Laguna Verde Azufral

Azufral is a volcano reaching about 4,070 metres and its crater holds three lakes, of which Laguna Verde is the largest and the one people walk to - the colour, an opaque green, comes from sulphur and other minerals dissolved and suspended in the water from fumaroles around the crater, and it shifts in tone with light and conditions. The name azufral refers to the sulphur, which is mined in small quantities nearby and can be smelled. The walk in from the road crosses open paramo of frailejones for around six kilometres, largely flat until the descent into the crater, and is cold, wet and exposed. There is no shelter. The lake is regarded as sacred by communities in the area and swimming is discouraged.

Highlights

• An opaque green crater lake - coloured by dissolved sulphur.
• A crater with three lakes - Verde being the largest.
• A six-kilometre paramo walk - across frailejones to the rim.
• Fumaroles and a sulphur smell - around the crater.

When to go

December to March. A full day.

Before you go

Cloud fills the crater frequently and can remove the view entirely. The paramo is cold, wet and exposed with no shelter. Altitude affects visitors. Swimming is discouraged and the water is acidic.

Nearby

Tuquerres is north-east; Pasto is further east.