volcanoes Archives

The view from Mount Eden in Auckland, New Zealand.

Mount Eden, Auckland: Ticket prices, hours & volcanic cone visitor guide

When I first climbed Maungawhau — Mount Eden to most — what struck me wasn't the 360-degree views, though they're spectacular. It was the crater itself, that perfectly symmetrical bowl 50 metres deep, cordoned off and forbidden. Te Ipu Kai a Mataaho, the Food Bowl…

View of the obelisk on top of One Tree Hill, Auckland.

One Tree Hill, Auckland: Ticket prices, hours & visitor guide

The first time I climbed One Tree Hill in Auckland, New Zealand, as part of the Coast to Coast Walk, I was puzzled by the name. There's no tree at the summit, just an obelisk and a stump. That missing tree tells you a lot…

Snorkelling in the Silfra Fissure, Iceland.

8 bucket list activities to pack into your Iceland trip

What Iceland does best is natural experiences you’ll not encounter anywhere else in the world. And here are eight of the most extraordinary. Snorkel the Silfra Fissure Once you’re in the water – and its temperature is only a smidge above freezing point – you…

Climbing volcanoes in Guatemala – Pacaya and Chicabal

Two Guatemalan volcanoes – Volcan Pacaya and Volcan Chicabal – show off very different sides of the country. Booking a Guatemala volcano tour Head here for a guided climb of Volcan Pacaya and here for a trekking tour to Chicabal’s lake. To just enjoy the…

The view on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

Mt Doom, Emerald Lakes & the Red Crater on the Tongariro Alpine Crossing

On the North Island, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing is New Zealand’s best day walk – and you might recognise the volcanoes from Lord of the Rings. Walking the Tongariro Alpine Crossing The blackened, rough-sided rocks sprawled across the horizon make it pretty obvious that the…

The steps out of Vidgelmir, Iceland's lava cave.

Inside Vidgelmir – Iceland’s giant lava cave

In Iceland, tours head inside a giant tunnel cave carved out after a volcanic explosion. Darkness inside Vidgelmir “If you can see your hands in front of you, then I have bad news,” says the guide. “You are crazy.” We’re about 500 metres inside Vidgelmir,…

Crater San Fernando on Volcan Masaya, Nicaragua.

Exploring Volcan Masaya: A Top Managua Day Trip

Volcan Masaya offers thrilling day trips from Managua, showcasing its active craters and rich cultural history linked to Spanish colonists.