Glacier Vinciguerra & Laguna de los Témpanos Guide: Ushuaia's Best Hike
- Kate Colliety
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
The hike to Glaciar Vinciguerra (Vinciguerra Glacier) and Laguna de los Témpanos (Iceberg Lagoon) is arguably the best hike in Ushuaia and one of the top things to do.
A worthwhile trek through the Andorra Valley and up through subantarctic lenga forest will bring you to Glacier Vinciguerra overlooking the picturesque Laguna de los Témpanos below. And why is this our favourite hike in Ushuaia? Well, it’s less trodden than Laguna Esmeralda and has as spectacular views.
Here you feel transported to the end of the world, trekking up unforgiving glacial moraine, through wet, boggy trails and being dwarfed by mountains in the background, there’s no feeling like it.
Glacier Vinciguerra is the only glacier in the area which has a glacial tongue, plus on a sunny day it will be reflected in the lake below.
Convinced to hike Glacier Vinciguerra? Below we share everything you need to know about the hike and how not to get lost like we did…
Contents
How To Get To Glacier Vinciguerra Hike: Directions & Access
How Much Is The Glacier Vinciguerra Hike?
Glacier Vinciguerra Hike Difficulty: How Long Does It Take?
What To Expect From The Glacier Vinciguerra Hike?
Tips For The Glacier Vinciguerra Hike
Glacier Vinciguerra Common Questions
📍 Location: Ushuaia Argentina
⏱️ Duration: 6-7 hours
📏 Distance: 14km round trip
📈 Elevation Gain: 350m
💪 Difficulty: Moderate/Hard
💰 Cost: Free
🗓️ Best Time: November-March
How To Get To Glacier Vinciguerra Hike: Directions & Access
Glacier Vinciguerra’s trail head is located in the northern part of Ushuaia town, making it one of the most accessible hikes in Tierra del Fuego just 7km from the city centre. If you have your own vehicle the drive there is easy enough although be warned parking is limited. With no actual car park you will need to find a spot on the small access road, arrive early to nab one.
If you don’t have a vehicle then local taxis will know the spot, just ask to be taken to the Glacier Vinciguerra trail head.
The entrance is past a blue gate (poorly signposted). Keep walking straight until you come to a fork in the path, this is consequently well marked but we somehow missed this turning! Here you need to turn right or you’ll be doing 3 hours extra like us! We missed it as we were trying to avoid the worst of the mud and looking down, if you hike without a guide (one isn’t necessary) then we recommend downloading AllTrails to keep you on track.
Once you’ve made the turning the rest of the trail is well signposted.
How Much Is The Glacier Vinciguerra Hike?
Free! The trail is completely free and very doable without a guide. However, if you’d like to go further and walk on the glacier you will need to join a tour as specialist equipment like crampons are needed.
Glacier Vinciguerra Hike Difficulty: How Long Does It Take?
The whole hike took us 8 hours (that’s with getting lost), I think it would take 6/7 without our detour. The trail is extra muddy which slows you down as you try to dodge the worst of it, plus we spent nearly an hour at the top enjoying the view.
AllTrails classifies this as a hard hike meaning you need a good level of fitness and a large supply of snacks!
What To Expect From The Glacier Vinciguerra Hike?
For us this hike beat any we did inside Tierra del Fuego National Park and without the entrance fee there’s no reason not to recommend it - that is if you’re not afraid of mud!
The trail starts off easy, a nice walk through the forest before you turn right (do not miss this) and head across the Andorra Valley. Lined with tall pallet structures presumably for drying peat you’ll pass over many little wooden bridges and planks that help keep your feet dry.
Follow the river round until you come to a larger yellow bridge, after here you’ll start the first climb. It’s steep but not too long and there’s plenty of tree roots to help with your footing.
Eventually, you’ll come to a signpost where you choose to head to Glacier Vinciguerra or to Laguna Encantada. We didn’t check out the lake, instead we headed left to the glacier.After the sign there is a long flat section of trail, the gradient gone but the mud out in full force. At this stage we gave up trying to keep our shoes somewhat clean and trudged on with a squelch.
Once you emerge from the forest you’ll see the last steep section of scree you need to climb to be rewarded. This takes less time than you think so don’t be intimidated, and trust us, it’s worth it! As we crested the moraine we saw the jewel of Laguna de los Témpanos and the glacier reflected. Raising our eyes from the rocky terrain we finally saw the full spectacle. The glacier sat surrounded by mountains and the turquoise lake glittered in the sun.
We had met a couple on the way down who described the scene of fog and snow at the top, our view was the opposite so it might be worth waiting a while at the top if you can see a hint of sunshine coming your way.
You can head around the lake to explore the tongue of the glacier, but if you want to actually walk on the ice you’ll need a guide.
After nearly an hour, and a quick snooze at the top we turned around and headed back down to the car. The first stop was straight to the laundry. We were that muddy!
About Glacier Vinciguerra
The only glacier in the Ushuaia region with a glacial tongue, Vinciguerra sits between 740-800 meters above sea level.
This ancient ice mass has been retreating rapidly due to climate change, losing half its surface area since 1970. The stunning Laguna de los Témpanos at its base didn't even exist before 1970; it formed as the glacier retreated. The contrast between the glacier's brilliant white ice and the turquoise lagoon is breathtaking.
On sunny days, the glacier reflects perfectly in the lake, a reward worth every muddy, steep step of the ascent.
Tips For The Glacier Vinciguerra Hike
The best time to hike up to Glacier Vinciguerra is from November to March when the snow has melted.
Take your sticks! This climb is steep and ends in loose moraine. The last section to the summit where you see the glacier is extremely steep and we were glad we had our hiking poles.
Be prepared for the mud! The path is boggy with many sections of deep mud.
Take lunch to enjoy at the top under the glacier.
Explore the top things to do in Ushuaia
Glacier Vinciguerra Common Questions
Do I need a guide for Glacier Vinciguerra?
No, you can hike independently. However, walking on the glacier requires a guide.
How hard is the Glacier Vinciguerra hike?
It’s a moderate to hard trail with some steep sections and deep mud.
Is there cell phone service?
No, there's no cell service on the trail. Download offline maps. We used this AllTrails path.
How long does the Glacier Vinciguerra hike take?
The Glacier Vinciguerra hike takes 6-7 hours round trip, depending on conditions.
Is Glacier Vinciguerra the best hike in Ushuaia?
Many hikers consider the Vinciguerra Glacier hike to be among the top hikes in Ushuaia due to its spectacular glacier views, turquoise lagoon, and the fact it's less crowded than other popular trails.
What other hikes in Tierra del Fuego are worth doing?
Popular Tierra del Fuego hiking trails include Laguna Esmeralda, Cerro Guanaco, and trails within Tierra del Fuego National Park.
Have you hiked Glacier Vinciguerra and Laguna de los Témpanos? Share your experience in the comments below to help other hikers like you!
Best Time To Visit Ushuaia
Summer (December-March) offers the best hiking weather with 17+ hour days and temperatures around 10-15°C. This is peak season, so expect crowds and higher prices.
Winter (June-September) is for snow sports enthusiasts.
Shoulder seasons (October-November, April-May) offer fewer crowds but unpredictable weather and some closed trails/tours.
How To Get To Ushuaia
Ushuaia sits at the southern tip of South America, making it remote but surprisingly accessible. Here are your options:
By Air
Ushuaia Malvinas Argentinas International Airport (USH) is well-connected despite its remote location.
From Buenos Aires direct flights are 3.5 hours
From El Calafate direct flights are 1.5 hours
The airport is just 4km from downtown. Taxis cost around $10 USD, or walk 15 minutes if you're travelling light.
By Bus (Budget Option)
From Punta Arenas, Chile:
12-hour journey through stunning landscapes
Several operators including Buses Pacheco and Tecni-Austral
Costs approximately $40-60 USD
Crosses the Strait of Magellan by ferry (included in ticket)
Runs several times weekly
From El Calafate, Argentina:
11-12 hour journey
Beautiful route through Patagonian steppe
Book with Marga Taqsa or Cootra
Around $50-70 USD
By Rental or Your Own Vehicle
Driving to Ushuaia is an adventure in itself, whether you're in a rental or your own vehicle like us.
The Route:
Ruta 3 runs the entire length of Argentina to Ushuaia
From Punta Arenas: 600km journey (10-12 hours)
Border Crossing: San Sebastián between Chile and Argentina was a really quick and easy border crossing, just remember when coming back into Chile you can't have any fresh produce.
Best Places To Stay In Ushuaia
Top Tips For Travelling Argentina
Travel by Campervan - This is the best way to explore Argentina's vast distances and stunning scenery! .
Pack for All Weather Conditions - From the subtropical north to Patagonian glaciers, Argentina spans multiple climate zones. Layers are essential, and don't underestimate how cold the southern winds can be, even in summer!
Don't Miss Ushuaia - Yes, it's far south, but that's exactly the point! The "End of the World" is worth every mile. The dramatic landscapes, wildlife, and the incredible feeling of standing at the bottom of the continent make it an unmissable experience.
Embrace the Adventure - The locals are passionate, proud people who love sharing their culture. Accept the mate, stay for the asado, and don't be shy about asking locals for recommendations
Travel Tools To Help You Plan
These are some of the travel tools we love and use daily, by booking through our links you support our blog and help us grow, thank you.
Thank you for reading and enjoy your Argentinian adventure. Reach out to us over on Instagram @KateandMikesTravels. We always love to hear from people who read our blogs!
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