Climbing Destinations on a Volcano

Hiking up the side of a volcano can be one of the most exciting parts of your travels. Guided and maintained trails have made these attractions even easier for tourists to explore, in many cases regardless of fitness level. Check out the below volcanoes that will all make an excellent side stop during your travels, and cross this once-in-a-lifetime experience off your bucket list.

Tequila Volcano, near Tequila, Mexico, is so accessible you can drive right up to the top, then enjoy a short walk to the edge of the crater. Experienced hikers will also find an opportunity to climb the “plug,” the steep formation in the center.

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Mount Etna in Sicily offers spectacular views. You can choose to scale the active volcano via a combination of cable car, quad and hiking. Mount Etna was recently named a UNESCO Word Heritage Site, due to its history and nearby communities.

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Guatemala’s Tajumulco is one of the easier volcano hikes in Central America, but possibly the most difficult on this list. It’s currently inactive and a bus takes you up part of the way, before you make your journey to the top. The altitude can be an adjustment, so you can arrange to stay overnight on the mountain before making your way to the top.

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Whakaari in New Zealand can be explored with no climbing at all. Just walk straight into the volcano through a hole in the crater. Though the island is privately owned, you can easily find tours to take you there daily, as the volcano is considered relatively safe and a popular attraction.

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If you’re going to hike a volcano, why not go to possibly the most famous of all — Vesuvius. The flocks of tourists may be bothersome, but the views and history are worth it. A bus or taxi can take you to the parking area, and you can hike 30 minutes the rest of the way.