To get to the trailhead, start in Manizales. There is no public transport to the trailhead, so you'll have to check several tour companies for a trip. The road heads east and up the mountain to El Secreta, where you turn south on a dirt road to the trailhead. We paid $10 a person for five people, which included a tour of the Ruiz area and a visit to the hot springs, and a lunch. Park entry was an additional $10 and there was a small fee to bathe in the hot springs in El Secreta.

Route Description

To climb the mountain simply have the driver from the tour company drop you off at the base of Ruiz, which is located at the old Ruiz Refugio. No directions are needed for the climb, simply climb the steep sandy/snow slope to the crater rim in about 2 or 2.5 kms. The elevation gain is only 531 meters (1742 feet), so this is one of the easiest places in the world to reach this high of an elevation. The route was formerly a large glacier, but the eruption and warming has melted much the glacier. The route still is covered with snow and ice for much of the distance, so an ice axe is handy, but there are only a very few very tiny crevasses. Crampons are needed in icy conditions. The mountain will slowly build glaciers again. Enjoy the spectacular views from one of the deadliest mountains in the world.

Also, make sure to acclimatize somewhere, as the trailhead is at 4790 meters (15,715 feet)!

Note: The peak is oftten closed due to eruption danger. In that case you will have to settle for climbing Olleta Crater, just west of Ruiz.

Essential Gear

An ice axe can come in handy, as can ski/walking poles to climb the sandy slope.

Miscellaneous Info

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