Volcán de Quetzaltepeque

Central & Eastern Guatemala

About 10km east of the village of Quetzaltepeque, this volcano tops out at 1900m. The walk to the top is tough going – through thick subtropical pine forest, with the trail disappearing in sections. But if you have a car, you can drive almost all the way to the top. From the summit there are excellent views of the nearby Ipala and Suchítan volcanoes and the surrounding countryside.

Due to the condition of the trail and some security concerns, you really need a guide to undertake this trek. Ask in the Quetzaltepeque municipalidad on the main plaza to be put in touch with a local guide.

Suggest an edit to this attraction

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Copán Archaeological Site Ruins
22.09 MILES
One of the most important of all Maya civilizations lived, prospered, then mysteriously crumbled around the Copán archaeological ruins, a Unesco World…
La Semilla de Dios
27.82 MILES
Local cooperative La Semilla de Dios, founded in 1977 by Fernando Llort, crafts quality products in workshops behind the store. If you ask permission you…
Museo de Escultura
21.82 MILES
Copán is unique in the Maya world for its sculptures and some of the finest examples are on display at this impressive museum, which is fully signed in…
Tea & Chocolate Place
21.2 MILES
This charming place is a research center that doubles as a tea and gift shop every afternoon to support the important reforestation work carried out by…
Parque Nacional Montecristo
18.13 MILES
The cloud forest–cloaked mountains of Parque Nacional Montecristo are home to abundant flora and fauna that make it a magnet for nature lovers and…
Basílica de Esquipulas
7.17 MILES
A massive structure that has resisted the power of earthquakes for almost 250 years, the basilica is approached through a pretty park and up a wide flight…
Macaw Mountain Bird Park
22.1 MILES
Around 2.5km outside Copán Ruinas is an extensive private reserve aimed at saving Central American macaws. There are plenty of them here, along with…
Volcán de Ipala
16.68 MILES
The 1650m Volcán de Ipala is notable for its especially beautiful clear crater-lake measuring nearly 1km around and nestled below the summit at 1493m. The…

View more attractions

Nearby Central & Eastern Guatemala attractions

1. Basílica de Esquipulas

7.17 MILES

A massive structure that has resisted the power of earthquakes for almost 250 years, the basilica is approached through a pretty park and up a wide flight…

2. Centro Turístico Cueva de las Minas

7.65 MILES

This has a 50m-deep cave (bring your own light), grassy picnic areas and the Río El Milagro, where people come for a dip and say it's miraculous. The cave…

3. Reserva Ecologica El Limo

16.56 MILES

Fourteen kilometers north of Metapán is the lush Reserva Ecologica El Limo, home to incredible cascadas (waterfalls). Drivers near the turnoff to Frontera…

4. Volcán de Ipala

16.68 MILES

The 1650m Volcán de Ipala is notable for its especially beautiful clear crater-lake measuring nearly 1km around and nestled below the summit at 1493m. The…

5. Parque Nacional Montecristo

18.13 MILES

The cloud forest–cloaked mountains of Parque Nacional Montecristo are home to abundant flora and fauna that make it a magnet for nature lovers and…

6. Jardín de los Cien Años

18.14 MILES

At Los Planes, this enchanting garden has more than 70 species of orchid as well as towering oaks and other plants, many of which are labeled. Don't miss…

7. Hacienda San Jose

19.77 MILES

Near the park entrance, a charming hacienda with pretty gardens holds a small interpretative center with displays on the park's flora and fauna, including…

8. Tea & Chocolate Place

21.2 MILES

This charming place is a research center that doubles as a tea and gift shop every afternoon to support the important reforestation work carried out by…

View more attractions