Region
La Paz Centro

Category
Nature

Type
Volcanoes

Difficulty

Quetzaltrekkers
De la iglesia de la Recolección,
1½ cuadra al este
Frente Union Fenosa
León
Tel: (505) 311 66 95
Website
E-mail

Print Page

Tell a Friend

As you head towards León from Managua it is impossible to miss the perfectly shaped cone of the Momotombo Volcano as it towers 1,258 meters above sea level on the northern side of Lake Managua.

The Momotombo Volcano took a permanent place in Nicaraguan history in 1609 when a violent eruption made the inhabitants of the old colonial city of León (León Viejo) decide to move their city away from the foot of the volcano. The city of León has been rebuilt some 30 kilometers westward, but Momotombo still continues to threaten smaller settlements located around its immediate perimeter.

Although its most recent eruption was in 1905, volcanic activity at Momotombo has been measured as recently as April 2000. As the temperatures of certain parts of the volcano continually exceed 500°C a geothermal plant has been created at the base of the volcano, producing energy from the volcano’s heat.

Climbing the Momotombo is a challenging task. The first step is obtaining a permit from the company that runs the geothermal plant as the plant also serves as the staging area for the beginning of the hike. Due to the fact that this it is a classic cone shaped volcano, the trails and paths that lead up to the summit are oftentimes very steep. Volcanic sand and rocks coat most of the upper portion of the volcano so good physical shape is necessary to navigate these difficult surfaces.

It is difficult to ascend and descend within one day as the round trip can be from 8 to 10 hours so climbers are advised to spend the night near the summit. However, be warned: it is often very windy at the campsite and it can be very cold so come prepared with a sweater and a sleeping bag.

This all being said, all these hardships that may be faced climbing Momotombo yield some very substantial rewards. Views are magnificent from the volcano, as you have a great view of the crater itself, the neighboring volcanoes, the Pacific Ocean, the city of León, and on a clear day you can even see as far as the Masaya Volcano and Ometepe Island. The Momotombo is not a volcano suitable for everybody, but if you are up to it, the Momotombo offers a great challenge and an unparalleled climb that is definitely worth the effort.