Our Sierra Negra Volcano Hike : A Must-Do Galapagos Tour

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We visited Isabela Island because I really wanted to hike the Sierra Negra Volcano; one of the few hikes on Galapagos which would see us walking around a volcanic caldera.

Read on and we’ll share all that you need to plan your own Sierra Negra tour, including what we saw, the trail conditions and our recommendations for the day.

Hiking The Sierra Negra Volcano

The Galapagos Islands are known for their unique and diverse landscapes, and one of the more fascinating places to explore is the Sierra Negra Volcano on Isabela. 

Stretching across a landscape that seems ancient but is surprisingly new, Sierra Negra is one of the most active volcanoes in the Galapagos, having last erupted in 2018.  This means that you get to hike on some of the most recent volcanic land which has helped shape these iconic islands.

At a height of 1,124 metres above sea level, Sierra Negra is one of the largest volcanoes in the Galapagos, and has the second largest volcanic caldera in the world with a staggering diameter of around 9 kilometres. 

On a clear day the views are said to be stunning but sadly for us we only caught fleeting glimpses of this vast lava field through the mist. Regardless of the weather this is an incredible experience and we have no regrets about our choice of hike.

Most tours will take you to the rim of the caldera and after, you continue on Volcano Chico; which for us was an incredible place to see and to walk around. I absolutely love the map image below of the trail; it clearly shows the caldera that you get to hike beside.

How difficult is the Sierra Negra Volcano Hike?

The hike is classified as moderate, but weather conditions can add to that difficulty. This isn’t technically difficult, but you will need some hiking experience or certainly a moderate level of fitness.

I would not class this as a beginners hike; unless you are in very good health and you have the appropriate hiking gear; remember that this is a 16-17 kilometre hike.

The weather was pretty bad when we hiked which meant wet weather gear and appropriate shoes were essential.  I can imagine walking in hot sun would be equally challenging as the route is very exposed with virtually no shade.

Initially the trail is easy, but with a gentle constant incline and it does change as you progress.  After a few kilometres of trail the terrain underfoot becomes more difficult.  You will be walking in and around old lava fields so do expect some uneven and rocky paths.

After so much rain on our walk, the trail was pretty muddy when returning to our vehicles.

How Long is the Hike to Sierra Negra Volcano?

The trail is roughly 8 kilometres long. You hike to Chico Volcano and back, making the full loop around 16 kilometres. 

Over the course of the day you’ll also gain around 340 metres of elevation.

How to Get to The Sierra Negra Volcano?

The starting point for the day tour is from the small town of Puerto Villamil.  If you’re staying on Isabela Island this is the largest settlement and most, if not all, of the accommodation is centred around this town.

Vehicles will collect you and drive you to the trail head to join your group tour.

Sierra Negra Volcano Hike Tours

You can only undertake this hike if you join a guided tour.  We felt this hike offered good value for money, especially considering the expert guides, transport and lunch.

There are numerous local tour companies offering this tour.  Most of them are pretty much providing exactly the same hike so we recommend that you choose the tour with the highest number of positive recommendations and the best price (which is what we did!)

The tour costs around 65€ each and this includes :

If you book the same tour as us you are also able to cancel up to 24 hours before or switch date; which we did because of the stormy weather.

Tours start in the morning so if you wish to do this hike you will need to spend at least one night on Isabela; which we do thoroughly recommend you do as part of your DIY island-hopping adventure.

Can You Hike The Sierra Negra Volcano Without A Guide?

A certified guide is mandatory for hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano due to the national park regulations.

I know we say this about all our tours but these knowledgeable individuals will share insights about the unique ecosystems and geological significance of Sierra Negra.  Our guide was a university graduate in Volcanology and was a native of the Galapagos Islands.

You do not need any other permits or permissions as all Galapagos tours are regulated and controlled.

What Equipment Do I Need For The Hike?

We knew that the weather would be poor so we packed accordingly.   I recommend taking a small easy to carry day-bag or rucksack for all your gear and your lunch.

Here’s a list of items we think you should take:

What to Expect Hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano

Typical itineraries will start in the morning with a pickup from your hotel.  You will probably be joined by 2 or 4 others and you’ll be driven about 45 minutes to the trailhead.  The truck that collected us also stopped in a local restaurant en-route to collect our lunch boxes.

Groups are no more than 15 people and every group walks with a guide.  You meet your guide at  El Cura, where the ‘taxi’ drops you.  There are toilets here and you may wait a short time as groups gather.

Once you’re assigned your guide you will walk first to the crater edge and then onwards to Chico, a second volcano.  Our group spread out over the trail and we naturally fell into smaller groups and chatted with our fellow travellers.

There are several groups walking each day but the trail never felt busy.  You can walk at your own pace but if you do linger you may miss some of the talks the guide offers.  However, you can ask questions at any time, so if you don’t hear something you can catch up later.

The groups are mixed ages and abilities and some folks will be faster and some slower.  We were somewhere in the middle and we never felt rushed or hurried.

The weather wasn’t great for our hike and we never really stopped for a proper break until much later in the day.  There were pauses for guide talks but we didn’t eat until much closer to the end of the hike.  Because of this I would recommend that you carry a snack and do ensure that you carry plenty of water.  We always hike with 2 litres; you’ll need this on a hot day.

The trail is ‘there and back’ but don’t let that put you off you because the landscape is so extraordinary that there is a lot to see. 

Do reserve some of your energy for the return journey as you do have a slow but steady increase in elevation.  Quite a few folks really started to feel heavy legs in the last hour of the day.

Overall do expect a hike; which is exactly what we wanted.  Do be prepared for changes in weather and some uneven terrain but also expect to be astounded.  As with all of our Galapagos island tours the landscape will be like nothing you’ve seen before.

What’s Included in a Sierra Negra Day Tour?

Every tour includes a qualified naturalist guide; make the most of these amazing guides! They really are the font of all things Galapagos.

Also included are all park entrance fees, transport to and from the trail head and your hotel and a packed lunch.

You will need to bring your own hiking equipment, snacks, and water.

Best Time to Hike the Sierra Negra Volcano

I’m not sure there is a best time.  Like all activities in Galapagos, better weather will make the activity easier. 

The dry season typically runs from June to December and the weather is said to be more stable during these days.  Clearer weather makes for a better  likelihood of clear views of the Caldera however we hiked at the beginning of June and had rain and mist. 

The weather is unpredictable.  But I will say that the poor weather did not make for a lesser experience; we still LOVED this hike.

Wildlife At Sierra Negra Volcano

Hiking the Sierra Negra Volcano is perfect for birdwatchers as it is home to Darwin’s finches, bright vermilion flycatcher, mockingbirds, and occasionally, if you’re lucky the Galapagos Gavilan.

But it’s fair to say that today is really much more about geology.

Can You Ride Horseback Along The Sierra Negra Trail?

You can do part of this trail on horseback and it is something that I enquired about.  You cannot do the entire trail on horseback but certainly you could reduce the hike by a few kilometres.

However, when I investigated this option, I read that not all companies offering this tour have the horses’ best interests at heart.  In the end we decided that we wanted to hike but if you are considering this option, please do a lot of research about the animal’s welfare before booking.

Is The Sierra Negra Volcano Active?

Yes, Sierra Negra is still very much an active shield volcano and one of the most challenging to predict due to its unique geology.

The last eruption started on June 26, 2018, and was a remarkable event that captivated the attention of observers, both local and abroad.

Fortunately, the Galapagos National Park system efficiently managed visitor safety during and after the event.

Is Hiking The Sierra Negra Volcano Worth it?

Absolutely!  Even though our weather was awful this trip more than lived up to our expectations.

Sierra Negra Volcano hike is not only an exhilarating experience and a great hike, it’s also a way to get up close and personal with the primal forces of our planet.

The otherworldly landscapes, the sense of adventure, and the unique flora and fauna make it an unforgettable encounter with nature.

You are led by an expert guide and we really felt that we had experienced something very special.  

Since our Sierra Negra hike, we have hiked volcanos in Iceland and on Java and the lessons we learned on Galapagos have helped us to understand the terrain we hiked elsewhere in the world.

If you are planning a visit to Isabela Island (which we recommend) and you love a good hike then book this tour.  It’s another memorable experience that we took away with us from these incredible, stunning Galapagos islands.

Are You Visiting The Galapagos Islands?

I have a series of posts that may be of interest to you and help with your Galapagos Island planning :