Hiking Ometepe: 4 Excellent Trails Not To Miss

In a country known as the land of lakes and volcanoes, hiking in Ometepe is an exciting prospect. This figure-eight island sits within the massive basin of Lake Nicaragua, with the unmistakable cone shapes of Concepcion and Maderas volcanoes rising up at either end. Despite being an island, Ometepe isn’t short on things to do. But, the hiking is hard to beat. In fact, Ometepe hiking is some of the best in Nicaragua. And we should know, we hiked A LOT in Nicaragua.

In this Ometepe hiking guide, we’ll detail the four best hikes to do on the island. There’s a good mix too! So expect to see a couple of epic Ometepe Volcano hikes, an adventurous waterfall trek and a laid-back, animal-spotting nature trail as you set about exploring Ometepe Island on foot.

Views of Concepcion Volcano when hiking Ometepe — Views of Concepcion from Maderas Volcano

Table of Contents

Hiking Ometepe Overview

There are many things to do on Ometepe Island. Of course, most travellers’ Ometepe itinerary will include at least one Ometepe volcano. But, why stop at one when you can do two? And why stop at volcanoes when you can hike to waterfalls? And why stop with waterfalls when you can round the whole thing off with a tranquil hike around a nature reserve?

If you’re looking to see a great deal of what this island has to offer, then these Ometepe hikes are a great place to start.

So, let’s take a look at these Ometepe hiking locations on the map below.

Ometepe Hiking Locations

1. Concepcion Volcano Hike

Type: Out & Back
Distance: 8.65 km
Time: 7–9 hours
Accumulated elevation gain: 1,338m
Difficulty: Hard
Trailhead: Los Ramos (NIC-64)

Also known as Volcan Concepcion or Concepción Volcano, this active volcano dominates the skyline and is actually Nicaragua’s second-highest volcano, after San Cristobal. As a result, hiking Concepcion Volcano in Ometepe is no easy feat. Most of your hours spent on this hike will be on the steep ascent to its epic crater. But stick with it. On a clear day, the views across the whole of Ometepe are quite spectacular.

If you love hiking Nicaragua volcanoes, then you can’t miss hiking Concepcion Volcano. In fact, it’s easily one of the best volcano hikes in Nicaragua. You’ll need a guide for this one though, it’s compulsory. But, it’s easy enough to arrange a guide or tour once on the island, with a small charge per person.

Views of Concepcion, not seen when hiking, but from our accommodation in Moyogalpa — Concepcion Volcano

2. Maderas Volcano Hike

Type: Out & Back
Distance: 14.5 km
Time: 7–9 hours
Accumulated elevation gain: 1,289m
Difficulty: Hard
Trailhead: Eco-Lodge El Porvenir

Maderas Volcano in Ometepe couldn’t be more different from its neighbour, Concepcion. Also known as Volcan Maderas and Volcano Maderas, this tough Ometepe volcano hike takes a steep and muddy route up to its cloud-covered crater lake. The obstacle-laden track often involves crawling under or clambering over tree trunks. If you’re after a challenging and adventurous hike, then Maderas Volcano in Nicaragua ticks the box. Dan and I think Maderas is one of the hardest hikes in Nicaragua, up there with Asososca, and is definitely the hardest hiking on Ometepe. On the other hand, it’s probably one of the most popular hikes too, and for good reason. So, come see for yourself.

Dan stands at the crater of Maderas Volcano when hiking in Ometepe — Maderas crater views

3. San Ramon Waterfall Hike

Type: Out & Back
Distance: 9.85 km
Time: 2.5–4 hours
Accumulated elevation gain: 515m
Difficulty: Easy
Trailhead: San Ramon

The San Ramon Waterfall in Ometepe is a fantastic 50m drop, cascading into a lovely natural pool below. Whether you choose to hike the whole trail or drive halfway along the 4WD-access road, you’ll not be disappointed. Cascading down the southern flank of Maderas Volcano, the waterfall plunges over mossy rocks within a charming rainforest setting.

Bear in mind, though, that San Ramon Waterfall is at its best in the wet season. So, if it’s epic you’re after, you may be wise to plan your visit accordingly.

San Ramon Waterfall on a hike in Ometepe — San Ramon in the dry season

4. Charco Verde Nature Reserve

Type: Loop
Distance: 2.7km
Time: 1 hour
Accumulated elevation gain: 39m
Difficulty: Very easy
Trailhead: Charco Verde Main Entrance

This beautiful nature trail loops around a small emerald-green lagoon. Its edges are fringed with black sand beaches with serene views across Lake Nicaragua. Ultimately, Charco Verde is a magical place filled with legend and folklore. It’s teeming with wildlife, bright flowers and unusual trees. The only other place we’ve experienced something similar in Nicaragua was in the beautiful Montibelli Nature Reserve. Above all, Charco Verde is possibly the most relaxing hike in Ometepe. So, if you’re after something a little more leisurely, especially after hiking either of the Ometepe Volcanoes, then Charco Verde is an excellent option for you.

Dan walks across the mangrove boardwalk at Charco Verde — Mangrove boardwalk at Charco Verde

Ometepe Hiking Recap

So, as you can see, there’s some really great hiking to be had on Ometepe Island. There’s a great mix of challenging and strenuous trails, with some a little more relaxing. Certainly, I’d say something for everyone. Of course, there are plenty of other things to do in Ometepe, but hiking here offers some of the best ways to see the island.

Of course, if you love hiking on Ometepe, be sure to check out our 16 Best Hikes in Nicaragua guide for more fantastic hiking in this beautiful country.

Other Things to Do in Ometepe

If you’re looking for a few other things to do in Ometepe, you can’t go wrong with these alternatives to hiking. Or, should I say, additions to hiking in Ometepe:

Kayaking Ometepe: kayaking in Ometepe is one of the best ways to enjoy the island. If you’re ready to give your legs a rest after all your Ometepe hiking, then grab a paddle and head on out onto the beautiful Lake Nicaragua. What a great way to survey the two volcanoes you’ve just scaled.
Ojo de Agua: after a day of hiking in Ometepe, what better way to relax than in the crystal clear waters of Ojo de Agua. These two pools are formed by an underground river that flows from Maderas Volcano. They’re the perfect place to unwind.
Petroglyphs: did you know Ometepe is home to some amazing examples of early rock art? Many of the petroglyphs can even be found on some of the Ometepe hikes. Some of the best examples can be seen at Hotel Finca Porvenir and Finca Magdalena.

To find out more about all of the gear that we use and recommend, read our guides about our favourite hiking gear, travel gear and camera gear. Otherwise, read our comprehensive travel packing checklist.

You’ll also want to pack a hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, bug spray, trekking poles and 2–3L of water for most hiking in Ometepe.

Maderas from the slopes of Concepcion — Maderas Volcano from the slopes of Concepcion

Bonus Tips For Ometepe Hiking

Wet weather warning: hiking on Ometepe volcanoes can be hot and sweaty. But, it can also be a little cloudy, rainy and often misty. So, make sure you’re prepared to get a little wet and, on occasion, muddy.
Getting around: by far the easiest way to explore Ometepe is to rent a scooter or ATV. Public buses do run, but they can be infrequent and a little unreliable at times.
Be a morning person: the Ometepe volcano hikes are long and you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time in the day to complete them. Similarly, San Ramon and Charco Verde can get quite crowded, so starting early means beating the crowds.
Travel guides: we’ve done plenty of hiking in Central America. Check out our other ‘best hikes lists’ in Central America. These include – 20 Epic El Salvador Hiking Trails Not To Miss and 17 of the Best Hikes in Guatemala.