GUNUNG · Ethiopia

Erta Ale

ʿIrtā ʿAlī (Afar: 'gunung berasap')

Information

Elevation: 613 m
Country: Ethiopia (ET)
Location / Range: Danakil Depression (Afar Triangle), Afar Region, northeastern Ethiopia
Mountain type: Active shield volcano (persistent lava lake)
Volcanic?: Yes — volcano
Coordinates: 13.6000, 40.6700
Difficulty: Logistically challenging (extreme heat, long distance, mandatory escort); non-technical trek to the crater
Best Season: November–March (cooler temperatures; avoid the April–August rainy season)
Permits & Rules: Mandatory Afar regional permit + armed escort from local authorities; only via a registered official Ethiopian tour operator
Hazards: Daytime temperatures >40°C, SO₂/CO₂ gas at the crater rim, unstable lava ground, security risk (always check the latest travel advisory), no water on site

Description

Erta Ale (613 m) is an active shield volcano at the heart of the Danakil Depression, Afar Region of northeastern Ethiopia — one of the most extreme and lowest environments on Earth. The name Erta Ale means 'smoking mountain' in the Afar language. Its legendary status in volcanology comes not from its height but from a persistent lava lake — one of a very small number on Earth — which has been continuously active in the northern pit crater of its caldera for over a century. The journey typically starts from Ahmed Ela or Dodom, crossing the Danakil salt flats by 4WD, then doing a night trek of roughly 6–8 km to the crater rim to avoid the lethal daytime heat. In darkness, visitors watch the lava lake glow red — a scene often called the 'Gateway to Hell'. Following a security incident in 2012 that killed tourists, all ascents now require local guides and armed escorts arranged through Afar authorities.

Gallery

Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.

Routes

Trek Malam Dodom ke Kawah Utara (jalur standar)

Menantang — logistik ekstrem (panas, jarak, escort); medan lava non-teknis

±6–8 jam total (trek malam ±3–4 jam ke kawah, bermalam, turun ±2–3 jam)

The single official route starts from a base camp near Dodom or Ahmed Ela villages (around 450–500 m elevation), reached by 4WD across the Danakil salt flats. The trek is done in the middle of the night to avoid lethal daytime heat. Hikers walk across pahoehoe lava flows and rough basalt for roughly 6–8 km to the caldera rim. At the northern pit crater at approximately 613 m elevation, the persistent lava lake can be seen glowing red in the darkness. After overnighting at the crater rim, descent is before or at dawn. All trekking requires local guides and armed escort throughout.

Route Segments

1

Ahmed Ela / Dodom → Base Camp (kendaraan 4WD)

⏱ ±2–3 jam berkendaraan 460 mdpl

Melewati hamparan garam Danakil; tidak ada trek berjalan kaki
2

Base Camp → Tepi Kaldera (trek malam)

↔ 7 km ↑ 150 m ⏱ ±3–4 jam 613 mdpl

Trek di atas lava pahoehoe; dilakukan setelah tengah malam; wajib senter kepala

Source

Climbing Experiences

A journey to Erta Ale is no ordinary trek — it is an expedition to one of Earth's most extreme corners. From the staging towns of Dodom or Ahmed Ela, 4WD vehicles cross the Danakil salt flats before a first camp. A night trek of roughly 6–10 km over pahoehoe lava flows and sharp basalt leads to the crater rim, with many groups using camels to carry gear. In the dark, trekkers stare into a persistent lava lake churning red-orange below — often called the 'Gateway to Hell'. The descent is made the next morning before midday heat makes the terrain lethal. Armed escort and local guides are mandatory given the location near the Eritrean border.

References

The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.