Among these attractions is Kluchevskaya Sopka (4,750 – 4,850 meters high) or Kluchevskoy – the tallest active volcano in Eurasia. Although Kluchevskoy is “only” the world’s sixth largest, it never fails to fascinate Russian as well as foreign tourists.

Kluchevskoy Volcano is located 650 km north of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky; therefore one must drive several hundred kilometers along the Milkovo - Ust-Kamchatsk gravel road in order to catch its glimpse on the horizon. 

There are three main routes to the volcano’s summit. 

The first is the easiest in climbing, but the most difficult in approaching the base camp, located on Volcanologist Pass between Kluchevskoy and Kamen or Stone Volcanoes. 

The second route requires climbing with all the necessary alpine equipment, which is carried from one camp to another without wasting time for acclimatization and transportation of the equipment. The route starts in Apakhonchich Seismic Station, reachable by an off-road vehicle from Kluchi village. 

The third route is similar to the previous, but it starts from Podkova or Horseshoe Seismic Station. The latter two routes are suitable for mountaineers, who are especially interested in conquering summits while quickly taking in the surrounding beauty. 

The first route allows one to enjoy a more leisurely pace climbing to delight  in Kamchatka’s unique nature.

To get to the Pass one may depart from either Kozyrevsk to Kluchi village, or do it vice versa. The only difference it makes is where you want to start and finish the route. 

Reservations for an overnight stay in Kozyrevsk and Kluchi should also be made in advance. The hosts and hostess of private inns always give a hearty welcome. Once everything has been arranged, you can move.

Note: Besides other equipment, every traveler ascending the volcano must have a helmet. One of the hazards on Kluchevskoy is falling rocks. They get ice-bound at night, but by daylight when it gets warm, they plummet sometimes for several kilometers at a very high speed. Another hazard is bad weather. At the elevation under 2,000 meters wind or rain, if properly equipped, presents no danger, but higher these factors may lead to a tragedy. 

Actually, every ascent involves risk, and this must be fully apprehended and kept under control. Kluchevskoy is number one in Kamchatka’s sorrowful list of deadliest volcanoes. Most casualties occur due to human error. History registered only one accident, which could not be prevented by people. It happened in 1978, when a volcanic bomb was thrown by an eruption, at night on the tent of a young glaciologist A. Ivanov and his companions. Nevertheless, Kluchevskaya Sopka, being the tallest active volcano in Eurasia, is quite safe for climbing by careful, well-prepared and properly equipped mountaineers.

Contact Volcanoes of Kamchatka Nature Park for a permit. Telephone +7 (41531) 7 24 00

Kamchatka Regional Search and Rescue Team telephone +7 4152 410-395, tel./fax +7 (415-2)  27-65-60