9 destinations with beautiful glaciers
NASA’s Earth Observatory recently explained why turquoise lakes are often found near glaciers.
Viewing the majesty of a glacier has often been described as an out of this world experience. These titans of ice and slow-moving water make up a significant portion of our world, but rising temperatures around the globe have started causing them to lose mass at an increasingly rapid pace. Although the future of these beautiful glaciers is still uncertain, they do exist now, and you can still experience their power and magnificence in person.
The Antarctic
Combined with Greenland, the Antarctic contains roughly 98% of all land ice in the world. If you're looking for a place to visit with the hopes of experiencing a glacier firsthand, this is your best bet. Although Antarctica was not widely available for tourism until recently, it is now becoming a fairly popular destination for "responsible tourism." This aims to minimize the impact of people on the natural environment, educate tourists on ecological issues, and offer people the opportunity to experience the area's exclusive natural beauty truly. From kayaking expeditions along the Antarctic ice shelves to excursions that include visitation of the local Emperor Penguins, visits to Antarctica offer tourists a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience the raw beauty and power of the natural world.
Photo by Frank Busch
Eqi Glacier
Located in Greenland, the Eqi Glacier is one of the few glaciers worldwide that is continuing to grow rather than recede. Because of its growth and activity, the Eqi Glacier is popular for visitors who hope to see glacier carving, or the dropping of enormous ice blocks into the fjord, in action. This glacier is also an immensely popular spot for hiking. Because of its distance from civilization (hiking the glacier generally takes a full day), visitors are encouraged to be mindful of their accommodations and plan their lodge and hotel bookings well in advance.
Quelccaya Ice Cap
The Quelccaya Ice Cap in Peru is the largest glacier in the tropics, and it is quickly receding. Beautiful views of the ice cap are complemented by Peruvian llamas and alpacas grazing peacefully nearby as well as opportunities to view several other types of indigenous wildlife. The hike to the ice cap is known for being relatively difficult, but the views and experience are well worth the work.
Fox and Franz Josef
The Fox and Franz Josef glaciers in New Zealand sit very low, barely 300 feet above sea level. Due to their altitude, hikes along their length are both common and relatively simple. However, nearby cities also offer helicopter tours of the glacier and the surrounding area for those wanting a different view.
Pasterze
The Pasterze glacier sits at the foot of Austria's tallest mountain. Due to its location and the many nearby lodges, this glacier stays busy and is well-traveled. The Pasterze glacier is also very easy to hike or trek and does not require the same amount of preparation or access as some of the others on this list. You should still exercise caution, but this is an excellent site for those new to glacier hiking.
Biafo
The Karakoram Mountain Range in Pakistan is home to the Biafo Glacier. Although access is only allowed through a lengthy and strenuous hike along Snow Lake, the journey offers unadulterated views of the mountain range, the glacier, and many panoramas or various landmarks and wildlife. This area is home to snow leopards, so wildlife enthusiasts are encouraged to visit.
Photo by Harshil Gudka
Vatnajokull
The Vatnajokull Glacier covers 8% of Iceland's landmass and is surrounded by active volcanoes, hot springs, and ice caves and is the Guinness World Record holder for the point with the longest sightline. Hiking access can be obtained through the national park, and daily tours of all lengths and types are available for those less adventurous or experienced explorers visiting Iceland.
Hubbard
Unlike the other glaciers on this list, Hubbard is a tidewater glacier located in Alaska that expands for 76 miles from its origin, and it is still growing. People frequently come here to experience the sound of "white thunder" or cracking and breaking shortly before an ice shelf breaks off and plunges into the water. To view the ice shelves, visitors can hike or take boats, canoes, or kayaks out to the glacier.
Glacier National Park
If long trips to exotic places are not in the cards for you right now, take a look at Glacier National Park. Located in Montana, this park is home to 25 active glaciers and 35 glaciers overall. These glaciers are relatively small compared to some of the others on this list. However, they are still beautiful, and the park itself offers a wide variety of hiking trails, camping sites, lakes, and opportunities to see rare and fascinating wildlife.
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