Trip to Gorely volcano

Vilyuchinsky Pass

Early in the morning we meet at the pick-up point in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, get into a car and hit the road. The drive to the start of the hiking route is about 3 hours, mostly surrounded by low Kamchatka forests.

On the way we will stop at interesting places. For example, at the Zayachiy spring you will be able to taste pure water with silver ions, and at the bridge over the Paratunka River you will be able to take a photo against the background of the Vilyuchinsky volcano. But the best view of it will open from the viewing point on the pass. We will just pass through it and stop at the top, at a kilometre height, to show you the panorama of the valley. Here you can have a good look at the slender Vilyuchinsky volcano and seven other Kamchatka peaks.

By 11am we will arrive at the foot of the volcano and have a briefing before starting the climb.

Ascent to Gorely Volcano

The guide will choose a comfortable rhythm for the group and we will start moving up to the craters of the volcano. The ascent is not difficult: Gorely has gentle slopes, so the height difference is not so acute here. The route smoothly leads to the top along the traces of lava flows, which formed a convenient road. On the way you will also come across kekuras - remnants of lava frozen in bizarre shapes. The trail mostly leads on rocks, but in some places it crosses dense snow cover.

After about three hours of climbing we will reach the summit, stop for a short break and start the tour. The guide will lead you along the edges of several interesting craters.

For example, the Blue Lake crater is the largest and most famous. Its diameter is almost half a kilometre and its depth is about 200 m. Photos of this particular crater are usually used as an illustration for articles about Burning Volcano. At the bottom of its bowl there is a recognisable acid lake of bright turquoise colour. In winter it is completely hidden under snow, and during summer the cover gradually thaws.

Next to the Blue Lake is the Active Crater - it is half the diameter (about 250 m), but it makes itself known by dense clouds of vapour and gas emissions that smell of sulphur. There is also a lake at the bottom of this crater, but due to the activity of fumaroles, it is harder to see it.

We will have time to walk above the craters and take panoramic photos. In good weather, the top of Gorely Volcano offers a picturesque high-altitude view of the Kamchatka landscapes.

Return to the city

After the trip we will have a snack at the top of the volcano and then start our descent. By about 19 o'clock we will be already at the bottom, we will get into transport and go to Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. We will arrive in the city around 22 hours.