- Last Updated: March 29, 2024
Hiking in the Galapagos is a dream for many who wish to witness endemic wildlife and unique volcanic landscapes next to paradisiac beaches.
For avid hikers seeking a challenge, I’ve compiled the top 6 hikes on the archipelago. Excluding short strolls from tours, this guide is for those who want to test themselves and reach unforgettable summits and viewpoints.
Considering this, I have included a beach hike in San Cristobal, a highlands hike in Santa Cruz, and four on Isabela, which is undoubtedly the best island for hiking – two in the highlands and two volcanic hikes.
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HIKING IN GALAPAGOS
GENERAL INFO
Planning a trip to the Galapagos? Here are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Most activities require a guided tour with a naturalist guide.
- Tour prices are standardized across agencies, but you may be able to negotiate if booking multiple tours.
- Many beaches have specific opening and closing times for turtle nesting reasons.
- Book your tours in advance to secure a spot on the best ones.
- Don’t forget seasickness medication for water-based tours.
- Apply strong sunscreen, as the equatorial sun can be intense.
- Pack mosquito repellent, especially at sunset when horseflies are active.
- Drone use is strictly regulated and requires a special permit from the National Park.
- Rentals for cars, motorcycles, and other vehicles are not available – transportation must be by taxi, bus, boat, bicycle, or on foot.
- Respect the wildlife by avoiding physical contact and touching the animals.
HIKING IN GALAPAGOS
SAN CRISTOBAL ISLAND
1. HIKE TO PLAYA BAQUERIZO BEACH
The Playa Baquerizo beach hike is the sole free hike on the island that doesn’t require a tour. Although you can trek to another beach beyond it, I think this trail is sufficient for an average hiker, especially in hot weather.
This beach is a beautiful, lengthy stretch of white sand that’s a bit hard to get to, so there are few people around. It’s an excellent spot for snorkeling, and I saw turtles, many fish, and a white-tip reef shark in the water. Marine iguanas can also be found on the sand and in the water.
View the full blog post here: CERRO TIJERETAS AND PLAYA BAQUERIZO HIKE
Also, if you’re interested in beaches: BEST 5 BEACHES IN SAN CRISTOBAL
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HIKING IN GALAPAGOS
SANTA CRUZ ISLAND
2. HIKE TO MEDIA LUNA, PUNTUDO AND CERRO CROOKER HILL
This is probably the only proper wild hike on Santa Cruz island that doesn’t necessitate a tour.
To start your hike, take a taxi to Bellavista, which is located a short distance from Puerto Ayora. The hike to Cerro Crooker hill’s base is a challenging 8 km trek that takes approximately 3 hours each way.
Along the way, you will be rewarded with stunning views of the island’s volcanic hills and its lush miconia vegetation. Be sure to keep to the trail, as straying from it can disturb bird nests and lead to getting lost. Don’t miss the opportunity to spot the Galapagos Petrel, which nests on these mountains.
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HIKING IN GALAPAGOS
ISABELA ISLAND
3. HIKE TO THE WALL OF TEARS
The Wall of Tears on Isabela Island is a controversial attraction. It is a stone wall built between 1946 and 1959 by inmates of the former Isabela Penitentiary Colony. Here hundreds of prisoners were forced to work under extreme circumstances. They built this wall for no other purpose than to be punished. While enduring this hardship many people died.
Although it’s a hard place to visit, due to its history, the landscape surrounding it is particularly beautiful. Definitely, a place to visit. If you like hikes and views this is where to go, from here you can go onto the “El Radar” viewpoint and have a beautiful view of Isabela beachfront.
View the full blog post here: WALL OF TEARS IN ISABELA
To rent a bike: Check any of the many local bike shops in Puerto Villamil.
4. EL RADAR VIEWPOINT HIKE
The El Radar Viewpoint hike in Isabela Island is a short but beautiful hike you can do after arriving at the Wall of Tears.
The Wall of Tears is a stone wall built between 1946 and 1959 by inmates of the former Isabela Penitentiary Colony. Here hundreds of prisoners were forced to work under extreme circumstances. They built this wall for no other purpose than to be punished. While enduring this hardship many people died.
On your way to El Radar Viewpoint, there are other beautiful viewpoints like the Wall of Tear’s viewpoint, some meters after the wall.
From all of them, you can have a beautiful view of Isabela island’s beachfront and its green landscape.
View the full blog post here: EL RADAR VIEWPOINT HIKE
5. SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO HIKE (TOUR)
The Sierra Negra Volcano Tour is the best volcano hike you can do in the Galápagos and one of the best tours in Isabela island. For a land-based experience, this is definitely on my top 5 Galapagos Islands tours list.
You will walk on the rim of the massive Sierra Negra volcano’s caldera, whose last eruption happened just in 2018, and visit the Chico Volcano, a little offspring of Sierra Negra with a view to the Northwestern part of Isabela Island.
This tour has to be done with a Naturalist guide from the Galápagos National Park. You can book a tour with an agency and they hire the guide. You can’t simply hike your way up, unfortunately.
Along the hike, the landscape changes at least three times. From foggy and green, to dry and orange, and then to red and black. At the last stage, everything around you looks like an apocalypse. It’s an impressive and desolate place created by the destructive force of nature.
View the full blog post here: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO TOUR
To book this tour: Check the local company Coral Blanco Tour Operator (click on the icons), or book it online on Viator with any of the tours underneath:
6. SIERRA NEGRA SULFUR MINES HIKE (TOUR)
This one is among the most epic tours in Isabela I, unfortunately, didn’t have time to do but it looks absolutely stunning. Instead of seeing the volcano from a viewpoint with its red and black surfaces of lava, you get to see and smell a vivid yellow sulfur mine with constant smoke coming out of it.
It is an amazing alternative to do if you’ve already seen the volcano from the top. When I go back to Isabela this is for sure the first tour I will do. It must be incredible. And very smelly Ahah.
If you want to do the Sierra Negra Volcano tour I’ll leave you the link down below.
View the full blog post here: SIERRA NEGRA VOLCANO TOUR
To book this tour: Check the local company Coral Blanco Tour Operator (click on the icons)
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ALL THE ARTICLES ABOUT THE GALAPAGOS
San Cristobal Island – The easternmost island of the Galapagos, the “Isla Bonita”
Santa Cruz Island – The island with the best tourism infrastructure.
Isabela Island – The most adventurous and less explored island of the main three.
