There’s a primal thrill to climbing a volcano: the crunch of volcanic scree underfoot, the scent of sulphur in the air and the knowledge that the landscape beneath you still breathes. Some routes, such as the lava-scarred slopes of Mount Etna in Italy and the rainforest- fringed trails of Kilauea in Hawai‘i, are relatively accessible. Others — including Ecuador’s Cotopaxi and Africa’s iconic Kilimanjaro — require endurance, altitude preparation and careful planning, but reward adventurers with unforgettable summit views. Here are six of the best
WORDS: EMI LY BROWN
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC TRAVELLER – LAKES & MOUNTAINS COLLECTION 23