Ventisquero Colgante Glacier: Visiting Queulat National Park, Chile

Planning to visit Chile’s Patagonia region? Find out more about Ventisquero Colgante Glacier in Queulat National Park, one of Chile’s ultimate hidden gems.

As one of the most famous natural marvels in Chile and Patagonia, Ventisquero Colgante and Queulat National Park are somewhere you don’t want to miss during your Patagonia itinerary.

Ventisquero Colgante translates to ‘Ventisquero Hanging Glacier’ (also known as ‘ Hanging Glacier Chile’) and it’s a massive wad of ice that hangs off a mountain shelf that feeds the glacial lake below by a dramatic waterfall that cascades down the mountain. It’s one of the most unique natural sights in all of Patagonia if not the world.

Driving through the park and visiting this marvellous area is a must for all adventure and active travellers. In this short guide find out how to visit Ventisquero Colgante and Queulat National Park as well as my top tips for visiting.

*This  ‘Ventisquero Colgante Queulat ‘ post contains affiliate links meaning I get a small commission on a sale at no extra cost to you. This goes towards the running of the blog and allows me to keep creating quality content like this for free.

The Best Time to Visit Ventisquero Colgante

The Aysen Region of Northern Patagonia has a harsh, cold climate. Winters are snowy and frigid and summers are cool.

The area also receives a lot of rainfall all year round so make sure to come prepared with good boots, layers and waterproofs.

Chilean summer (December- February) is the best time to visit but it’s also the most crowded, especially February. November and March are also great months to visit with fewer crowds but cooler weather.

How to Get to Queulat National Park

Ventisquero Colgante or Ventisquero Hanging Glacier is located in the western part of Queulat National Park along the infamous Austral Highway in Chile. It lies 211km north of Coyhaique, the capital of the Aysen Region.

Most people visit the national park as part of the Austral Highway road trip and it makes a stunning and convenient stop. There are a few different ways to visit, however.

Private vehicle

The most popular and hands down the best way to visit the national park is with your own wheels. If you’re flying into the region, you can rent a car from Balmaceda Airport or Coyhaique.

Rentals are easy but make sure to reserve a vehicle well in advance as they tend to book up quickly. We used Discover Cars and were more than happy with their service and vehicle. 

If you’re travelling the entire Austral Highway then you’ll arrive in Queulat National Park eventually. Try to arrive in the morning so you have most of the day to explore and hike up to the viewpoint. 

Public Transport

Public transportation in the area is limited but it can be done. Any bus going up or down the Austral Highway, from Coyhaique to Chaiten for example, will be able to drop you off at the Ventisquero entrance to Queulat National Park. Just make sure to warn the driver where you’d like to get off.

Tour

Tours can be arranged from Coyhaique or the neighbouring village of Puyuhuapi. Even though Puyuhuapi has fewer tour options, it’s much closer so you won’t spend most of the day in transit.

Your accommodation will easily be able to sort out a tour for you. The day tour is rather long and normally includes breakfast and lunch. Some also include the boat tour of the lake into which the glacier feeds in Queulat National Park.

Find the best tours to Queulat National Park from Coyhaique and beyond here.

How to See Ventisquero Colgante Glacier

Ventisquero Colgante is a sight that really has to be seen to be believed- a glacier perched precariously on a mountain shelf with two waterfalls of meltwater flowing down ferociously into the glacial lake below. It’s one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in Chile and one of the highlights of Northern Patagonia.

The glacier is best seen from a viewpoint that you trek up to from the Ventisquero entrance of Queulat National Park.

This entrance is right by the Carretera Austral. This sector of the park has three viewpoints, two right by the car park and the best one, a short trek away.

The trail (1 in blue on the map) starts at the car park and you’ll immediately cross the Ventisqueros River on a wooden suspension bridge.

The bridge itself is a great photo spot and from here you can really experience the power of the crashing waters below and the beauty and purity of the area.

After crossing the bridge turn left and begin the trek. The trek takes about 3-3.5 hours round trip and it’s a fairly easy to medium walk.

On the way, you’ll encounter spectacular viewpoints, native forests and even the Copihue flower, the national symbol of Chile growing naturally.

There are no particularly steep parts in the Ventisquero Colgante hike, but you might have to take extra care avoiding mud and bog-saturated trails.

It was extremely muddy when we visited and we spent much longer doing the trail than expected due to having to navigate the mud.

Towards the top, you’ll also find a stream that flows down the trail for about 20m so take care navigating this or, like me, you’ll end up doing the rest of the trek with a soaked boot! 

The trail finishes at the Ventisquero Colgante viewpoint, an uninterrupted view of the beautiful hanging glacier and its waterfall of meltwater. This is the viewpoint from which most photos on social media are taken.

Upon descending down to the suspension bridge you can then take the trail to the right which leads to the lake that the glacier feeds. At the lake, you’ll be able to see the glacier again at a distance and have the opportunity to do a boat trip for a different view. 

Boat trips cost $10,000 per person and take you out across the lake from where you are able to see the glacier from below. The view is spectacular- you’re surrounded by mountains on all sides, water flowing down them into the lake and in front of you the otherworldly Ventisquero Colgante.

There are very few places left in the world to be able to connect with pure nature quite like this.

If you do have some time left then you may also want to check out the last viewpoint left- directly north of the car park from which you can see a very small glacier indeed. Don’t worry if you miss this, however, you’ve already seen the best viewpoints.

Top Tips for Visiting Queulat National Park

↠ Entrance to Queulat National Park is $11 USD for foreign visitors or $4,500 CLP for Chileans and it’s open from 9 am-5.30 pm.

↠ It’s best to reserve your entrance to the park online before visiting. Before you buy your tickets make sure to check the CONAF website here for all up-to-date information on park closures.

↠ The most popular entrance is the Ventisquero entrance as this has a direct trail to the hanging glacier viewpoint however there are other entrances such as Angostura that are less crowded with a variety of other treks that can be done in a day.

↠ Arrive as early as you can to get the most out of your day.

↠ The weather in this area can change in a flash so come well prepared. Make sure you have waterproofs, a warm fleece layer and good hiking boots as well as snacks and plenty of water. You can refill your water bottle from the rivers in the park- it’s the purest glacial water around! 

El Ventisquero Colgante Queulat National Park Packing List

To visit Patagonia and Queulat National Park you’ll need good outdoor gear to prepare you for the rough National Park trails and ever-changing weather which includes the famous frigid Patagonian winds.

Here’s a list of some essential items you’ll need to pack on your trip.

Footwear– You need a good pair of sturdy hiking boots or shoes with grip soles to cope well with a different variety of trails.

Tennis shoes just aren’t going to cut it in Patagonia. I’ve had these Danner boots for years and I love them.

Hiking Socks – Some good quality hiking socks are essential too. These from Backcountry have been my go-to for a long time.

Base Layers – When hiking even in the summer months in Patagonia, good baselayers are a must for keeping you warm and cool at the same time. Go for good quality merino wool baselayers like these for total hiking comfort. 

Rain Jacket – Another item essential item for Patagonia. Try to go for a jacket with Gore-tex technology as this makes it far more breathable in warmer temperatures. This jacket will protect you in the rain and keep you warm in windy conditions too.

Daypack – A daypack is a must to bring all your water, food and personal items on the trails. I personally love Osprey and all their backpacks, this is my go-to day pack.

Fleece – An essential for this trail, an extra layer or fleece is something you really shouldn’t leave home without.

I personally like to have two kinds, a lightweight summer fleece and a thicker winter one– with those two I’m set for hiking throughout the year.

Reusable Water Bottle – I recommend a water bottle that is large and one that filters and disinfects water on the go, meaning you can fill up from Patagonian rivers, streams and lakes as you hike.

Different brands have different filters and cleaning systems. I personally use this LARQ bottle which cleans water safely and efficiently through UV rays. It’s one of the best bottles I’ve ever bought. 

Another option to carry water on hikes is a water reservoir. This allows you to carry much more water than a bottle can fit. Find them here.

First Aid Kit – A simple first aid kit might not be something you’ll use on this hike, but never hurts to have one.

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Do you have any comments or questions about visiting Ventisquero Colgante Chile or Queulat National Park? I’d love to help you plan your trip- leave your comments below.

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Planning a trip right now? These are just some of my favourite websites I use to book everything from hotels to rental cars!

Rentalcars.com and Auto Europe for quick and easy car rentals worldwide

Booking.com for great deals on hotels

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