The hanging glacier at Parque Nacional Queulat
Highlight
Moderate 6.6 kilometer (4 miles) out and back hike to a viewpoint of a hanging blue-ish white glacier with cascading waterfall. The hike is located in Parque Nacional Queulat.
Time of Visit: February 2024
Duration of Visit: Day trip from Puyuhuapi
Description
The Ventisquero Colgante or hanging glacier hike in Parque Nacional Queulat, Chile, is a 3.3 kilometer one way hike through lush temperate rainforest that ends at a viewing area of a colossal hanging glacier with waterfall. The hike is moderately challenging on well-maintained trails that wind through dense forest. The viewing area is small and gets packed with visitors throughout the day. It is best to get to the viewing area early.
The combination of pristine natural beauty and the awe-inspiring sight of the glacier makes this hike a must-do for nature enthusiasts visiting the Aysén Region. The best time to embark on this hike is during the summer months, from December to March, when the weather is milder, and the trail conditions are optimal (not muddy). Overall, the Hanging Glacier Hike offers an unforgettable adventure, showcasing the dramatic landscapes and unique ecosystems of Chilean Patagonia.
Parque Nacional Queulat
The hanging glacier is located in Parque Nacional Queulat. The park is open between 9 AM and 4:30 PM, Tuesday to Sunday (closed Mondays). There is an admission fee to enter the park. We were told by our host that we needed to purchase the entry fee on-line prior to going to the park. By purchasing the entry fee on-line, we secured a reservation to enter the park.
The entry fee can be purchased from the Corporación Nacional Forestal or CONAF. The CONAF website was a little challenging to use at first. We had issues with the gender box choices not being available when we were on the English version. The gender choices only showed up after we switched to the Spanish version. We also had issues with the contact information box where we entered the phone number. We finally figured out that we did not need to enter “+” in the contact phone number to indicate it is a number outside of Chile.
We did notice a structure (small building) at the park entry gate where people appear to be paying the entry fee.
The Hike
The name of the hike to the hanging glacier is Ventisquero Colgante. It is a short 3.3 kilometers, one way, to the viewpoint. The trail goes through the forest so there is shade most of the way. The first kilometer is a constant uphill trek until reaching a wooden platform for resting. The next kilometer is a series of up and down but with an overall direction of going up. The final kilometer is a more gradual uphill than the first kilometer leading to the viewing area.
The trail is sometimes dirt, rocky and has exposed roots. There are also wooden stairs that have been installed for easier access.
We took an hour and half to get to the viewpoint from the trailhead. It took us about an hour going down.
There is a sign on the trail stating that it is open from 9 AM to 1:30 PM.
The Viewing Area
The viewing area is rather small. There were about 50 people when we arrived and it felt crowded. We had to wait for a while to get our turn to take photos.
A park ranger arrived at the viewing area around 3 PM. He said that he would close the viewing area around 3:15 PM.
Other Hikes
There are other hikes in the park but they were closed during our visit. It was only the Ventisquero Colgante and Laguna Tempanos trails that were open.
The Laguna Tempanos is a 600 meter hike that is relatively flat most of the way except for the short wooden stairs that need to be climbed before getting to the lake’s edge. The hanging glacier can be seen at the end of the trail with the jade green lake in the foreground.
Boat rides are also available at Laguna Tempanos.
Getting to Parque Nacional Queulat
The closest commercial airport is Balmaceda, about 270 kilometers to the south. The drive takes roughly four hours. The road is two lanes, undivided, winding with some sharp turns. There is also about a 20 kilometer section of unpaved road with several hairpin turns near the southern area of the national park. Overall, it is a relaxing drive to get to Parque Nacional Queulat from Balmaceda as it is not heavily traveled. Plus there are scenic sections where the Carretera Austral passes by snow covered mountain peaks, verdant valleys and mirror-like lakes.
If you are renting a car, there are no gas stations in Balmaceda. The nearest gas station is in the town of Coyhaique. You should fill up at Coyhaique before heading north to the park. You should also stock up on supplies here. Unimarc has a large grocery store in town.
Car rental in Balmaceda is expensive, especially if you wait until the last minute. Ours averaged about $80 per day and we booked at least two months in advance. Best to book your rental vehicle early and rebook later if the rental price drops.
If you are using public transportation to get to Parque Nacional Queulat, be aware that the Ventisquero Colgante trailhead is about 2.3 kilometers (1.4 miles) from Ruta 7 on the dirt and gravel park access road. The access road is level but narrow. The entry gate is located about 800 meters (½ mile from Ruta 7).
Where to Stay
Puyuhuapi is the nearest town to Parque Nacional Queulat, about 21 kilometers to the north. In between there is about a 10 kilometer gravel/dirt road.
Puyuhuapi is by the lakeshore and has a few restaurants and mini markets. There are plenty of cabanas and hostels in this little community.
Summary
The Ventisquero Colgante or Hanging Glacier Hike in Parque Nacional Queulat, Chile, is a must do if you find yourself in this region of Chile. The hike rewards visitors with a wonderful view of a melting glacier that is hanging precariously from the side of a mountain. To add to the beauty, the tall waterfall, fed by glacial melt, tumbles down to feed the jade green Laguna Tempanos below.Overall, the Ventisquero Colgante hike offers an unforgettable adventure, showcasing the dramatic landscapes and unique ecosystems of Chilean Patagonia.