10 Glaciers So Stunning You Won’t Believe They’re Real
Nature likes to show off, and it has a way of sculpting ice into jaw-dropping masterpieces. These glaciers look like something out of a fantasy novel, but they’re very real, and trust us, photos don’t do them justice. If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through an icy wonderland, this list is packed with places that will make you want to book a trip immediately.
Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland
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Switzerland’s Aletsch Glacier is the largest in the Alps, stretching over 14 miles with ice up to 3,280 feet thick. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and for good reason. Hikers can explore its trails, while the Jungfraujoch railway offers a breathtaking view from above.
Hubbard Glacier, Alaska, USA
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Some glaciers are disappearing, but Hubbard is growing. This Alaskan giant is North America’s largest tidewater glacier, measuring 76 miles long. It calves massive icebergs into Disenchantment Bay. The sound of the ice cracking is thunderous, and watching giant chunks crash into the water is unforgettable.
Vatnajökull Glacier, Iceland
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Iceland isn’t called the “Land of Fire and Ice” for nothing. Vatnajökull covers about 8% of the country and is Europe’s largest glacier by volume and area. Hidden under its frozen surface are volcanoes, and when they erupt, they send floods rushing through the ice. It’s also home to crystal-blue ice caves that form in winter.
Hailuogou Glacier, China
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High in the mountains of Sichuan, Hailuogou Glacier has something most glaciers don’t—hot springs. Yes, you can soak in steaming water while gazing at a frozen river of ice. It is nearly 9 miles long and flows from Mount Gongga, China’s “King of the Sichuan Alps.”
Furtwangler Glacier, Tanzania
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Glaciers usually belong in icy regions, but this one sits just below the equator. Furtwängler Glacier sits near the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro. It is one of the last ice patches on Africa’s highest peak. Once part of a massive ice cap, it’s now smaller than its original size and disappearing fast.
Khumbu Glacier, Nepal
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If you’ve ever dreamed of climbing Mount Everest, you must cross Khumbu Glacier first. It has deep crevasses and contains the infamous Khumbu Icefall, where blocks of ice shift the size of buildings without warning. Climbers navigate it using ladders and ropes, hoping not to get caught in an avalanche.
Mer de Glace, France
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Translating to the “Sea of Ice,” Mer de Glace is France’s largest glacier and a significant attraction in Mont Blanc. Visitors take a historic cogwheel train to see its breathtaking view, which winds nearly 4.3 miles through the Alps. Each year, an ice cave is carved into its surface and allows tourists to enter its frozen walls.
Pasterze Glacier, Austria
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Austria’s longest glacier, Pasterze, is a highlight of the Grossglockner region. It stretches 5.2 miles, sitting beneath Austria’s tallest peak and offering hikers a front-row seat to one of nature’s most dramatic sights. The ice here moves at about 33 feet per year and slows down only as temperatures rise.
Baltoro Glacier, Pakistan
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Some of the world’s tallest peaks rise along the Baltoro Glacier. This 39-mile ice river cuts through the Karakoram Range, leading straight to K2, the second-highest mountain in the world. It doesn’t end in a lake or ocean but winds through the mountains.
Athabasca Glacier, Canada
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Athabasca Glacier is one of the most accessible in North America. You can walk right up to it, though signs show how much it has retreated over the years. Tourists hop on massive all-terrain ice explorers to get a closer look and step onto a glacier that’s thousands of years old.
Grey Glacier, Chile
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Chile’s Grey Glacier is part of Torres del Paine National Park, a place known for its dramatic scenery. This massive ice field feeds into Grey Lake, where bright blue icebergs float like natural sculptures. The ice constantly shifts, breaks, and reforms, creating an ever-changing beauty.
Jostedalsbreen Glacier, Norway
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Norway’s largest glacier, Jostedalsbreen, covers nearly 188 square miles and dwarfs everything around it. Its arms stretch into deep valleys to create a wild mix of ice, rock, and greenery. One of its most famous arms, Nigardsbreen, offers guided glacier walks, where visitors strap on crampons and trek across deep blue ice.
Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina
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Perito Moreno is nearly as stable as its beginning. This Argentinian wonder stretches over 19 miles and towers 240 feet above the water. Massive ice chunks regularly break off into Lake Argentino. It’s a rare example of a glacier that isn’t losing ground—at least for now.
Fox Glacier, New Zealand
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Fox Glacier is one of the few places on Earth that allows you to experience walking from lush rainforest to ancient ice in just a few hours. It flows toward the coast faster than most glaciers—up to 10 times quicker, thanks to its steep gradient.
Lambert Glacier, Antarctica
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Antarctica’s Lambert Glacier is the largest in the world, stretching over 250 miles. It moves more ice than any other glacier on the planet and feeds directly into the sea. The scale of Lambert is nearly impossible to grasp, and it’s just one of the biggest frozen mysteries in Antarctica.