Klyuchevskaya Sopka — Local services in Kamchatka Krai

The highest active volcano outside the Americas, situated on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula and regarded as sacred by the native population.

Also known as Klyuchevskaya Sopka, Kliuchevskoi is one of the most active, as well as the highest of a dense chain of more than 160 volcanoes that run down the Kamchatka Peninsula. The volcanoes are the result of the Pacific and North American plates subducting (sliding under) the small Okhotsk Plate, on which Kamchatka sits. This process provoked the formation of magma at depth, which moved upward to create the volcanoes.

Dangerous beauty. Originally formed around 6,000 years ago, Kliuchevskoi has been erupting almost continually since at least the late 17th century, including significant eruptions in 2007, 2010, 2012, 2013, and 2015. Due to its frequent eruptions, the peak has not been climbed often. A beautiful, symmetrical, snow-capped volcano, Kliuchevskoi is regarded by some of Kamchatka’s native people as the place where the world...

There are a lot of active volcanoes in the area, lots of bears and bugs. Guides can be hired but it is more fun to sneak around…more dangerous too….Bears…. This volcano is constantly erupting, very difficult to get close to, but worth the trip. Quite a hike to get close to the lava flows. Snow is melted near them and then refrozen into ice….Makes for a fun hike. Stay upwind of the gas coming out of the ground, got a little light headed for a bit. Definitely pack enough gear for this trip and bring the stuff you don’t think you will need. Because you will not want to use any of your gear and there is nothing else around, bring a stick or piece of metal to play with the lava. Make your own unique...

“This is how the planet’s fiery breath looks when the volcano wakes”, a local resident observed to me describing the blazing glow of Klyuchevskaya Sopka. Considered the tallest active volcano in Eurasia, it is visible from more than 60 miles away. Klyuchevskaya Sopka is located on Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, approximately 60 miles west of the Bering Sea, and towers nearly 16,000 feet...