Volcano hiking in Cerro Verde National Park

The drive to Cerro Verde skirts the shores of Lake Coatepeque, passing a classic El Salvadorian tableau of mountain ridges and volcanic cones. Arrive at Los Volcanos National Park to begin exploring the Cerro Verde volcano on foot as views of three volcanoes appear through gaps in the foliage of a dense and biodiverse cloud-forest.

Begin by following a trail that leads right inside the crater of Cerro Verde volcano, before continuing to neighbouring Izalco, once known as ‘the Lighthouse of the Pacific’ due to the continuous eruptions that made it an easily recognisable landmark for seafarers. Next we will trek through the clouds to the summit of Santa Ana volcano, the highest and largest of the coastal mountain range, before finishing at Coatepeque crater lake with an optional boat ride.