closer to the ice with the least possible impact.
Walk to the Spegazzini
The walkways and viewpoints are included in the All Glaciers Navigation excursion , a 7-hour day trip. It departs daily from September to April and every other day from May to August. Check the departure schedule, availability, and current rates on the tour page.
FAQ
How long are the walkways on the Spegazzini Glacier?
The main section runs for 350 meters along the shores of Lake Argentino to the De Agostini viewpoint. Since March 2025, there has been an extension to a new viewpoint, closer to the glacier and at a higher elevation.
How do you get to the catwalks?
Only by water, with the All Glaciers Navigation, which disembarks at the Spegazzini Base after visiting the Upsala icebergs and the Seco and Heim glaciers.
Are the walkways wheelchair accessible?
Yes. All of Glaciares is 100% accessible, with a floating dock at the Spegazzini Base and accessible trails and viewpoints.
Which glacier can be seen from the De Agostini viewpoint?
The Spegazzini Glacier, the highest in Los Glaciares National Park, with walls up to 135 meters above the lake.
When were the catwalks inaugurated?
The walkways and the De Agostini Lookout were inaugurated in December 2024, and the new lookout was added in March 2025.
