Voltzberg

Voltzberg is a granite inselberg standing some two hundred and forty metres out of unbroken rainforest in the Central Suriname Nature Reserve, a bare dome with nothing growing on most of it, reached on a walk of around three hours from Raleighvallen and then climbed up the sloping rock. From the top the forest runs to the horizon in every direction with no road, clearing or building anywhere in it.

Background

The mountain belongs to the Emma Range in the Sipaliwini District and takes its name from the German geologist Friedrich Voltz. It once formed a nature reserve together with the nearby Raleigh Falls, and in 1998 it was taken into the Central Suriname Nature Reserve. The inselberg rises steeply on three sides, which makes it look imposing, but its fourth side offers a far easier ascent than the neighbouring Van Stockumberg. Many monkeys live on the mountain, and bird watchers come for more than 400 species, among them the Guianan cock-of-the-rock. Voltzberg appears on the 20 Surinamese dollar banknote.

Source: Wikipedia, "Voltzberg"

What's there

• The bare dome - granite rising some two hundred and forty metres out of the forest.
• The climb - the walk up the sloping open rock to the summit.
• The canopy view - unbroken forest to the horizon on every side.
• The forest walk in - around three hours each way from the station.

When to go

The dry seasons, February to April and August to November, are best; wet rock is dangerous. Sunrise from the top is the reason most people go. Cloud sits on it after rain.

Good to know

The walk in is long and muddy and the rock is genuinely dangerous when wet. It has to be done with a guide from Raleighvallen. There is no shade at all on the dome.

Nearby

Raleighvallen is the base, and Tafelberg is south.

Key facts