Lac Assal
Key information: Lac Assal 
- Outstanding crater lake in a huge depression at 155m below sea level. Around it is a ring of volcanic cones and their dark lava fields and a vast, white salt flat.
- Exceptional landscape, even by East African standards.
Walkopedia rating
- Walkopedia rating83
- Beauty31
- Natural interest18
- Human interest2
- Charisma32
- Negative points0
- Total rating83
Vital Statistics
- Length: Variable
- Maximum Altitude: Just above sea level!
- Level of Difficulty: Moderate
This walk description page is at an early stage of development, and will be expanded over time. Your comments on this walk, your experiences and tips, and your photos are very welcome.
WALK SUMMARY
This outstanding crater lake lies in a huge depression, at 155m below sea level the lowest point in Africa, some 100km west of Djibouti City. Around it is a ring of volcanic cones and their dark lava fields and a vast, white salt flat, 10km wide and 60m deep.
Exceptional landscape, even by East African standards.
Explore on foot.
The heat and lack of water can be extreme, and the area is unvisitable at some times of the year. Always come prepared, protected and with enough water.
Lonely Planet’s Ethiopia and Djibouti has decent basic information (including guides and places to stay).
This page is at an early stage of development. Please help us by recommending your best walks/making suggestions and sending photos! Thank you!
See our Djibouti page for more walks, information and photos.
Other accounts: share your experiences
Your comments on this walk, your experiences and suggestions, and your photos are very welcome. Where appropriate, you will be credited for your contribution.
Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk.
Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to “Important information” for further important information.
Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.
Responsible travel matters, a lot. How you travel will make a real difference - for better or worse. PLEASE consider this when making plans. Read more
Contents
Other great walks in Djibouti
RESEARCH ESSENTIALS
Information and review
Finding flights, organising travel
Car hire
Accommodation
- Booking.com
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TripAdvisor
Equipment & Clothing
Books and Maps
- Amazon
- Maps and guides from Maps Worldwide
- Cicerone � explore the world�s best collection of walking books
Holidays and Activities
MAGAZINE
Walking with Trees: the Kumano Kōdō Kōhechi - Stephen Barber's account and photos of one of Japan's great pilgrimage trails. March 2021
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL
Responsible travel matters, a lot. How you travel will make a real difference - for better or worse. PLEASE consider this when making plans. Read more
