[PHOTOS] 11 Hottest Volcano Hikes In The World That Would Be The Coolest To Visit

Mount Rinjani in Lombok is the second highest volcano in Indonesia at 3726 m. It is also among one of the most active volcanoes here. It ha a caldera of 50 km square with a crater lake in it called Segara Anak. Many pilgrims come yearly to this lake to make offerings to the gods and the lake.

When you think of Japan and volcanoes, Mount Fuji immediately comes to mind, but Mount Aso is equally impressive. With a caldera circumference of 120km, Mount Aso is Japan’s largest active volcano, and the main reason to head to the Kumamoto Prefecture on Kyushu Island. The nearby crater of Mount Nakadake offers a view of red-hot magma from its eastern observatory, while the best view of the volcanic area can be seen from the peak of Mount Kijimadake. Being a major tourist spot, the Mount Aso area offers several methods of transportation, including cable cars and well-made roads.

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Kawah Ijen is another popular mountain of Java after Mount Bromo. Many travelers continue to visit here after Mount Bromo and the experience is refreshingly new. Inside the crater you will see a magnificent turquoise sulphur lake that exudes flames, blue fire at night and smoky white in the day.You will also meet many sulphur collectors on your hike up and be shocked by the condition of their work consuming the harmful fumes all the time.

Standing over 2,300 metres tall, Mount Bromo may be the youngest volcano in the Tengger volcanic complex but it’s a daunting sight. At the top of the mount, visitors can get a grand view of Java’s tallest mountain, Mount Semeru, which regularly belches out large plumes of volcanic smoke every 20 minutes.

Despite its menacing activity and plumes of sulphurous smoke, Bromo is a popular tourist spot, with tour providers organizing jeep rides from the nearby village of Cemoro Lawang.

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In 1991, Mt Pinatubo erupted in what was the biggest volcanic explosion since Krakatoa’s in 1883. There was a silver lining to the natural disaster, however: A lovely green-blue crater lake formed in the aftermath of the eruption. You can admire the lake from up close, but it’s not advised that you swim in it.

The trek is relatively easy, with a 4X4 Jeep taking you halfway there, followed by a 5km trek over an easy ascent of about 300m to reach the Crater Lake.

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A guide to volcanoes wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Hawaii’s Mount Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Located within the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Kilauea is a contrast of rich and natural rain forests, set against a backdrop of destructive magma that regularly oozes out of the earth on a daily basis. Within the park, there are close to 150 miles of hiking trails, many of which have ranger-led programmes.

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This Icelandic volcano rose to worldwide notoriety when it spewed out a massive 9km-high ash plume in April 2010, causing 100,000 flights across Europe to be grounded during that time.

For all its fury, the still-active volcano remains an awesome testament to the dangerous and contrasting beauty of nature. The 12-hour journey requires you to navigate past tricky ice glaciers before reaching the 5,466-foot summit of the fiery cauldron. The view from up there is nothing short of spectacular.

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North America’s most iconic volcano Mt. St. Helens has a violent recent history, which makes the summit somewhat inaccessible. However the whole area that is open to climbers is rich in natural beauty. The Native Americans have a wealth of history and lore associated with the mountain ant the trip is worth it from the human perspective alone. Tour the various abandoned pioneer outpost, many of which have been preserved just as they were.

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Just 90 km north-west of San José in the province of Alajuela, lies the Arenal National Park with the Arenal volcano as its centrepiece. Dormant or hundreds of years the volcano erupted unexpectedly in 1968, destroying the small town of Tabacon. It is today one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is currently rumbling away and spewing ash and smoke.

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Sicily is known for its scenic views of the Mediterranean ocean, but it also houses Europe’s largest active volcano in Mount Etna. How active? Well, the latest eruption took place on 16 Nov, 2013. The volcano’s activity, however, has not deterred tour operators from organizing a variety of full-day or half-day tours around Mount Etna.

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Standing at 3,142m above sea level, the sacred Mount Agung is Bali’s highest mountain. The mountain is considered the island’s holiest – the magnificent sunrise is proof of that – and requires any trekker to be well-prepared for a challenging hike that can take up to 7 hours.

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