The plains stretched as far as the eyes could see, and the sleepy horizon was obscured by massive cones of varying colours- some lush green, and others, earthly brown, jutting out into the skies and standing imposingly like enormous sand heaps on a village farm. These are none but the volcanoes that blew Jos Plateau in North Central Nigeria; they are called the Kerang Volcanoes.

Once upon  time, a first-time visitor to Plateau State was told that there exist extinct volcanoes in the region, and his mind immediately flew to the scene of an erupting Krakatau; he quickly expressed his blatant disbelief at the existence of such terrifying, but unique geologic landmarks within the Nigerian landmass. Only a road trip all the way from Jos City through the Mwaghavul area of Kombun, Kogul, Kerang, Bwonpe and Ampang west, down to the site of the Spring Waters of Nigeria (SWAN) factory, blew his ‘thomas’ mind.

Standing atop the rim of one of the volcanoes, right-about me, the landscape being lit up by the mid-day sun, was bedecked by fourteen (14) picturesque volcanoes. Their craters appeared to have been kept intact over years of in-situ weathering and erosion. Climbing the Kerang volcanoes is extremely daunting and enervating but richly rewarding as breath-taking vistas of the entire landscape hold the adventurer spell bound on reaching the zeniths of  any of the volcanoes.

Pidong lake is one of the most beautiful sights to behold on the volcanoes; formed by the accumulation of rain water in the crater of a volcano in Ampang. The water in this crater has never been known to dry up at any time regardless of how severe the dry season became within the region.

The volcanic hills are of great heritage to the people. Their significance have been expressed in their folklores, myths and legends. It was said that the area round the volcanoes was once inhabited by a race of giant people who were wealthy and possessed quantities of gold. These giants and their possessions were all destroyed by large fires from volcanic eruptions that took place in the area at the time. Another legend about the volcanic hills recounted that the one at Kerang, which was a female, occasionally intermarried with the one at Ampang West, which has a crater lake and was considered the male. The place of the marriage union was at a shallow pond in Mufil (It lies between Kerang and Ampang West). After the marriage, the volume of the water in the pond increased to about 1 kilometre in diameter and the water, which has a sparkling appearance, remains there for 2 to 3 months before the marriage was broken up and both husband and wife returned to their original place, with the pond drying up. The marriage was renewed after about one or two years depending on the mood of the female volcano.

The Kerang volcano was also said to have a big hole in which the chiefs of Kerang (particularly the legendary Chief Jepnwan) hid their soldiers during fierce encounters with their enemies.

One of the most attractive volcanoes in the area is the Jiblik volcano, located near Abwor-Dyis, along Kerang-Shendam road. It rises into the misty skies pulling a world of beauty and awe around itself. Its lush slopes constitute an irrestitible bait for passer-bys. Its jaw-dropping crater is not so visible from the main expressway. It is presently being considered as a potential UNESCO world heritage site.

– Bal Hill in Katul Village. Picniking at the top of the hill is worth looking forward to.

- Pidong Crater Lake

– The enchanting Jiblik Volcano

– Warming up for a climb up the the volcano opposite Swan Factory, Kerang.

– Vistas of the surrounding plains from the crater edge

Filed under: Travel, Travelogue