GUNUNG · Indonesia
Gunung Lokon
Source
Photo: source
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Source: Open-Meteo
Information
- Elevation
- 1.580 m
- Country
- Indonesia (ID)
- Location / Range
- Minahasa Peninsula, Sangihe volcanic arc, North Sulawesi
- Mountain type
- Active stratovolcano
- Volcanic?
- Yes — volcano
- Coordinates
- 1.3580, 124.7920
- Difficulty
- Moderate–Difficult — the route to the crater crosses loose rock and steep climbs; check the volcanic activity status before climbing
- Best Season
- May–October (dry season); you must check PVMBG activity status before departure
- Permits & Rules
- No formal permit; climbers are asked to report to the ranger post. A 2.5 km exclusion zone from the Tompaluan Crater applies at Alert (Level II) status and above
- Hazards
- Active volcano with risk of phreatic eruption; dangerous volcanic gas from the Tompaluan Crater; loose rock on the descent; activity status can change at any time
Description
Mount Lokon is an active stratovolcano in Tomohon city, North Sulawesi, roughly 10 km south of Manado, and is one of Indonesia's most persistently active volcanoes. It forms a twin-cone complex with Mount Empung, and all eruptions originate from the Tompaluan pit crater located in the saddle between the two peaks rather than from Lokon's own flat, craterless summit. The volcano is continuously monitored by Indonesia's PVMBG, with an active exclusion zone around Tompaluan crater enforced whenever the alert level rises.
Gallery
Foto bersumber dari Wikimedia Commons — klik untuk memperbesar & lihat sumbernya.
Routes
Jalur Kakaskasen Satu ke Kawah Tompaluan
Mudah–sedang (day trek); licin di jalur lavaThe main trail from Kakaskasen Satu basecamp (~796 m) behind a quarry area, following an old dry lava-flow riverbed up to the crater area, with a few hundred metres of gain. Water is scarce so hikers must carry their own, and a danger buffer around the active Tompaluan crater must be avoided; status can change at any time with volcanic activity.
SourceJalur Kakaskasen Tiga (via Taman Wisata Pelangi) ke Kawah Tompaluan
Mudah–sedang; licin di jalur lavaRoute from Kakaskasen Tiga village at Taman Wisata Pelangi, following a rubble road before joining the main trail; from the stone quarry it takes only 60–90 minutes to reach the Tompaluan crater rim (~1,130 m). Most visitors stop at the crater rather than the true summit; the path follows a smooth old lava-flow bed that can be very slippery.
SourceClimbing Experiences
The Mount Lokon (~1,580 m) experience in Tomohon, North Sulawesi is usually not a climb to the true summit but a day trek to the Tompaluan crater — the active vent in the saddle between Lokon and Empung. Hikers approach from the east via Kakaskasen (Satu or Tiga/Taman Wisata Pelangi), following a dry riverbed of old lava flows that can be very slippery with mossy rocks, then pushing through sharp reed grass near the crater. Accounts highlight sulfur steam, views over Tomohon town, and sunrise moments. Because Lokon is highly active and has repeatedly triggered closures, sources stress checking the volcanic status (PVMBG/MAGMA Indonesia) and respecting the exclusion zone around the crater.
References
The summary above is compiled from the following sources. Click to explore them yourself.