Ever wonder if it is possible to hike a volcano that still erupts? Volcan Pacaya, outside the city of Antigua, provides travelers with the opportunity to do so in under a day.
Lava on Pacaya. Karlbert. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Picture this: a tour guide hands you a marshmallow to toast, but it is not over a fire. Instead, you roast it over the scalding lava rocks atop Volcán Pacaya, located in Guatemala. Hiking it has become a popular activity for those who choose to visit the quaint town of Antigua. Rich with historical value, shopping opportunities and a variety of restaurants, it is no surprise that Antigua is a well-loved destination among travelers and expats. In fact, the town is currently a UNESCO World Heritage site. Those who visit Antigua will be sure to notice its unique views, the most noticeable one being Pacaya on the horizon. Pacaya provides Antigua inhabitants with a clear view of the volcano actively erupting, which can be seen from the city’s central park. The constant reminder of its presence makes it hard not to wonder what it looks like from the top.
Hiking to the top of Pacaya is one way to indulge in the adventurous and historical side of Guatemala at the same time. The volcano’s first eruption is estimated to have occurred almost 23,000 years ago. Pacaya now erupts hundreds of times a day, a trend that began in 1965, and has soldiered on since. In June of 2001, the volcano was deemed a national park, highlighting Pacaya’s beauty for the world while allowing locals to preserve the site officially. The volcano’s history is as powerful as its eruptions, but there are several safe ways to reach the top for those with a venturesome soul.
Pacaya Volcano. Bruno Girin. CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Climbing a volcano is undoubtedly a daunting task. Climbing an active one may seem even wilder. So how should one go about it? Fear not, Pacaya is the most frequently hiked volcano in all of Guatemala. Travel agencies and other local institutions offer guided trips up the volcano; this option is often the safest because the guides are well-prepared to hike the volcano, rain or shine, and they do so daily. The hike averages two hours in length, but may vary depending on the weather and the experience of those hiking it. Many recommend hiking in the morning to avoid the rain Guatemala often sees in the afternoons. Locals leading the hikes offer a variety of facts about the volcano’s history, as well hiking tips and the best spots to take photographs.
For those who feel a two hour hike up a volcano is too much but are still interested in seeing the view from the top, the hike can be done on horseback. For a small fee, a guide will lead you and your horse up Pacaya, an option that allows for comfort. Tour guides also bring marshmallows and spend a portion of time at the top roasting them near the hot volcanic rocks, a phenomenon that demonstrates the heat Pacaya generates while providing hikers with a rewarding (and delicious) snack. Pacaya is the accessible active volcano you never knew you needed to climb.
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Ellie Sabby
Ellie is a senior at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, studying English literature. She is the Chief Online Editor and Chief Art Editor for undergraduate literary and art magazine, The Tower. In her free time, she enjoys writing poetry, reading anything by Shakespeare, and fulfilling her passion for traveling through a variety of spontaneous trips.