Europe's most beautiful volcanoes: 6 natural wonders worth exploring next

Imagine traveling to places where the earth breathes with flames. We are talking about majestic giants that attract not only with their spectacular eruptions but also with the incredible beauty of the surrounding landscapes - volcanoes. To know where to enjoy some extreme conditions, read on.

Etna, Italy

Etna is located on the east coast of Sicily. It is considered the highest active volcano in Europe - from 3,326 to 3,357 meters above sea level. The giant is about 350,000 years old.

Its longest eruption took place In 1614, lasting a decade. The last eruption occurred in August 2024. At that time, the lava fountain reached a height of more than 9.5 kilometers.

The most popular tourist route from is from Catania to Mount Etna, which lasts about four hours. The journey begins with a trip to the town of Giarre, from where travelers climb to a plateau (2,000). The climb offers picturesque views of the Sicilian Sea and villages. You can also take a funicular to the crater of the Mountain of Fire (3,000).

Hekla, Iceland

It is located at an altitude of 1,491 meters above sea level. It is considered the most famous in the country. The last eruption took place in February 2000.

For centuries, the volcano was considered the entrance to hell, where the souls of sinners were tormented.

The first to climb Hekla were the explorers Eggert Ólafsson and Bjarni Pálsson in 1750. They chose to climb the northern and northwestern parts of the mountain.

Travelers come here all year round: in the summer they camp here, and in the spring they go skiing. In winter, you can climb to the top with the help of special snowmobiles.

Vesuvius, Italy

It is located in the south of the country near Naples. It is considered one of the most dangerous in the world. The height of the volcano reaches 1,277 meters above sea level.

Its eruption in 79 AD was a catastrophe of ancient times. The fiery mountain destroyed the Roman cities of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabia.

High temperatures of water vapor and gases (up to 400°C) are sometimes observed in the crater of Vesuvius and on fresh orange flows. As a result of the weathering of lava and tuff, the area became famous for its fertile soil. Lower down on the slopes are orchards and vineyards, and higher up are pine forests.

The foot of the peak is surrounded by a national park, where nine hiking trails are laid out among the exotic vegetation.

Teide, Spain

It is located on the island of Tenerife in the national park of the same name. The volcano is considered the third highest in the world. Its age is about 5 million years.

Its first known eruption took place in 1492, the same year Christopher Columbus visited the island.

A passenger cable car, the highest in Spain, was built in 1971. The lower station is located at an altitude of 2,356 meters, the upper one - 3,555 meters. The ascent time is about 8 minutes.

The La Rambleta observation deck was built at the top, and several walking routes were laid.

Eyjafjallajökull, Iceland

It is located in the south of the country. The upper part of the fiery mountain is covered with a layer of ice up to 200 meters thick.

After a powerful eruption in 2010, the volcano became one of the most popular tourist destinations in Iceland. Every day, dozens of tourists travel by jeep and bus to the eruption site to see the effects of a powerful natural force with their own eyes.

Beerenberg, Norway

Beerenberg is located in the northeastern part of the Norwegian Jan Mayen. The volcano consists mainly of frozen basaltic lava flows with a small admixture of tephra. Its last eruptions occurred in 1970 and 1985.

The natural center is famous among extreme sportsmen and Arctic explorers. Unique landscapes attract photographers, and the island itself is an important object for climate research.

Explore the effects of eruptions and plunge into the world of geological wonders!

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