Hike to Puma Glacier in Torres Del Paine

Guardería Laguna Amarga, Chile

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Details

Distance

4 miles

Elevation Gain

0 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Leah Slaten

See a secret glacier hidden deep within Torres del Paine national park.

This hike is accessible only from the Los Perros campsite within Torres del Paine national park, a part of the O circuit. It can be accessed only with a park ranger or licensed guide.

The easiest (and cheapest) way to complete this hike is by spending a night at the nearby campground. Coming from Refugio Dickson, it takes about 4 hours to reach Los Perros. Arrive early in the day and register at the ranger station. Here, you can ask the rangers to show you the glacier. They will take you once they finish their work for the day.

The glacier can be reached by a poorly maintained trail leaving Los Perros campground. You will cross two rivers (with the help of logs and rope) and follow a path through the forest for about 10 minutes before coming out into a glacial morain. From here, it is impossible to miss the glacier — just follow the basin of the morain until arriving at the foot of the glacier.

The hike itself is flat and easy, but in order to get to the hike you will need to be doing the 6-8 day O circuit in the park.

Be sure to bring your water bottle to enjoy a sip of glacier water that few others get to enjoy!

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