Quite simply,
hiking in Guatemala is awesome. It’s also unlike hiking anywhere else in the world, thanks to the Central American country’s unique volcanic landscape.
There are loads of amazing volcano hikes across Guatemala. These hikes range from shorter day adventures to challenging multi-day treks. By hiking volcanoes here, you could walk through coffee plantations, witness eruptions, or even roast marshmallows over lava.
Ready to find the best volcano hike in Guatemala? Read on for
Skyhook's top picks.
Seven Best Volcano Hikes in Guatemala
Length: The hike typically takes two days, with around 6-7 hours of hiking each day.
Difficulty: Considered strenuous due to steep inclines and high altitude. It's recommended for experienced hikers.
Starting Point: The hike usually begins in the village of La Soledad, located near Antigua Guatemala.
Acatenango is one of Guatemala's most famous volcano hikes, offering stunning views of the neighbouring Fuego Volcano.
It’s one of the best volcano hikes in Guatemala because it lets you really experience the best natural landscapes of this country over the course of two days.
The hike takes you through lush forests, past ancient lava flows, and up to the summit. When you’re at the top, you might be able to witness breathtaking eruptions from Fuego.
The trek is challenging but rewarding, with an overnight camp at a high altitude adding to the adventure. We recommend doing this volcano hike with a guided group. Not only will this ensure you safely stay on the trail, but you’ll also have a lot more fun being with other hikers and an expert guide.
Length: The hike is typically around 2-3 hours round trip, depending on the pace.
Difficulty: Moderate. While not as challenging as some other volcano hikes, the terrain can be rocky and uneven in places.
Starting Point: The hike starts from the town of San Francisco de Sales, which is about an hour's drive from Antigua.
Pacaya is one of the most accessible volcanoes near Antigua Guatemala, making it a popular choice for travellers seeking a shorter hike. And although it’s possibly the easiest volcano hike in Guatemala, this doesn't mean it’s not an insanely fun and rewarding experience.
The trail takes you through impressive volcanic landscapes with views of smoking craters and lava fields. You can even roast marshmallows over the hot vents on your way up!
We start with this hike in our
8-day Guatemala adventure as it’s a great introduction to climbing volcanoes. Plus, it’s easy to reach from Antigua - which any
Guatemala travel guide will tell you is a must-visit destination in the country.
Length: The hike usually takes around 6-7 hours round trip.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. The trail is steep and can be challenging, especially towards the summit.
Starting Point: The hike typically starts from the village of Llanos del Pinal, which is accessible by vehicle from Quetzaltenango.
Santa Maria Volcano offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding landscape. This includes the nearby Santiaguito Volcano, which is known for its frequent eruptions.
The hike takes you through cloud forests and up to the crater rim, where you can peer down into the active volcano below.
While it’s not the longest hike and can be done in a day, the incline is steep and the terrain is tricky. This makes it one of the more challenging volcano hikes in Guatemala. We’d recommend taking a guide up with you if you aren’t experienced in climbing volcanoes in the region.
However, when you make it to the summit, the views will be well worth the effort.
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Length: The hike is usually a two-day trek, with around 6-8 hours of hiking each day.
Difficulty: Strenuous. The high altitude and steep terrain make this hike challenging, and it's recommended for experienced hikers.
Starting Point: The hike typically begins from the town of Tuichán, which is accessible by vehicle from San Marcos.
Tajumulco is the highest peak in Central America, offering stunning views of Guatemala and neighbouring countries from its summit. Getting to the top of this volcano is an amazing reward, but it’s no easy feat.
The hike takes you through alpine meadows and past volcanic lakes, culminating in a challenging ascent to the top. It’s tough going, but you’ll be proud of the bragging rights you earn when you reach the summit.
We recommend you clear off a whole day to do this hike, as you’ll want to take it slow up the steep ascent.
Length: The hike usually takes around 4-6 hours round trip, depending on the route taken.
Difficulty: Moderate. While not as challenging as some other volcano hikes in Guatemala, the trail can be steep and slippery in places.
Starting Point: The hike typically starts from the village of San Pedro La Laguna, which is located on the shores of Lake Atitlán.
San Pedro Volcano overlooks beautiful Lake Atitlán and offers sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. This is one of the best volcano hikes in Guatemala for everyday hikers, as the day hike is incredibly beautiful without being too challenging. However, you’ll still feel a sense of proud accomplishment when you get to the top.
The hike takes you through dense forests and past coffee plantations, with the opportunity to spot wildlife along the way. This is a really uniquely Guatemalan hike, thanks to the landscapes along the route.
We highly recommend this hike if you’re looking for something to do while staying alongside Lake Atitlán.
Length: The hike usually takes around 6-8 hours round trip.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. The trail is steep and can be challenging, especially towards the summit.
Starting Point: The hike typically starts from the town of Santa María de Jesús, which is located just outside of Antigua Guatemala.
Agua Volcano is a prominent landmark near Antigua Guatemala, offering stunning views of the city and surrounding landscape from its summit. If you’re in the area, you can’t miss admiring this peak, so it’s definitely one of the best volcano hikes in Guatemala to tick off.
The hike takes you through thick forests and past ancient ruins, with the final ascent to the summit offering panoramic views of the region. You get to experience a great range of Guatemalan landscapes in this short hike, which makes it a top choice.
Although it can be done in half a day, we recommend going slow and soaking up the scenery.
Length: The hike usually takes around 7-9 hours round trip.
Difficulty: Moderate to strenuous. The trail is steep and can be challenging, especially towards the summit.
Starting Point: The hike typically starts from the town of Santiago Atitlán, which is located on the shores of Lake Atitlán.
Tolimán Volcano can be found along the shores of Lake Atitlán, offering stunning views of the lake and surrounding landscape.
It’s a pretty long hike to the top of this impressive volcano, so make sure you leave early and factor in a full day for it. But, when you get to the top, you’ll have a hard time finding a better place to appreciate Lake Atitlán.
As you’d expect from one of the best volcano hikes in Guatemala, the trail takes you through dense forests and past coffee plantations, with the final ascent to the summit offering some of the most rewarding views of the region.
Trying to choose the best volcano hike in Guatemala is no easy feat, as there are so many incredible volcanoes that you can climb in this country. Just make sure you choose the
best time to travel to Guatemala if you do want to hike, as climbing a volcano in the wet season may not be the magical experience you’d hope for.
If you’re coming to Guatemala to hike volcanoes, we recommend starting with a shorter hike (like Pacaya Volcano), and tackling a longer volcanic hike when you have a better understanding of the environment.
