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In this article, we’ll cover all the best volcano hikes in Guatemala. If you’re looking to hike a volcano, whether active or inactive, this article will cover all the details you need to know to plan your trek.

Guatemala is a beautiful country that has so many bucket list things to do. You could easily spend months here, and still not scratch the surface. But if you’re looking to make a real bang during your Guatemala itinerary, you need to hike a volcano.

Guatemala is so mountainous and volcanoes are a main part of the landscape here. Whether you’re in Antigua, Lake Atitlan or Quetzaltenango, you’ll find many volcanoes to hike. Some are active, while others are dormant or completely inactive.

Even after 7 weeks in Guatemala, we didn’t have a chance to hike all these amazing volcanoes. That’s why we asked our favorite bloggers to help us compile the best volcanoes to hike in Guatemala. These are hikes you should be adding to your Guatemala Itinerary, especially if you’re looking to have an amazing adventure.

This article may contain affiliate/compensated links. For more information, please see our disclaimer here. We take all the efforts necessary to ensure the information included in this post is accurate, correct and current, sometimes, things just change! Travel information like opening hours, business operations and prices may change. If you find anything in this post that is incorrect or outdated, please let me know in the comments so I can update it for other readers. Cheers!

The volcanoes in Guatemala

Guatemala is home to over 30 volcanoes. Some are very active (we’re looking at you, Fuego!), while others are dormant and inactive. Either way, they are spectacular and make the Guatemalan landscape even more special!

With so many volcanoes, you know there are plenty of hiking opportunities. And whether you’re looking for a multi-day hike or an easy day hike up a volcano, you have plenty of options in Guatemala. Whether you’re looking for a spectacular view or a special experience, there’s something for everyone!

Just know that the more you chase a stunning view, the harder the hike will be. Often, these volcanoes (especially the active ones), have very tough terrain to navigate – think sandy, ashy paths. The inclines are also quite steep. Plus, when you get to these altitudes, the air becomes thinner, which makes the trek even harder.

But we’re not here to deter you! Quite the opposite actually, we encourage you to step out of your comfort zone, push yourself physically, and go hike that volcano! We just want you to know what you’re getting yourself into!

Whether you’re an experienced hiker or a beginner, exploring the volcanoes in Guatemala is an unforgettable experience that should not be missed!

The 8 best volcano hikes in Guatemala

Guatemala is known for its breathtaking natural beauty, and the country’s volcanoes are no exception. With over 30 active and inactive volcanoes, hiking in Guatemala is a unique and unforgettable experience. Here are some of the best volcano hikes in Guatemala that you won’t want to miss.

We’ve listed them depending on where you have to stay to hike them. This will help you plan your trip a little more easily.

We’ll also give you all the information you need to make sure you’re ready to hike these volcanoes in Guatemala. You’ll learn about each of the volcanoes, how long the trek is, how difficult it may be and what to pack. With all this information, you’ll be able to better plan for hiking volcanoes in Guatemala.

The 3 best volcanoes to hike near Antigua

In this section, we’ll go over the best volcano hikes that are within driving distance of Antigua. In order to do these hikes, it would be easier to be based in Antigua. You can do them as day hikes or overnight hikes. The tour companies that take you to these volcanoes are usually based in Antigua and include transport to and from the city.

You can also do some of these hikes without a guided tour, but we highly recommend going with people who know the trails and who’ll be able to make the trip go smoother.

1. Hiking Acatenango, the hardest volcano hike in Guatemala

Contributed by yours truly from wediditiourway.com

Acatenango is undoubtedly the most famous volcano hike in all of Guatemala. It’s known to be the hardest volcano hike in Central America (according to our guides). But it’s totally worth it for the insane views of the surrounding towns, volcanoes and erupting Fuego!

Acatenango is one of the highest volcanoes in Central America, standing at 3,976 meters. It’s located in La Soledad. The elevation gains, the steep incline and the thin air make this a challenging hike. Plus, the ground is sandy, ashy lava, which also makes it quite slippery when going up or down. Hiking to the summit will take about 6-7 hours. And although you can hike it on a day trip, the most popular option is the overnight Acatenango hike. This will also include the night trek of Fuego. But more on this later.

The 2-day Acatenango hike starts around 7 am at the offices of the tour company. We recommend going with Wicho and Charlie’s. Their guides are great, the service is wonderful, and the food is plant-based and delicious! After the hike briefing, breakfast and renting hiking gear, you set out to hike Acatenango.

The hike to basecamp is divided into 3 parts: the farmlands where you’ll trek through coffee and corn plantations. This part is quite steep. The lush rainforest (or cloud forest) section is still a good incline up. And the ‘flat part’ which is a barren and rocky trail that gets you to basecamp around 3-3:30 pm. This lasts about 1 hour. The rest of the time is spent there unless you’re hiking Fuego.

The hike to the summit of Acatenango happens the next morning at 4-4:30 am. You’ll get to the summit of Acatenango for sunrise. After breakfast, you’ll set back down the volcano around 7-7:30 am and arrive in La Soledad 2-3 hours later.

When hiking the Acatenango volcano, we recommend you rent hiking poles. They will be of great help during the ascent and descent of the hikes. It’s also important to bring lots of water and to stay hydrated. Make sure you have snacks as well. Pack warm clothes and a change of clothes, as you’ll get hot and sweaty during the day – if you don’t change, you’ll just be cold at night. Make sure you have sturdy hiking shoes and a headlamp for the nighttime.

More details about hiking Acatenango volcano

• Length of the hike: Day 1: about 6 hours (without Fuego). Day 2: 3 hours without the summit hike. 6 hours with the summit hike.
• Hike difficulty: Difficult
• Tour companies to hike with: Wicho and Charlie’s. Ox Expeditions. V Hiking. Soy Tours.
• Approximate cost: Between $90 to $100 USD
• Other options for the hike:
  • You can scale Acatenango independently, but you’ll need to bring all your camping and cooking gear with you.
  • You can also do it as a day trip, which will be quite strenuous. Tours start around 4 am and return around 3 pm.
  • Instead of hiking the trail, you can also take a 4×4 up to basecamp.
  • There are also options to do the trail on horseback if you prefer, but we don’t recommend this option at all.

2. Scaling the active Fuego volcano near Acatenango

Contributed by yours truly from wediditiourway.com

Fuego is another famous volcano to hike in Guatemala. From Antigua, you can see it erupting on clear days. It is known to erupt every 15-30 minutes. And it’s quite a spectacular view! In fact, Fuego is one of the most active volcanoes in Central America. Although it erupts frequently without causing damage, it did have a major eruption in June 2018, taking the lives of nearly 200 people from surrounding communities.

You can’t hike Fuego on its own – instead, you have to pair it with the Acatenango overnight volcano hike. Just like the latter, it is a hard trek, not only because of the altitude and the sandy rocky terrain but also because you’ll have already hiked up to the base camp on Acatenango that same day. To get to the ridge of Fuego, you’ll need to hike back down the valley between the volcanoes and back up Fuego again. The whole route will take about 2 hours each way.

The way down from basecamp is in the lush forest, with very sandy terrain. This section should take about 30 minutes. Once you get to the bottom of the valley, your hike up will be very hard as the terrain gets even sandier and slippery. This portion will take about 1.5-2 hours, depending on your physical level of fitness and the size of the group.

There are day hikes up to Fuego that can be done, but we recommend going on the Acatenango overnight hike and doing this as a part of that tour.

More details about hiking Fuego volcano

• Length of the hike: 5-6 hours added onto the Acatenango hike, including time at Fuego Ridge. 12 hours as a day trip.
• Hike difficulty: Very hard
• Tour companies to hike with: Wicho and Charlie’s. Ox Expeditions. V Hiking. Soy Tours.
• Approximate cost: $25 USD extra, on top of the cost of hiking Acatenango.

3. Hiking Pacaya volcano, a short and not-so-hard volcano hike near Antigua

Contributed by Zoe from ZoeGoesPlaces.com

Pacaya is an active, cone-shaped volcano once known for its long lava rivers. And now famous for being a place where you can roast marshmallows on the hot volcanic rock. 

But, to reach this point you’ll first have to hike 2.2 km uphill from the trailhead. In the beginning, the path is well-trodden dirt but this soon becomes loose volcanic ash. And, you’ll need to clamber across large rocks on the lava fields. 

The half-day hike on Pacaya Volcano is best enjoyed first thing in the morning or in the late afternoon. This way you can enjoy sunrise or sunset from a fantastic vantage point. It takes about 60 to 90 minutes to reach the lava fields, and then it’s a little further to the highest viewpoint. 

Importantly, as Pacaya is still an active volcano in Guatemala, so you don’t climb all the way up to the peak. Only to the scorched lava fields and back again. 

The cheapest and easiest way to do this hike is with a tour from Antigua. The price (normally around $20 USD) will include transport and a guide, but you’ll need to pay the national park entrance fee on top. 

One top tip for climbing this volcano – rent the walking poles from the locals at the trailhead. The descent down from the viewpoint is steep and all volcanic sand and ash – you basically slide the whole way. And the walking pole will help you keep your balance…

More details about hiking Acatenango volcano

• Length of the hike: Around 3 hours round trip
• Hike difficulty: Difficult (but not as hard as other volcano hikes near Antigua)
• Tour companies to hike with: There are plenty of tour operators that will take you to hike Pacaya.
• Approximate cost: $20 USD
• Other hiking options: You can hike Pacaya for sunrise or sunset. They also offer overnight hikes, horseback riding hikes, options with a picnic and many others.

3 hikes to volcanoes near Quetzaltenango

Most people don’t include Quetzaltenango on their Guatemala itinerary, but it’s a great city to explore. There are quite a few things to do here, and best of all, it’s a great place to set up camp if you’re looking to hike 3 of the most famous volcanoes in Guatemala.

You obviously don’t need to hike all three of these volcanoes near Xela, but we do recommend you check at least one of them out. Depending on your level of fitness and the amount of time you’re spending in Quetzaltenango, you can pick the right volcano for you.

Again, we have a good mix of active and inactive volcanoes to choose from, and have included all the details you need to make sure you have a great hike!

4. Santa Maria Volcano, a difficult volcano to hike in Guatemala

Contributed by Ossama from AwesomeTraveler.blog

Gather your hiking gear for an experience of a lifetime and hike the Santa Maria Volcano in Guatemala. The hike is easy and accessible for all skilled hikers. As you get higher it gets steep but manageable. As a matter of fact, you do not need a tour guide to hike it. On the plus side, it is a free hike for everyone and is considered to be a safe hike.

The hiking trail is about a 13-km round trip to the summit of the volcano. You can reach up to 3,772 meters in elevation. As you move along the hike, there are spray-painted arrows that guide you to the top. In the beginning, it is surrounded by grassy Verges once you reach the top and the road gets
steeper, and then it gets replaced by twisted trees and spiky grasses.

However, do not let this stop you. The view from above is worth it. Once you reach the summit, panoramic views of Xela and the Guatemalan countryside welcome you with open arms. The view from above can take your breath away.

The whole hike takes around 6 hours to complete from Llano Del Pinal, so make sure to arrive there early. Not a surprise considering it’s the fourth tallest peak in Guatemala.

More details about hiking Santa Maria volcano

• Length of the hike: 6 hours round-trip
• Hike difficulty: Hard
• Tour companies to hike with: Adrenalina Tours.  Monte Verde Tours.
• Approximate cost: $30-35 USD for a tour

5. Tajumulco volcano, a volcano summit to hike in Guatemala

Contributed by Lara from TheBestTravelGifts.com

If you’re a volcano hiking enthusiast looking to conquer some of the highest peaks in the world, Tajumulco is a must-visit destination. Standing tall at 4,203 meters, it is the highest mountain volcano in Guatemala and Central America!

Tajumulco is located in the Sierra Madre de Chiapas region, and the trail starts near the village of Tuichan. For those looking for a guide or a city to gear up in, Quetzaltenango (Xela) is a better option. From there, you take a bus to San Marcos and change to a bus towards San Sebastian and Tacan, which can drop you off near the start of the trail.

The hike is not overly complicated, the trail is marked, but not very well-maintained. It’s best to bring a map (on your phone) or go with a guide. As you climb, temperatures drop significantly, so don’t forget to pack extra layers, gloves, and a hat.

Although Tajumulco can be done in one day (7-9 hours hiking time), it’s highly recommended to camp near the top to fully appreciate the panoramic view at sunset and sunrise. Camping and hiking Tajumulco is free of charge, so there’s no reason to miss this opportunity to hike this iconic volcano in Guatemala.

For inexperienced hikers or those who don’t speak Spanish, it’s highly recommended to go with a guide. A 2-day tour costs around $60 USD and includes food, gear, and transport to the trailhead. But regardless of your experience level, climbing Tajumulco volcano is an awe-inspiring experience for anyone visiting Guatemala. 

More details about hiking Tajumulco volcano

• Length of the hike: 7-9 hours
• Hike difficulty: Hard
• Approximate cost: $60 USD

6. Hiking Laguna Chicabal, the dormant volcano near Xela

Contributed by yours truly at WeDidItOurWay.com

Laguna Chicabal is a sacred lake located in the crater of an inactive volcano. For Mayans in the area, they believe that it’s a portal to the underworld and is home to powerful spirits, which is why they make offerings here. Swimming in the lake is forbidden. For hiking enthusiasts, it’s an opportunity to discover a different type of volcano and dive deeper into local life. But not literally, cause you can’t go in the water, since it’s sacred!

Chicabal is located in the town of San Martin Sacatepéquez. It’s about an hour’s bus ride from Quetzaltenango. And it’s a hike that can easily be done independently. You can also choose to do it with a tour if you prefer.

The tricky thing about hiking Chicabal is that you should get there before 10 am if you want to see the lake in the crater. If not, you’ll find yourself in the same situation as us – thick fog will roll in and you won’t see a thing!

Once the bus drops you off, you hike through the town of San Martin for a good 45-60 minutes. After that, you’ll reach the entrance of the park, where you’ll need to hike another 45-60 minutes to the top of the crater. From there, it’s a trek down the 500 steps that lead you to the lake.

The trail is mainly a paved road through the town. It then turns into cobblestone and finally a very bumpy dirt patch road. There are plenty of bumps in the road, so be careful while hiking here.

If you don’t want to hike through the town and park, there are 4×4 trucks that will take you up to either the entrance of the park (for 75Q per vehicle, up to 7 people) or for 100Q, they take you to the top of the crater.

The temperatures quickly change on this hike. It’s advisable to dress in layers. During the first part, you’ll be ok with shorts and a T-shirt. During the part in the rainforest, you may want a sweater. And once the fog rolls in on the lake, it’s advisable to have a light rain jacket as it gets humid and wet. Make sure you also pack snacks and water, although you do have little tiendas (shops) on the path to crater and at the top.

Because Laguna Chicabal is a sacred place, it’s advisable to dress modestly and to be respectful of the traditions and customs of the local Maya people.

More details about hiking Chicabal volcano

• Length of the hike: 4-5 hours round-trip
• Hike difficulty: Moderate
• Tour companies to hike with: Hostals and hotels will be able to arrange tours to Chicabal. They leave at 6 am (with good reason)
• Approximate cost:
  • Done independently: 10Q for the chicken bus. 50Q for the entrance fee. And 100Q if you want to take the 4×4 truck from the bottom to the steps down.
  • With a tour, prices vary between $60 to $150 USD, depending on what is included in the tour.

4 amazing volcano hikes in Lake Atitlan

Lake Atitlan is a beautiful place to discover in Guatemala. Many people choose to spend only one day around the Lake, mainly as a day trip from Antigua, but we would recommend spending at least 4-5 days here. This will not only give you the opportunity to visit some of the beautiful towns, but you’ll also get to explore one of the amazing volcanoes around Lake Atitlan.

Here are 4 amazing volcano hikes you can check out while you’re around Lake Atitlan.

7. Hiking San Pedro, the largest volcano in Lake Atitlan

Contributed by Ian & Emily from TMBTENT.com

For those looking for an adventurous volcano hike in Guatemala, look no further than Volcán San Pedro on Lake Atitlan. Rising high above the small village of San Pedro La Laguna, you’ll get stunning views of the lake and small villages that dot the surrounding shoreline. 

The hike to the top is strenuous, with the trail winding through dense forest with occasional views out across the water. However, most moderately fit visitors should be able to hike the entire trail in 4 to 6 hours. You’ll need to start the hike early in the day, so we recommend staying at one of the many good accommodation options in San Pedro. Getting to San Pedro is straightforward, with many daily boat connections from nearby Panajachel.

In our opinion hiking with a guide is a must for this trail, as it helps ensure you stay on course and supports the local economy. 

Safety on the Volcan San Pedro trail will be top of mind for many hikers, as the past few years have seen reports of thefts near the summit. However, recent visitors have reported that the situation is much improved, and the trail is now patrolled by local police. Regardless, we recommend leaving your valuable behind for this one.

More details about hiking San Pedro volcano

• Length of the hike: 4 to 6 hours
• Hike difficulty: Very difficult
• Tour companies to hike with: Many tours are offered all around San Pedro
• Approximate cost: 100Q for foreigners without a guide, or roughly 300Q with a tour company.

8. Hiking the famous Indian Nose Ridge in Lake Atitlan (aka Mayan Ridge)

Contributed by Katie from KatieCafTravel.com

The “Indian Nose” Ridge Hike (also called Rostro Maya, or “Mayan Face” in the local language) is the best sunrise volcano hike you can do at Lake Atitlan. 

You’d never know from its grassy and lush appearance, but Mayan Face/ Indian Nose Ridge is actually a dormant volcano in Guatemala, as are most of the impressive ridges and mountains lining Lake Atitlan. 

Looking up from lakeside San Pedro or San Juan at Lake Atitlan, the ridge appears to be a face of a man in profile – hence the name Mayan Face Ridge. 

Transportation isn’t that easy in Lake Atitlan, there’s no ride-hailing service and instead, you need to travel to the various villages on the lake by car, tuk-tuk, taxi-boat, or private boat.  

Booking a tour is the easiest way to hike the ridge at sunrise, as it includes transportation and a guide. Most tours start early, with pick-up in a minibus around 4 am from towns on the western side of Lake Atitlan.

The hike itself is not challenging and takes about 30 minutes to reach the viewpoint. Even in the dark, the path is manageable, and you’ll start to see a faint glow on the horizon as you approach. 

Once you reach the viewpoint, you can take a seat and watch the sunrise. The changing colors of the sky make for an unforgettable sight. If the weather is clear, you may even see lava erupting from Fuego Volcano before the sun rises.

One top tip for this hike would be to dress in layers. It’s quite cold in the morning but warms up as the sun comes up. It’s also quite windy at the top of the mountain. Also, if you have a headlamp, bring it (or use your cellphone flashlight) as it’s quite dark at 4 am.

More details about hiking Indian Nose Ridge volcano

• Length of the hike: 3.5 hours to and from San Pedro, but 1 hour of active hiking round-trip
• Hike difficulty: Easy
• Tour companies to hike with: There are many tour companies in San Pedro that offer this hike. You can also check out the tours below.
• Approximate cost: The tours will charge between 80 to 125Q, including a guide, transport with pickup from your hotel, drop off at the port in San Pedro, and coffee (and maybe a small snack) at the summit.

2 more hikes at Lake Atitlan

If you’re interested and looking for a bigger challenge, there are 2 more tough volcano hikes to do in Lake Atitlan. These two volcanoes stand out when looking at the landscape of Lake Atitlan.

The first hike is up the Atitlan volcano. A few tours are offered from Santiago Atitlan – you’ll see tour operators selling their packages to hike this volcano. Accessible from the town of Santiago Atitlan, this summit will take about 5 hours to get to. Most tours will not offer lunch, but recommend bringing one, or at least bringing some snacks with you. It’s also important to bring plenty of water as the heat can weigh on you. Guides will show you the way and tell you more about the local vegetation and history of the place. Packages include entrance fees to the park as well.

The second volcano hike around Lake Atitlan is the double peak of Toliman volcano. This hike also starts at Santiago Atitlan, passing through corn fields, and tropical rainforests, before getting to a beautiful view from above. You’ll also get to see the imploded crater. This hike will take about 8 hours in total as you get to the 3,237 meter summit. Tours include entrance fees and some will throw in complimentary snacks.

Everything you need to know about hiking volcanoes in Guatemala

Of course, hiking a volcano in Guatemala (or anywhere) should not be taken lightly. Here are some important things to know before you head off and start trekking an active or inactive volcano in Guatemala!

Is it safe to hike a volcano in Guatemala?

Generally speaking, the volcano hikes in Guatemala are safe. Of course, that doesn’t mean you can just pack your bag and start hiking any volcano. Preparation is needed, and being informed is key! You should check the weather forecast before leaving and pack accordingly. It’s also always a good idea to go with a tour group!

Volcanoes in Guatemala don’t tend to erupt in a major way. Many of them are being monitored to ensure the safety of the people on expeditions and the nearby communities.

However, major eruptions do happen. The last big volcano eruption in Guatemala was in June 2018, when Fuego Volcano erupted. It spewed ash and lava and pyroclastic flows devasted the nearby communities. This major eruption took the lives of 190 people, making it one of the deadliest eruptions in Guatemalan history.

What should you pack on a volcano hike in Guatemala?

As we mentioned, being prepared is key when trekking a volcano in Guatemala. Of course, every volcano is different and requires its own set of things to pack. Overall, we recommend bringing plenty of water (higher altitudes can cause nausea and being hydrated help). You should also bring snacks for yourself, and some dog food, if you can. There are many wild dogs living in these areas, and feeding them is always a nice gesture.

Make sure you pack warm clothes (including a change of clothes if you’re staying overnight) and a change of socks too. Sturdy hiking shoes are also a must, but we saw many people hike with sneakers and they were ok.

Bring a hat and sunscreen to protect yourself from the sun. Some hikes will require insect repellant.

If you plan on sleeping overnight, and you’re not going with a tour group, you’ll also need camping gear like a tent, sleeping bag, cooking supplies and food.

How hard are the volcano hikes in Guatemala?

This is a hard question to answer because some hikes are harder than others. But generally speaking, these volcano hikes are not strolls in the park!
The difficulty of the volcano hike varies depending on the volcano you hike and the trail you take. Acatenango (and Fuego) are some of the hardest in Central America. Shorter hikes like Indian Nose Ridge are much easier.

But again, high altitudes, tricky climbing conditions and weather changes can make the volcano hikes seem harder.

When is the best time to hike the volcanoes in Guatemala?

As always, the dry season is the best time to trek the volcanoes. The dry season runs from November to April and the weather during this time is more predictable.

During the rainy season, the paths can get muddy and weather patterns can quickly change which may affect the hike.

Do I need a guide to hike a volcano in Guatemala?

You can always hike the volcanoes of Guatemala without a guide or tour. Do we recommend it? Not really! The guides who work with tour groups have been trekking these trails since they were kids. They know the paths by heart and can get you out of a pinch if need be. Also, you’re less likely to get into trouble with bandits when you hike with a group.

With a tour or group, you also won’t need to carry all the gear for overnight hikes, which is always great!

However, we chose to hike Laguna Chicabal without a tour. And we had a great time and were able to do it without a problem. But this was a fairly strenuous hike (we took a ride back down) and the area is known to be safe. Did we have the best timing, no! In fact, we totally didn’t see the crater. but it was still a magical experience!

For harder and longer hikes, like Acatenango, Fuego and Tajumulco, we recommend going with a tour. Unless you’re gunning to hike them on a day trip. In which case, you can probably do it on your own.

The 10 best volcano hikes in Guatemala

There you have it friends! The best volcano you can hike in Guatemala. You have a great range of easy to very difficult hikes to keep you busy during your time in Guatemala.

As a reminder, here they are:

1. Acatenango
2. Fuego
3. Pacaya
4. Santa Maria
5. Tajumulco
6. Chicabal
7. San Pedro
8. Indian Nose Ridge
9. Atitlan Volcano
10. Toliman Volcano

Thanks again to our amazing collaborators for their valuable insights on these hikes! As much as we would have loved to do all of these incredible volcano hikes in Guatemala, we’re not sure our knees and legs would have survived!

Let us know in the comments which volcano hike you’re adding to your list. Is there one you’d like to do but won’t be able to?

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