Ice Hike Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine: 5-Hour Glacier Trek

Puerto Natales•challenging

Difficulty

challenging

Duration

5 hours

Fitness Level

Good cardiovascular fitness and leg strength required; comfortable with uneven, icy terrain and steep scrambles

Overview

Walk across the living ice of Grey Glacier on a guided 5-hour trek from Grey Base Camp. This zodiac approach and crampon-assisted route delivers close-up crevasses, blue ice caverns, and a practical, expertly guided introduction to glacier travel in Torres del Paine.

Ice Hike Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine: 5-Hour Glacier Trek

Select participants and date

Date

Thu, Oct 30

Travelers

You step from the zodiac onto a braided shore of black stones and the wind immediately makes itself known — a clean, cold draft that scrubs the air and pushes the first flakes of spray into your face. Ahead, Grey Glacier hangs like a living wall, ridged and indigo, calves of ice calving silently into the lake. The guide fits your crampons and the world narrows to the sound of metal on ice, the rhythm of your steps, and the vast, moving surface beneath your feet.

Adventure Photos

Ice Hike Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine: 5-Hour Glacier Trek photo 1

Adventure Tips

Book the night before

To make an early departure you must stay at Refugio or Camping Grey the night prior — otherwise only later departures are possible.

Layer for wind and sun

Bring an insulated midlayer and a waterproof outer shell; the sun on ice is intense even when temperatures are near freezing.

Footwear matters

Sturdy waterproof boots (stiff-soled mountaineering or trekking boots) are required for crampons to fit securely and to protect feet on moraine.

Hydrate and snack

Carry a water bottle and an energy snack; guides provide a hot drink and snack at the end but you’ll want fuel on the approach and while on the ice.

Local Insights

Wildlife

Guanaco
Andean condor

History

Torres del Paine’s landscapes were shaped by repeated glaciations; European explorers cataloged the park in the early 20th century while indigenous Tehuelche and Kawésqar peoples have long histories in the region.

Conservation

The park is a protected area with strict leave-no-trace rules; stick to marked trails, avoid disturbing wildlife, and pack out all waste to minimize impact.