You don’t have to be a geologist to appreciate the immense power and beauty of a volcano in Nicaragua. The incredibly fertile soil that surrounds these “creatures of the earth” helps create an incredibly beautiful home for many animals and plants. Add to this the gentle rumbling of the living, breathing volcano beneath your feet and the thrill of knowing you’re so close to one of earth’s most awesome natural powers – all of this combines to create one of the most amazing natural experiences that man can enjoy.
Nicaragua’s Volcanoes can be both fierce and tranquil – it all depends on when you visit.
Nicaragua has one of the most impressive volcanic chains in Central America. It features more than fifty volcanic cones of which seven are active. These cones rise off a flat coastal plain which is just above sea level – a geographical feature that makes them more striking to look at and more accessible to climbers and hikers. Of course, this would be a very long page if we were to write on all fifty volcanoes. Instead, we have chosen to list only a few of the more popular volcanoes. Below you will find a list and brief description of the top nine volcanoes in Nicaragua. Remember to check with authorities that the volcano is ‘safe’ before attempting to climb or hike to their summits.
Leon
Cerro Negro Volcano – Located in the middle of the Maribios Volcano Mountain Range, the small but incredibly active Cerro Negro continues to erupt with some ferocity. The volcano currently measures just 450 meters in height and is one of the newest volcanoes to emerge from beneath the earth in the Americas. Cerro Negro had eleven heavy eruptions in the 20th century, the last of which resulted in a further three craters opening up at its base. It is possible to hike up the black gravel-like sides of the volcano. The hike up the north face takes about one hour and after tackling that you might try to slide down the steep western face.
Telica Volcano – This spectacular volcano is situated in Leon in the central parts of the Maribios Volcano range. This volcano is roughly 1 061 meters above sea level and its western face is being constantly eroded. While the volcano last erupted in 1999, it still emits a light but constant smoke. There is a long but enjoyable hike up the east face of the summit that takes roughly 6-8 hours. There are three starting points and you can choose to make a round trip or continue on to the village of San Jacinto. The most spectacular thing to see at the summit is the vertical inner walls of the volcano’s crater.
Momotombo Volcano – Noted as one of Nicaragua’s most picturesque volcanoes, Momotombo is located on the southern tip of the Maribios Range. Its symmetrical cone rises to an elevation of 1 300 meters and it towers over the shores of Lake Managua. The volcano is still smoking and is listed as being active, but it has not seen an eruption since 1905. Besides long (2 days), beautiful hikes it features a geothermal plant at its base.
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