It contains a glacier that's 3 times taller than the White House – and is home to prowling pumas and giant birds

The Los Glaciares National Park is a dramatic wilderness of towering mountains, glacial lakes, vast granite peaks and Magellanic subpolar forests.

It takes its name from the numerous ancient glaciers that cover its landscape, many of which are fed by the South Patagonian Ice Field, the world’s second largest contiguous ice field outside of a polar region. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1981.

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Where is Los Glaciares National Park?

Los Glaciares National Park is a vast protected area in Argentina, in the south-west part of the Santa Cruz Province. It is part of the Patagonian Andes shared by Argentina and Chile, with the ancient peaks dominating its landscape. It borders Chile to the west.

It is made up of a national park and a national reserve, with a total area of 7,268km2 (2,806m2) – that's almost three times the size of Luxembourg.

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Lakes of Los Glaciares National Park

Los Glaciares National Park is home to the enormous Lake Argentino, a body of water clocking in at 1466km2 (566m2). It is the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, fed by meltwater from the Perito Moreno, Upsala, Spegazzini and Onelli glaciers. The park’s other lake, Lake Viedma, sits in its northernmost reaches.

It attracts some of Patagonia’s most incredible birdlife, with black-necked swans and flamingos spending time on its shores.

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Glaciers of Los Glaciares National Park

Around half of the park’s area is covered by glaciers. The most famous of all Los Glaciares’ glaciers is the Perito Moreno Glacier, closely followed by the Upsala Glacier.

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The Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the park’s chief highlights, flowing into Lake Argentino and measuring 60m in height (three times taller than the White House). It often calves blue icebergs into the waters of the lake, creating a stunning spectacle. You can see the glacier from the wooden boardwalks and viewpoints – or you could take a boat trip to see it up close.

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Mountains of the Los Glaciares National Park

Spiky, serrated mountains jut out of the ice – most notably the Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.

Mount Fitz Roy (known as Cerro Fitz Roy) is a jagged granite mountain, rising 3,405m into the sky. Its silhouette is so recognisable it’s been used as the logo of the outdoor brand Patagonia. Experienced mountaineers climb the summit, but there are also hiking trails for those with less technical ability.

Cerro Torre, meanwhile, is a dramatic spiked peak, reaching 3,128m of elevation. It’s a more challenging climb for mountaineers, with vertical walls.

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Wildlife of Los Glaciares National Park

The rugged landscapes of Los Glaciares National Park are home to guanacos, pumas, South American gray foxes and rheas – large, flightless birds that can grow over 1m tall.

There are over 100 species of bird in the area, including condors, black-chested buzzard eagles, torrent ducks and Magellan oystercatchers.

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Can you visit Los Glaciares National Park?

Considering its rugged, otherworldly landscapes, Los Glaciares National Park is surprisingly accessible. The northern reaches can be accessed from the town of El Chaltén, a popular trekking destination, and the southern entrance is found in El Calafate, which is where you can access the glaciers most easily.

For more experienced hikers, there are plenty of multi-day trekking routes – where guides are recommended – and shorter half-day independent hiking routes. Shorter still is the Perito Moreno Glacier walkways, a 4.7km network of wooden boardwalks, stairs and trails facing the captivating Perito Moreno Glacier.

The best time to visit Los Glaciares National Park is between October and April (spring to autumn). The entry fee is affordable and tickets are valid for one day.

Top image: Perito Moreno Glacier (credit: chabrov/Getty Images)

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