10 Volcanoes to Hike in El Salvador
If you enjoy hiking, you must check out El Salvador and its mesmerizing volcanoes. This country has many large peaks, beautiful nature, an ideal tectonic setting, and even a few active volcanoes to hike.
El Salvador is located along a subduction zone on the Pacific Ocean. Molten rock from underwater finds its way to the surface through a line of volcanoes 20 miles (32.18 kilometers) inland from the Pacific Ocean.
How many volcanoes are there in El Salvador? This tiny country boasts 20 volcanoes. Because El Salvador is so small, you can see one from any of the others.
El Salvador is home to major peaks to hike and enjoy the unforgettable views. Read on to learn more about these phenomenal landforms.
10 Volcanoes to Hike in El Salvador
All of these volcanoes offer a different experience. Check out these amazing volcanoes in El Salvador to hike as soon as you can!
See also: Why El Salvador Is the Perfect Travel Destination (And What to Do While You’re There)
1. Santa Ana or Ilamatepec Volcano
Region: Southwestern El Salvador
The Santa Ana Volcano is one of the most active and tallest volcanoes in El Salvador.
It’s also fairly easy to hike, making it a popular tourist spot. If you’re going with family, this is the volcano for you.
Santa Ana is in the lovely Cerro Verde National Park. The hike from the base to the top takes about an hour. Once you reach the summit, you’ll get to enjoy the incredible view from the top. From there, you can see the Izalco Volcano, the Pacific Ocean, and Lake Coatepeque. There’s also a stunning lagoon inside the crater that’s worth the climb.
2. Izalco Volcano
Region: Western El Salvador
Izalco Volcano is also known as el Faro del Pacífico (the Lighthouse of the Pacific) because ships at sea in the 1700s could see the lava erupting at night, and it looked like a lighthouse.
Like Santa Ana, it’s located in the Cerro Verde National Park. This volcano is a challenging hike! If you’re up for it, Izalco is divided into 4 stages that start at the national park entrance. The way down can be challenging since you have to go down about 1,500 steps through heavy forested areas.
If you go during the rainy season, it’s even harder. If you’re up for it, adventurers say it’s worth the effort.
3. San Salvador Volcano
Region: Northwest to the city of San Salvador
If you’re looking for volcanoes in El Salvador that are close to the capital, this volcano is the best.
You don’t have to venture out too far from the city of San Salvador to El Boqueron National Park, where you’ll find this gem.
This volcano is also known as Quetzaltepec. It’s ideal for all kinds of visitors because it’s easy to hike and the trails are clearly marked and well-kept.
Choose from trails that take you to different viewpoints. See the crater El Boquerón or choose to go to a smaller crater called El Boqueroncito.
4. Usulután Volcano
Region: East-Central El Salvador
Usulután is a stratovolcano volcano between San Vicente and San Miguel volcanoes. It has a 0.80 mile (1.3 km) crater on the east part of the volcano that you won’t want to miss!
The flanks of Usulután are strongly eroded, which means that it’s gone through a long repose period. But young lava flows are on the southern flanks of the volcano. These are less than 10,000 years old and interesting to observe when you’re there. One of the most famous flanks is Cerro Nazal on the lower part of the volcano.
5. Chaparrastique Volcano
Region: Eastern El Salvador
Chaparrastique Volcano of San Miguel is a massive stratovolcano that’s visible from various lookout points in San Miguel. If you like to venture into the wild, Chaparrastique is for you!
It’s not protected by any national park and has no official trails, but experienced hikers enjoy exploring this massive volcano.
If you choose this volcano hike, I recommend hiring a local tour guide. Keep in mind that this is one of the most active volcanoes in El Salvador. It’s an adventure for brave explorers who love to hike volcanoes in El Salvador.
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6. Cerro Cinotepeque Volcano
Region: Western El Salvador
Cerro Cinotepeque Volcano is actually a small group of young cones found on different sides of Rio Lempa close to San Salvador.
Cinotepeque Volcano is located south of the river and Cerro Santiago and Cerro Mosquito are to the north of the river. The fourth cone is along Río Gualchayo on the northern part of the cerro (hill).
This volcanic field is full of small pleistocene stratovolcanoes located on the west and south part of Cerro Cinotepeque. To check out several volcanoes at once, this area is perfect.
7. Conchagua Volcano
Region: Southeastern El Salvador
Conchagua Volcano is a stratovolcano close to La Union that overlooks the Gulf of Fonseca.
This one of the volcanoes in El Salvador that’s surrounded by dense vegetation. Multiple trails exist for you to venture on and enjoy the local fauna and flora. Go camping in the area and enjoy the stunning view. There’s also La Union beaches nearby.
This volcano hike is far from any city, so you will feel far away from civilization. There’s plenty of natural beauty to enjoy on this volcano hike.
8. Cerro Verde Volcano
Region: Western El Salvador
Cerro Verde is another volcano hike in a national park. It’s inactive and super easy to explore and hike up. Cerro Verde (green hill) is full of vegetation and ideal for nature lovers looking to disconnect.
Many travelers see Cerro Verde Volcano as a stepping stone to get to Santa Ana or Izalco. This one is a fairly easy hike to help you train for the more challenging volcano hikes.
9. Guazapa Volcano
Region: North-east of San Salvador
Guazapa Volcano is one of the most important volcanoes in El Salvador. Guazapa was a key location during the Salvadoran civil war in the 80s.
This volcano hike features easy trails, trenches, encampments, and even cemeteries because of the civil war that took place during the guerra civil (civil war) in El Salvador. The hike itself isn’t difficult but the historical experience is one of a kind.
Many travelers enjoy going to Guazapa volcano because it’s a great way to explore the colonial town of Suchitoto and have the best of both worlds. Enjoy your time in nature and learn about El Salvador’s fascinating history.
10. Chinameca Volcano
Region: Eastern El Salvador
Chinameca or El Pacayal Volcano is located close to the small town of Chinameca. Chinameca’s volcano summit has a caldera (kettle) known as Laguna Seca (dry lagoon).
Chinameca is a tiny stratovolcano close to San Miguel volcano. It actually connects to San Miguel on the South Eastern part of the volcano. Coffee plantations cover most of the land iround the volcano.
| © NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center/Flickr
Speak the Language of El Salvador
El Salvador is worth the visit, not only to explore these magnificent volcanoes, but also practice your Spanish speaking skills with the locals! Traveling to El Salvador isn’t complete unless you visit a volcano!
It’s ideal to immerse yourself completely in the Spanish language when you travel to Latin America or Spain and prepare yourself as much as you can. Spanish continues to grow in the U.S. Approximately 53 million people speak Spanish in the U.S. alone!
Sign up for a free trial class before your trip to El Salvador to engage in conversation with our friendly, certified teachers at Homeschool Spanish Academy. Students of all levels are welcome, including total beginners. Check out our programs, prices, and testimonials and start today!
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