Isabela · Galápagos
Hiking Isabela Island
The largest and wildest of the Galápagos — and the best island to explore on foot. Trek across the giant Sierra Negra caldera, walk to the Wall of Tears, and meet the wildlife on every trail.
Why hike Isabela?
Isabela is the Galápagos at its rawest — a seahorse-shaped island built from six volcanoes, with more wildlife and more trails than anywhere else in the archipelago. Its centrepiece is the Sierra Negra volcano: one of the largest active calderas on Earth, with a trail across it to the steaming lava fields of Volcán Chico.
Add the haunting Wall of Tears, the reef-shark channels of Las Tintoreras, flamingo lagoons and miles of lava coast, and you have a genuine multi-day hiking island — best explored slowly, on foot, from the laid-back town of Puerto Villamil.
The hiker's island
If you only have time for one Galápagos island on foot, make it Isabela. It has the standout volcano trek (Sierra Negra), the most varied coastal walks, and the most relaxed town. We run it land-based — you sleep in Puerto Villamil and hike by day — with a licensed naturalist guide for the trails that require one.
The climb, day by day
Your itinerary
3 days hiking Isabela
Settle into Puerto Villamil and walk the flamingo lagoons, Concha de Perla and the Wall of Tears trail — easy coastal hiking with marine iguanas, tortoises and shorebirds.
The big day: a guided trek across the Sierra Negra caldera rim to the otherworldly lava fields of Volcán Chico (~16 km round trip).
A final short walk and panga ride to Las Tintoreras — reef sharks, sea lions and penguins among the lava — before you move on.
What's included
Included
- Licensed naturalist guide for Sierra Negra & required trails
- Accommodation in Puerto Villamil
- Land transport & trail logistics on Isabela
- Park-trail permits and briefing
- Daily breakfast
Not included
- Inter-island flights/ferries & Galápagos park fee
- Travel insurance (recommended)
- Lunches & dinners in town
- Optional snorkel tours (Las Tintoreras, Los Túneles)
Gear & equipment
We arrange
- Naturalist guides where required
- Island lodging
- Transfers & trail logistics
- Permits
You bring
- Light hiking shoes
- Sun hat & reef-safe sunscreen
- Daypack & 2 L water
- Light rain layer
- Swimwear
Guides & safety
- Licensed Galápagos naturalist guides
- Small groups, low-impact trekking
- Land-based — flexible, town-based nights
- All park-trail permits handled
Before you climb
Isabela hiking FAQ
What is the best hike on Isabela Island?
The Sierra Negra volcano trek is the standout — a roughly 16 km guided walk across one of the world's largest calderas to the Volcán Chico lava fields. The Wall of Tears coastal trail and Las Tintoreras are the other highlights.
How many days do you need on Isabela?
Three days lets you do Sierra Negra, the coastal trails and Las Tintoreras without rushing. It pairs naturally with a few days on Santa Cruz for a longer Galápagos hiking trip.
Do you need a guide to hike on Isabela?
For Sierra Negra and several national-park trails, yes — a licensed naturalist guide is required by law. A few walks (like the Wall of Tears) you can do independently. We arrange guides wherever they're needed.
How do you get to Isabela?
Isabela is reached by a roughly 2-hour public ferry (or a short flight) from Santa Cruz, which connects to the mainland by air. We handle the inter-island logistics as part of a land-based itinerary.
Plan your ascent
Ready to hike Isabela?
Tell us your dates and we'll build a land-based Isabela hiking trip — Sierra Negra, the Wall of Tears and the wildlife trails — with the guides and logistics handled.