Sierra Negra Volcano

About this place

A huge shield volcano on Isabela, the largest of the Galápagos Islands, rising to about 1,124 metres with one of the widest volcanic calderas in the world, roughly nine kilometres long and seven wide. It is among the archipelago's most active volcanoes, last erupting in the summer of 2018. The trip starts from Puerto Villamil by vehicle into the highlands, then a walk along the caldera rim, where a vast black floor of frozen lava opens below you, sometimes with wisps of steam. Many continue to the fresh lava fields around Volcán Chico, with cones, tubes and red and yellow mineral colours. The highlands are green unlike the dry coast, and between June and November they are often wrapped in mist and drizzle, so the caldera can hide behind cloud. On the lava the trail is exposed and hot when the sky clears. The walk is long, roughly five to six hours, so carry plenty of water, a hat, sunscreen and sturdy shoes.