Lake Toba Volcano, 6 Active Volcanoes Near Lake Toba, North Sumatra

Lake Toba volcano are scattered in several locations and are still active. One of the famous volcanoes on Lake Toba is Mount Toba where this mountain became the history of the formation of Lake Toba 75,000 years ago through the eruption of Mount Toba. Mount Toba is an ancient supervolcano that erupted and formed the caldera that we currently know as Lake Toba. This mount is the only supervolcano in Indonesia. Lake Toba itself is a famous tourist attraction in Indonesia with a variety of exoticism.

Interested in a vacation to Lake Toba, you can see the following Lake Toba tour package offers with all-inclusive and comfortable facilities:

For those of you who like challenging tours or mountain hiking, you can try hiking Sibayak Volcano. Here is the Mount Sibayak hiking package that you can see:

With the presence of volcanoes near Lake Toba, it is certainly an attraction for tourists. In addition to mountains, Lake Toba is also decorated with hills on Lake Toba which are very charming. Many people make mountains as a hiking location and enjoy the view from a height and also a place for camping on Lake Toba. For those of you who want to hike mountains on Lake Toba, it should be noted that there are active volcanoes near Lake Toba. Here’s a list of Lake Toba volcano:

  • 1. Mount Toba

Mount Toba is a Lake Toba volcano that is still active. Included in the very large category, this supervolcano last erupted approximately 74 thousand years ago. Until now, a number of studies have been conducted on Mount Toba, both by domestic and foreign researchers.

A number of scientific reports prove the existence of Mount Toba. Dutch geologist Van Bemmelan in 1939 revealed that Lake Toba is surrounded by pumice. These rocks are relics of volcanic eruptions, in this case Mount Toba, which spread to a number of places, even abroad. Later, a number of researchers found remnants of rhyolite burning that were the same age as Toba rocks in Malaysia and some even reached the central part of India. Indonesian seismologist Fauzi is also one of the researchers who helped uncover the mysteries of Mount Toba.

If mapped, the location of Mount Toba is at the confluence of three tectonic plates: Pacific, Eurasian, and Indo-Australian. Around 80% of Indonesia is located on the Eurasian plate, including Sumatra, Kalimantan, Java, Sulawesi and Banda. This factor also makes Indonesia prone to natural disasters, especially earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Before the ‘long sleep’. Mount Toba had erupted three times. The first eruption occurred approximately 800 thousand years ago which then produced a caldera in the southern part of Lake Toba. The second eruption that occurred 500 thousand years ago then formed a caldera in the northern part of Lake Toba. Finally, the third eruption 74 thousand years ago formed the entire caldera of Lake Toba to create Samosir Island in the middle.

The eruption of Mount Toba apparently produced a gravitational anomaly. According to the law of gravity, a place will have the same gravity as another place if it has the same height, mass and relativity. When Mount Toba erupted, a lot of material came out. Because of the magnitude of the eruptions, the mass was reduced, which also affected the gravitational force. From here, up-lifting occurred, which then gave rise to Samosir Island.

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  • 2. Mount Sibuatan

Mount Sibuatan is a volcano on Lake Toba that has an altitude of 2,457 meters above sea level. Also known as Mount Sibuaten, this volcano ‘beats’ Mount Sinabung which has decreased in height due to eruptions that have taken place since 2010. This mountain has also become an alternative favorite destination for hikers visiting North Sumatra.

There are many features that tourists can get when they visit Mount Sibuatan. One of them is the Moss Forest, which is the habitat of a number of rare flora in Indonesia. Call it mushrooms, tropical pitcher plants, orchids, and of course moss. The existence of this moss forest can also be found when entering an altitude of 2,000 meters above sea level.

In addition, there is Pilar Peak, the main peak of Mount Sibuatan which climbers can travel for approximately 45-60 minutes from Shelter 5. Arriving at the summit, climbers will be greeted by a stunning panorama of Lake Toba and Samosir Island. Even other mountains such as Mount Barus, Mount Sinabung, and Mount Sibayak can be seen from Pilar Peak.

Hiking Mount Sibuatan is challenging as the area has not been touched by humans too often. Hikers are advised to wear boots to prevent falls when walking on slippery surfaces. If you don’t like climbing, there are still several other activities that tourists can do at Mount Sibuatan. For example, camping at Tugu Satya, hunting for sunrise and sunset, and observing the typical flora of the moss forest.

Mount Sibuatan is located in Karo Regency and part of four sub-districts. These include Munte, Merek, Juhar, and Tiga Panah sub-districts. Tourists who want to go to this tourist spot can start the journey from Medan city center by private or public transportation.

For public transportation, van or buses are available at Padang Bulan Post Junction which leads to Sidikalang, Dairi Regency. Other options are available in intercity buses with Medan-Berastagi or Medan-Kabanjahe routes at Amplas Integrated Terminal. It takes three hours from Simpang Pos to Nagalingga village in Karo to start the journey at Mount Sibuatan.

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  • 3. Mount Sinabung

Mount Sinabung is one of the volcanoes near Lake Toba, Indonesia. It is an active Lake Toba volcano located in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. This type of volcano has a high eruption rate, even more powerful than other volcanoes in North Sumatra.

Nevertheless, Mount Sinabung is one of the favorite mountains of climbers. Moreover, North Sumatra is famous for its various beautiful and amazing natural charms, no wonder many tourists are curious about the beauty of Mount Sinabung.

In terms of the type of mountain itself, Mount Sinabung is a strato-volcano with a cone shape and categorized in Type-A, which is a group of volcanoes that have erupted magmatically approximately once after 1600 AD. Before being categorized as a Type-A volcano, it turns out that Mount Sinabung used to be Type-B.

Type-B is a volcano that has erupted, but after 1600 AD and has no longer appeared magmatic eruptions, but still shows symptoms of activity, for example solfatara activity. Regarding the activity of Mount Sinabung, it is not clearly known.

This happened because there is no historical record or literature that explains it. Meanwhile, before 1600 AD, there was the last activity of Mount Sinabung, namely, the vomiting of pyroclastic rocks with lava flowing towards the south.

Meanwhile, Mount Sinabung has an altitude of around 2,451 meters above sea level and known to have never experienced an eruption since 1600. However, in 2010, 2013, and 2016, this mountain showed its activity again and got an eruption. Mount Sinabung itself has various interesting facts. First, Mount Sinabung fills the list of dead mountains in Indonesia after its last eruption in 1600 AD. However, Mount Sinabung finally woke up from its slumber and became active again and erupted in 2010.

Second, the eruption of Mount Sinabung was not from the top of the mountain, but from the side of the mountain. Actually, the surrounding community is very aware of Mount Sibayak because it is considered an active volcano. But uniquely what erupted was not Mount Sibayak but Mount Sinabung. Third, Mount Sinabung managed to break the record as a volcano in Indonesia that ran the longest eruption, which is approximately 7 months. This record was previously held by Mount Bromo.

For hikers who want to enjoy the beauty of Mount Sinabung, they can go through two climbing routes. First, from Lake Lau Kawar and Mardinding Village. However, most hikers often pass through the Lau Kawar route, because the path is faster to the top of the mountain.

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  • 4. Mount Sibayak

Mount Sibayak is a mountain located in Karo Regency, North Sumatra and a volcano near Lake Toba that offers natural beauty. Mount Sibayak is also one of the mountains suitable for hiking. This mountain is one type of volcano located in the Karo Highlands, its height reaches 2,094 meters above sea level. The highest peak of Mount Sibayak is often referred to by the local community as Takal Kuda (in Karo language means Horse Head).

When climbing to the top, you can see a clear view of Mount Sinabung. The process of hiking Mount Sibayak actually does not take long, because it does not take days to reach the top of the mountain. Climbers can reach the top in just about two hours. So, this mountain is an interesting sport for beginner mountain climbers.

If you want to hike Mount Sibayak there are several hiking trails that can be chosen. First, the easiest route starts from the Semangat Gunung Village with fairly easy, organized, smooth terrain and vehicles can go through this terrain. So it does not require a long climbing time.

Second, through the Jarang Uda Village Path, if this way requires a little longer hiking time than the first path.  However, during this route, hikers can enjoy beautiful natural scenery in the form of hot springs.

Third, this third path can be said to be the most difficult path than other hiking trails. People usually refer to this path as path 54. Climbers will face difficult and challenging terrain conditions. The road is quite extreme and steep, so it requires a longer travel distance. When arriving at the top of Mount Sibayak, climbers can enjoy the beauty of the sunrise. Climbers who are eyeing the sunrise will usually hike from the foot of the mountain around 02.00 in the morning. Indeed, climbing at night is quite extreme, but the view is also very interesting.

Mount Sibayak itself has a unique crater, a type of sulfur crater with an area of up to 40,000 m. The content of solfatara makes the crater of Mount Sibayak never stop spewing hot steam. While there is a sloping section in the crater as a place for climbers to rest for a moment in a tent.

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  • 5. Mount Sibual-buali

North Sumatra Province presents a variety of interesting and endless natural tourist destinations for you to explore. You can find various types of nature tourism in this one province.  For those of you who are nature lovers, especially mountain climbers, in North Sumatra there are also many mountains that can be used as an option to do extreme sports hobby. One of the mountains that has a beautiful and interesting charm to climb in North Sumatra is Mount Sibual Buali.

Sibual Buali Mountain Tourism in North Sumatra is a must-visit if you have a hobby of hiking. This mountain is located in South Tapanuli Regency. Mount Sibual Buali has an altitude of approximately 1819 meters above sea level. This Lake Toba volcano also has a variety of flora and fauna, similar to another mountain next to it, namely Mount Lubuk Raya. The flora and fauna include several types of monkeys and also tropical pitcher plants.

Mount Sibual Buali itself is still an active volcano but still considered safe. So, you can still climb this mountain with peace of mind. To reach the top of the mountain, you can ask a guide from friendly local residents to guide all the way to get to the top more quickly and safely.

When hiking Mount Sibual Buali, you will be presented with a very exotic and beautiful natural scenery. When you climb this volcano near Lake Toba and reach the top, you can hear the sound of hot air bursts mixed with the sound of sulfur and the sound of a waterfall in the middle of two mountains.

The beauty of the Silima Lima waterfall on the mountain is one of the extraordinary charms that you will not be able to forget when hiking Mount Sibual Buali. To be able to reach the top of Mount Sibual Buali, climbers must travel the hiking trail for about 2 hours. But even though it looks tiring, the fatigue will be paid off by the charm of the natural beauty that is presented in front of the eyes.

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  • 6. Mount Lubuk Raja

Mountain climbing is one of the most fun and exciting activities. Especially if done together with the friends. Indonesia itself has many mountains that can be climbed, including volcanoes. Volcanoes in Indonesia are almost spread across all provinces. Including in North Sumatra.

If you take a moment to explore North Sumatra, you will find a million beauties and charms of natural and cultural beauty that are certainly not inferior to other provinces in Indonesia. Not only Lake Toba tours, in fact North Sumatra has many other interesting tourist attractions. South Tapanuli Regency has several tourist attractions that must be visited.

One of the tours that should not be missed when visiting South Tapanuli Regency is hiking Mount Lubuk Raja. This volcano near Lake Toba is a reflection of the local wisdom of the people of South Tapanuli who really care about the preservation of the surrounding nature.

Mount Lubuk Raja has an altitude of approximately 1813 meters above sea level. The mountain is flanked by two sub-districts, namely Batang Toru and Marancar. Mount Lubuk Raja itself is one of the interesting spots for climbers. Although this mountain has a relatively low altitude, the terrain to reach the top is very challenging.

During the journey up to the mountain and reach the top, you will be viewed the dense forests and also encounter shrubs. Then, when you get to the top, you will find thorny plants. Therefore, you have to be very careful because these plants can hurt you.

From the top of Mount Lubuk Raja, you can see the beauty of the surrounding nature that stretches like a green carpet or rug and of course this beauty must be preserved and maintained. In addition, you can also see various types of forest shrubs or also known as tropical pitcher plants. Mount Lubuk Raja has a charm of natural beauty around that will spoil your eyes and make your mind more relax. Climbing this mountain is also quite challenging for those of you who like challenges.

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That’s the list of volcanoes in Lake Toba that are still active. Make sure you check the safety status of the Lake Toba volcano if you want to hike and camp at its peak.

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