Hike to the volcanoes in the “Kamchatka Volcanoes” Nature Park

Kamchatka is a land of volcanoes. The fire-breathing mountains constantly remind us of their presence, attracting tourists from all over the world. Six areas of the peninsula are recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Most of the tourist-accessible sites are located within the “Kamchatka Volcanoes” Nature Park. Here, there are 20 winter and 27 summer hiking trails. You can choose a one-day hike for a quick exploration. For hiking enthusiasts, there are multi-day and even week-long routes. If you’re short on time, head to the Avachinsky volcano. The ascent and descent will take a day, and it’s suitable for tourists with average fitness levels. The reward for those who reach the summit is a fantastic view of the surrounding mountains, Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, and the ocean. Another option for a relatively easy ascent is the Gorely volcano: it is elongated and not very high. A hike to the Mutnovsky volcano, one of the most active on Kamchatka, takes about three hours. It has four craters, each up to two kilometers in diameter. The largest and most beautiful crater is located at 1600 meters above sea level. This is just above the middle of the slope, so reaching the summit is not mandatory. You can restore your strength at the foot of the Skalistaya Sopka in the hot springs of the Small Geyser Valley. The most famous volcano in Kamchatka is the Klyuchevskaya Sopka. It is only about seven thousand years old — a young age for a volcano. It is growing with each eruption and is now the highest active volcano in Eurasia. Reaching the summit requires serious preparation: the ascent is sometimes too difficult even for experienced climbers. For a classic climb, the nearby Bezymianny volcano is a great choice: it’s lower, and from its slopes, you can see Klyuchevskaya Sopka and the other 12 “brother” volcanoes of the Klyuchevskaya group. To the south of the peninsula, the Bakening volcano is popular. It’s loved for its stunning views. Below the slopes, there are six mountain lakes, and their crystal-clear water reflects the mountain like a mirror — incredibly beautiful! The path to the volcano runs through the Timonovskoye Nature Reserve. The Koryaksky volcano is a mecca for mountaineers. Its steep slopes attract hundreds of extreme sports enthusiasts, but without special equipment, it’s impossible to conquer. The most mysterious of Kamchatka’s volcanoes is Plosky Tolbachik, whose slopes resemble scenes from a science fiction movie. Soviet lunar rovers were tested here. Recently, scientists developed a lunar soil simulator from the ash of Tolbachik. The last eruption of Tolbachik was in 2012. To go hiking in the territories of the “Kamchatka Volcanoes” Nature Park, you need to obtain a permit. This is required for all areas except for the Avachinsky Pass, which is open to the public. Permits can be obtained in several ways: At the office of the “Kamchatka Volcanoes” Nature Park in Yelizovo, or remotely by email: visit@park-vulcany.ru; At the Tourist Information Center (TIC) of the “Bystrinsky” Nature Park in the village of Esso; On the portal gosuslugi41.ru; In the “Green Button” mobile app.

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