Volcan Telica | Informal Campsite

Simple! Do not go to this waypoint.
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Here’s everything I wish I had known before riding to Telica Volcano to camp on my own. I read all the iOverlander reports, and also asked tour organizers in León, and it was still pretty unclear what this trip would entail, and made for a pretty difficult adventure.

You access the volcano from Nic 3, map to Centro Recreativo el Primo (on iOverlander & Google). To reach this is a few miles of sand road. I was on an adventure motorcycle, and this stretch was ok for me, the sand was mostly compacted. But if you struggle here, do not keep going! This is the easiest part, and things get much more difficult if you try to head up the volcano. At this center is a clear sign now that says Telica 8km.

The first 4km of this are ok, similar to the bottom a mix of sand, silt, some rock and more elevation gain. After that point things get steeper, and about 2 km from the trail, is an incredibly silty hill. Not sure how it would be in a car or 4x4, but getting up it on my bike was extremely challenging.

Eventually you get to a very obvious parking lot area where you can access the volcano (the two Telica pins further down the road on iOverlander). The hiking trail goes straight up from by the pit toilet. There is an upper parking spot at the base of the volcano and a lower spot slightly hidden in the trees. This is where I intended to camp, however when the tour groups showed up, they advised me it was not safe to camp here alone. Not sure that would apply to people in pairs or with a roof tent, but they thought solo with a tent it was a bad idea and told me to continue to a ranch 1 km further (this pin). On iOverlander & maps me, this is where the road ends & some people say it’s the furthest you can go. That’s not true, the road does continue, but it’s an even more difficult stretch. Like the lower road but worse. It’s narrow so big rigs wouldn’t fit through, but local’s definitely access it in wagons, tractors, Jeeps, etc.

I reached this ranch in the dark and they told me about camping (but seemed confused). They said the camp spot was 25-30 minutes walking, and that I could park at the ranch. I’m sure with a vehicle you could also just park in their lot, though it has all the standard loud roosters dogs & cows.

The hike up the trail to the basecamp was incredibly difficult in the dark, I got lost, and also lost some of my gear because it was so steep that I couldn’t carry everything. It actually took over an hour to reach the camping spot. This camping is what the volcano tours use for their overnight tours, it’s only reachable on foot (even though it is confusingly on iOverlander). If I had to do it over again, I would book a tour and not try to go alone. If you have a solid 4x4, are on a small motorcycle (250cc or less) with good tires and a buddy, it might be a different story. The volcano is stunning, and it’s nice to see it at sunrise or sunset but going from León with a tour would probably be much nicer.

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Great spot!!! That’s the furthest you can drive. We arrive at about 4:00 pm and had the time to hike up there and see the crater (left path when you get upthere) and the beautiful sunset (right path when you get upthere). We paid 3 dollars pp to hike and spend the night. We slept on the parking lot.

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Perfect spot! Made it up here in a 4WD Tacoma with no issues at all. Did the hike at sunset without a guide. Only a few others at the top. Cute dogs around. We hung out in the shady hammocks in the afternoon and cooked in the cooking shelter because it was windy. Paid 3pp for the hike (really beautiful!). Passed a very peaceful night. I can't imagine the parking lot below would be as good, so if you have 4WD you try to make it to this spot! You have to ask around a little once you get to the community because the camp spot is through a couple gates.

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Arrived before sunset and made the easy 30' hike early in the morning whitout guide. Just awesome! Paid 3$pp for camping and 3$pp for the vulcano (no other entery fee).

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Amazing experience camping here. 4WD recommended, I think a 2WD will do as long as it has high clearance. Our RAV4 with road tires made it up there without many problems, hit a few rocks with the front diff though. The hike up from the parking area is about 40 mins. Beautiful views from the crater rim of the lava below and of the surrounding area. Camping is very basic and hard to find a spot that is a bit leveled. Loads of
stars at night if the sky is clear of clouds. Try and make a long exposure photo of the Vulcano and you will see the red glow and stars (photo included in review).

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If you have a small vehicle ( we drive a landrover with rooftop tents, you can drive up some thing a little bigger than that), 4x4 and high clearance you can drive very close to the crater of volcan Telica. The dirt road starts at the beginning of the main road between telica and chinandega coming from telica.
Its a veru slow drive of about 1,5 hours. You arrive at a small parking where there might be a guardian charging the entrance fee of 3 US pr person. From here you can walk about 1.5 km to the crater. Great views along the whole trail and also from the parking.Asked guardian. Said you can spend the night. Safe.
We continued another 10 min along the dirt road which deteriorates and becomes somewhat diffecult. Ends up at a small community where there is a kind of cabana where people visiting the volcano can sleep in hammocks or on mattresses. You can camp there as well. No view but the hike to the volcano and mirador is shorter and easier, about 20-30 min. We spent the night there. Both overnight spots are free. The first parking more quiet. No roosters, dogs etc.
Both places have very simple toilets.
Volcano and views from volcano towards Volcan Momotombo and San Cristobal fantastic. Worth the long and slow drive.

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