In the north-west of the state of Chiapas rises one of the most unusual and underrated volcanoes in Mexico — Chichonal. This relatively low volcano with a height of only 1260 meters is known not for its size, but for its destructive power: its eruption in 1982 was one of the most powerful in the modern history of Mexico and influenced the climate of the entire planet.
From March 28 to April 4, 1982, Chichonal experienced a series of eruptions, culminating on April 2-3. The volcano ejected ash columns up to 32 kilometers high, and pyroclastic flows spread over a distance of up to 8 kilometers, destroying everything in its path. About 7 million tons of sulfur dioxide were released into the atmosphere, and the total volume of magma and rock was approximately 1.1 cubic kilometers. The resulting cloud circled the Earth several times and caused global temperatures to drop by about 0.5°C. This was one of the first such phenomena recorded from satellites.
Today Cichonal looks completely different. Instead of destruction, it offers tourists one of the most unusual natural landscapes in Mexico. A huge crater with a diameter of about 1 kilometer and a depth of up to 200 meters has turned into a surreal valley, at the bottom of which there is a sulfur lake with greenish water. Clouds of steam rise from its surface, and there is a constant smell of sulfur in the air, reminiscent of the fact that the volcano remains active.
You can get here through the small settlements of Francisco León and Chapultenango. The main travel route begins from the latter. The climb to the crater takes on average about 3 hours and is considered moderately difficult. The trail passes through pastures, sugarcane plantations and dense thickets of ferns, creating the feeling of being in a lost world from the movie — it's incredibly beautiful! Entrance to the territory is paid, usually 30 pesos, and the same amount is charged when crossing the lands of the community that maintains the route.
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The climb itself gradually leads to the edge of the crater, from where a panoramic view of the caldera formed after the 1982 eruption opens. Descent into the crater — the most impressive stage. Here you can see fumaroles — from holes that release hot gases, areas of boiling mud, and unstable soil where temperatures can be very high. In some places it is allowed to approach the water and even enter the lake, but this is done entirely at your own peril and risk due to possible gas emissions and unstable soil.
Despite the harsh requirements, Chichonal is becoming an increasingly popular destination among lovers of trekking and unusual natural phenomena. This place is not about a comfortable beach vacation, but about the feeling of the real power of nature: here you can literally walk in the footsteps of one of the largest eruptions of the 20th century, see a living volcano from the inside and find yourself in a landscape that is more reminiscent of another planet than the usual Mexico.
At the same time, local residents strongly recommend that you go to the crater with a guide or with a cane to check the stability of the ground. The volcano continues to «breathe», and its beauty is directly related to the risk— this is what makes Cichonal one of the most exciting and underrated places in the country.