The volcanoes of León

Cerro Negro

It is Nicaragua’s youngest volcano: it was born in 1850 and has had several eruptions since then. It is located about twenty kilometers from León and is the most visited volcano in the area for two main reasons: the hike to the top is short, and once at the summit, visitors can descend on foot or by volcanic ash boarding down the slope.

The slope is black and without vegetation, so the sun hits directly and the wind can lift ash and sand. If you want to go down by board, you will need to carry it on your shoulder during the climb (although you can ask the guide if there is a possibility for someone to transport it). No special physical condition is required, but we recommend wearing hiking boots or closed shoes, bringing water, and having something to protect your face. We also recommend doing the hike wearing long pants.

Cerro Negro is a small but very active volcano. It is a Strombolian-type volcano and is classified as a cinder cone. During eruptions, it releases gases and ash several kilometers into the air, along with a limited amount of lava. Its last eruption occurred in 1999.

Due to the heat and sun exposure, we recommend visiting early in the morning (the preferred option) or in the afternoon. It is one of the most requested activities by families with teenagers and groups visiting León for a short stay.

It is also the volcano with the highest number of visitors. If you are looking for a quieter experience, consider Telica or El Hoyo. If you are looking for a greater challenge, consider San Nicolás or Momotombo.

Telica

Telica is active and has an open crater that sometimes shows incandescence at the bottom. That is why many trips go in the afternoon: you climb in daylight, wait for sunset at the top and come down at night with a torch.

The walk is longer than Cerro Negro's and the ground is soil and loose rock. If there are low clouds, the glow is not visible: nobody can guarantee it and be wary of anyone who does.

From the top you can see San Cristóbal, Nicaragua's highest volcano, at the end of the chain.

El Hoyo

El Hoyo is an extinct volcano, recognized from a distance by the large crater opening on its slope, a feature that gives it its name. It is the ideal option for those looking for a longer hike while still being on relatively accessible terrain.

You can hike up in the morning and descend in the afternoon; due to the altitude and wind, the summit area usually has a cooler climate. Another option is to climb in the afternoon and camp at the top to enjoy sunrise over Lake Xolotlán, with the sunlight illuminating the volcanic range to the north.

The experience we recommend at the hotel is the following: hike up in the afternoon, camp at the summit, enjoy sunrise with Lake Xolotlán and Momotombo Volcano in front of you, then descend and finish the adventure with a swim in Asososca Lagoon, a crater lake with cool water.

If you plan to camp, please check with reception before booking your night at the hotel: there is no point paying for a room you will not use.

Momotombo

It is the cone on every Nicaraguan postcard, on the shore of Lake Xolotlán, and the most demanding of the four. It stands next to the ruins of León Viejo, the original city founded in 1524 and abandoned in 1610.

Climbing it requires prior arrangement and an authorised guide, and access may be closed depending on volcanic activity. Do not plan it for your last day: if it falls through, there is no replacement.

If the aim is the view and not the summit, León Viejo gives the same postcard with two hours less walking, and it is half an hour away by car.

Which one to choose

It is the volcanic cone that appears in many postcards of Nicaragua, located on the shores of Lake Xolotlán, and it is the most challenging of the four volcanoes mentioned. It is located next to the ruins of León Viejo, the original city founded in 1524 and abandoned in 1610.

Climbing it requires good physical condition, not so much because of the altitude, but because of the sand and loose rocks during the final section before reaching the crater. The excursion must be arranged in advance and done with an authorized guide. Access may also be closed depending on the volcano’s activity.

We do not recommend planning this excursion for the last day of your trip: if you have a fall or encounter any difficulty, there will be no time to rearrange your plans.

If your main goal is to enjoy the view of Lake Xolotlán, the ruins of León Viejo offer a magnificent panorama without requiring a demanding hike, and they are located about 45 minutes from León by car.