Summary
Over thousands of years, volcanic activity has yielded a breathtaking array of incredible features, from craters and calderas to lava flows and tubes. These geological marvels are not just terms from your elementary school science textbook: You can actually see them up close— all you have to do is hike an active volcano.
To help you get started planning your next adventure, we’ve rounded up 15 volcano hikes around the world that draw thrill-seekers, nature enthusiasts, and mountain climbing experts to their awe-inspiring peaks. Some hikes are easily accessible to beginner hikers, while others require gear, technical climbing skills, a high level of fitness, and a fair bit of courage to reach the summit. Plenty of options offer a variety of spectacular trails in between the extremes.
Regardless of which volcano you plan to hike—whether it boasts a consistent quiet or continuously erupts—ensure you are up to speed on its alert levels before your trip. Trails may be temporarily closed due to strong gases, eruptions, and other volcanic activity.
01. Mount Etna
Outside Italy’s Catania sits the over 11,000-foot-tall Mount Etna, Europe’s largest active volcano. Not only has Mount Etna been erupting longer than any other volcano in history (the first eruption was recorded in 1,500 B.C.), but it also erupts more frequently than most volcanoes worldwide.
Despite its high activity, Mount Etna is considered fairly safe for nearby residents. To visit, drive or take a bus from Catania’s railway station to the parking lot at Rifugio Sapienza. From there, you can take a cable car to the station on Mount Etna; once you’re there, you can hike along any number of trails.
02. Pacaya
Pacaya is roughly a one-hour drive from Antigua, Guatemala. You can hire a guide at the visitor’s center, or you may join a guided tour departing from Antigua. If the moderately steep hike seems too arduous, you have the option to ride a horse to the top. Remember to pack chocolate and graham crackers for the hike, as your guide may provide marshmallows to roast on the fumaroles.
03. Mount Aso
At the center of Kyushu, Japan’s third-largest island, lies Mount Aso. Its caldera is one of the largest globally, with a 12-mile diameter and a 75-mile circumference. Five volcanic peaks occupy this caldera; one of them, Mount Nakadake, is an active volcano with a summit reaching 5,875 feet.
You can reach the Nakadake Crater by taking a bus from JR Aso Station in Aso, Kumamoto, Japan to Asosan Nishi Station, or you can drive to a parking lot next to the crater. While visiting Aso-Kuju National Park, be sure to check out the Aso Volcano Museum by the Nakadake Crater, along with the nearby hot spring villages in Tarutama, Beppu, and Aso. If you’re eager for more hiking, Mount Aso’s other peaks offer plenty of trails.
04. Mount Mayon
Mount Mayon, the most active volcano in the Philippines, has erupted over 50 times since the 1600s, with the most recent eruption occurring in 2022. The trek up the mountain presents challenges, with Trail Adventours rating it a seven out of ten in trail difficulty for the two-day journey (though you might consider adding an extra day). If you are ready for the challenge, proceed to Legazpi in Albay Province; from there, you can access the Buyuhan trail in Buyahan or the Buang trail in Tabaco.
05. Mount St. Helens
You don’t have to leave the United States to hike a volcano. This 8,300-foot volcano in Washington state boasts more than 200 miles of trails with various scenic points of interest among rock and ash, including stunning waterfalls, lakes, canyons, an emerging glacier, and otherworldly caves. Trails are available for hikers of all skill levels, from the stroller-friendly Meta Lake loop to the challenging 32-mile Loowit Trail. The hike to the summit may seem daunting, but with a permit, this thrilling endeavor is well within reach—no technical skills required.
06. Mount Ngauruhoe
Fans of Lord of the Rings will recognize this volcano as Mount Doom from the famed Tolkien franchise, but fortunately, you don’t have to navigate your way to Middle-earth to see its real-life counterpart. Located in Tongariro National Park, the oldest national park in New Zealand and a UNESCO dual World Heritage Area, Mount Ngauruhoe can be accessed by hiking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.
Considered one of New Zealand’s best day hikes, this one-way 12-mile trek takes you through a volcanic landscape of crater lakes, glacial valleys, and ancient lava flows. The Tongariro Crossing can be accomplished in seven to eight hours with stunning views of Ngauruhoe. However, please keep in mind that the local Māori tribe, Ngāti Hikairo ki Tongariro, regards the mountain as sacred and kindly requests that the summit not be climbed.
07. Mount Vesuvius
Mount Vesuvius, perhaps the most famous of Italy’s volcanoes, is notorious for destroying Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79 A.D. It is mainland Europe’s only active volcano, and despite having erupted just over three dozen times, its close proximity to Naples renders it one of the world’s most dangerous.
Vesuvius National Park offers 11 diverse trails suitable for beginners and advanced hikers alike. According to ITALY Magazine, while Trail 5—the hike to the Gran Cono (Big Cone)—is the most popular, opting for the more manageable Trail 4 provides the best views of the park. For detailed directions to Vesuvius, check the official website.
08. Masaya Volcano
Masaya Volcano is one of two volcanoes within Masaya Volcano National Park, with its highest peak reaching nearly 2,000 feet above sea level. This volcano offers an extraordinary night visit; you can drive up to the crater in the evening and peer into the glowing and bubbling depths of its lava lake. Of course, be sure to return during the day to explore the surrounding area as well.
09. Mount Rinjani
The second-highest volcano in Indonesia, the 12,200-foot Mount Rinjani can be found in Mount Rinjani National Park. Although few succeed in reaching the summit, you can undertake a multi-day trip to the crater rim to witness Segara Anak, the volcano’s awe-inspiring and sacred crater lake; Aik Kalak, its natural hot spring; and Mount Barujari, the crater’s active “baby” volcano.
To embark on this historically spiritual journey, head to either of the two access points: Senaru or Sembalun Lawang on the Indonesian island of Lombok. The government advises hikers against attempting to climb the mountain without a guide, so participating in an organized trek is your best option.
10. Arenal
This 5,400-foot volcano can be found amid the rainforest landscape of Costa Rica’s Arenal Volcano National Park. Arenal has not erupted since 2010, although you can still hear it rumble while it puffs and smokes.
Currently, it is illegal to hike Arenal (as well as the park’s other volcano, the dormant Cerro Chato). However, numerous trails in the park are available for exploration, many of which are perfect for novice hikers. For unrivaled views of Arenal Volcano and Lake Arenal, consider the Coladas de Lava trail, winding through scenic secondary forests and lava fields. While the park is not particularly known for its wildlife, keep an eye out for the occasional parrot or toucan in the trees.
11. Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park
Immerse yourself in Hawaii’s renowned volcanic landscapes on the Crater Rim Trail across Kīlauea’s caldera, accessible from several locations on Crater Rim Drive. Popular trails such as Kīlauea Iki Overlook, Devastation Trail, and the Sulphur Banks Trail make this national park a must-visit destination.
12. Villarrica
Villarrica is one of Chile’s most active volcanoes and features one of the few lava lakes in the world found in its crater. Unless you are a seasoned mountaineering expert, you will need a guide and proper equipment to hike this giant. Guided tours depart from Pucón, and upon reaching the mountain, you can save an hour and a half of hike time by taking the chairlift. Though a snowy, icy hike may seem daunting, the exhilarating sled ride down the slopes should alleviate your fears about your return trip.
13. Eyjafjallajökull
Reykjavík, the Blue Lagoon, and Thingvellir National Park might come to mind when thinking of Iceland, but the tourist hotspot is also home to the volcano Eyjafjallajökull, whose May 2010 eruption notoriously halted flights across Europe for nearly a week.
The hike to Eyjafjallajökull’s 5,400-foot summit can be treacherous, so considering a guided tour may be a wise choice for this trek. Instead of climbing to the top, you can choose the 15-mile Fimmvörðuháls trail, often regarded as one of the best day hikes in the country. With mesmerizing views of waterfalls, rivers, and lava fields against the stunning backdrop of Eyjafjallajökull and the Mýrdalsjökull glacier, it’s clear why this option is favored.
14. Cotopaxi
Cotopaxi is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and the second-highest mountain in Ecuador, standing at 19,300 feet. Situated outside Quito in the Andes Mountains, hiring an accredited mountain guide is advisable if you intend to trek to the icy summit.
If climbing the volcano isn’t for you, enjoy the stunning scenery of Cotopaxi National Park by taking the slightly less strenuous trail to the Jose Rivas Refuge, or opt for a peaceful path around the nature-filled lake, Laguna Limpiopungo.
15. Whakaari/White Island
Commonly referred to as White Island, New Zealand’s only active marine volcano is located in the Bay of Plenty. Since only 30 percent of the volcano is visible above the sea, you can easily observe the crater without needing to hike steep trails.
In light of the tragic events surrounding the fatal 2019 eruption, guided tours to the island are no longer available. Nevertheless, you can still hike to various lookout points to view the volcano from a distance or opt for a scenic flight tour for a different perspective.
