Picture-perfect views of the beautiful natural scenery of Torres del Paine National Park await at Mirador Glacier Grey (Glacier Grey Lookout). Have your camera ready to snap shots of mountain peaks that soar above glacial lakes and green valleys. Sit a while at Mirador Glacier Grey and contemplate an unblemished environment that is a UNESCO-protected Biosphere Reserve.
The walk to the lookout begins close to the southern shores of Lake Grey and passes wild meadows and through areas of temperate forests. A wooden suspension bridge crosses a river and then descends through a forest to a lakeside sandy beach. Here you’ll get your first views of the jagged snow-capped mountains characteristic of Torres del Paine National Park.
Continue walking to a small hill covered in vegetation. The lookout sits on the north side of the hill and is accessible via a short track. Gaze across the rippling lake waters to the icy slopes of Glacier Grey. Towering above the east side of the lake are the peaks of the Cordillera Paine mountain range, which reach up to 9,462 feet (2,884 meters).
A highlight of walking to the lookout is the chance to see blue-colored blocks of ice float silently along the lake. The blocks break free from the glacier at irregular intervals when movement makes the front end unstable. In 2017 the glacier calved an iceberg measuring 1,148-feet (350-meters) long and 1,247-feet (380-meters) wide. This was one of the largest icebergs produced by the glacier for around 25 years.
The trailhead to the lookout is reachable by car and parking is available. Close to here is an upmarket hotel that operates boat tours of the lake and to Glacier Grey. Boats depart year round, although may stop due to extreme weather conditions.
The best time to visit Mirador Glacier Grey is during the summer months, when temperatures are warmer and the sun shines until late in the evening. Strong winds and rain are always possible so make sure to pack waterproofs and extra layers.
