Gunung Peutsagu

Information

Elevation

2.780 m

Country

Indonesia (ID)

Location / Range

Barisan Mountains, Pidie Regency, Aceh

Mountain type

Active stratovolcano complex (four peaks)

Volcanic?

Yes — volcano

Coordinates

4.9061, 96.3048

Difficulty

Very difficult — an expedition (not for ordinary hikers)

Best Season

April–October (dry season)

Hazards

Active volcano; very remote (~4 days on foot from the nearest settlement); dense forest; risk of eruption, volcanic ash, and toxic gases around the crater

Description

Gunung Peutsagu (Acehnese: Peuët Sagoë, meaning 'four corners') is an active stratovolcanic complex in Geumpang sub-district, Pidie Regency, Aceh Province, Indonesia. The name reflects the mountain's four distinct summits: Gunung Kemiki (2,801 m, the highest point), Peuet Sague (2,512 m), Gunung Tutung (2,435 m, with an active crater 80 m deep and 70 m in diameter), and Gunung Apui (2,424 m). The complex's elevation is commonly cited at around 2,780 metres. Peutsagu ranks among Indonesia's most remote volcanoes — reaching it from the nearest village (Desa Lutung, Geumpang sub-district, approximately 200 km from Banda Aceh) takes about four days on foot through dense rainforest. Recorded eruptions span 1918–1921 (including a major eruption September 1919 – May 1920), 1998 (ash spotted by a Garuda Indonesia pilot), 1999 (over 20 explosions per day, VEI 1), and December 2000 (strombolian to vulcanian activity, VEI 2, ash fall 20 km downwind). The Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program (GVP) lists this volcano under number 261030. In July–August 2023, the Aceh Paradise team completed a 13-day expedition successfully summiting all four peaks. Trails are extremely demanding and lack tourist infrastructure; the volcano is suitable only for well-prepared expedition teams.