Should You Hike or Ride Up Sierra Negra Volcano?
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I’m a naturalist guide on Isabela and yeah… I’m probably biased toward horses 😅
But honestly both options have real pros and cons.
First thing: hiking is definitely cheaper.
And if you LOVE hiking, long walks, and physical challenges, you’ll probably really enjoy it.
That said, I think people sometimes underestimate how long Sierra Negra can feel if hiking isn’t really their thing.
Some travelers LOVE the hike. Some are checking their watch halfway through wondering why they didn’t take horses.
Horseback riding is honestly great if:
you want a more unique way to experience the volcano
your knees are tired from vacation walking already
you’re honeymooning
you’re a horse fanatic
you want adventure without feeling wrecked afterward
you have children or older visitors in your group
you want a story you’ll still talk about later
The funny thing is a lot of first-time riders end up loving it.
The horses are usually calmer than people expect.
And riding through lava fields toward the massive Sierra Negra crater honestly feels pretty unreal 🌋
That said: if you have a real fear of horses or allergies, hiking is definitely the better call.
Either way, don’t skip this side of Galápagos.
Everyone talks about the underwater world here — and yeah, it’s incredible — but seeing the islands from the top of a volcano through lava fields is a completely different experience that a lot of travelers don’t expect and are glad they didn't miss. 🐴