It is surrounded by the lush forest of Kerinci Seblat National Park, home to several endangered species including the Sumatran tiger.

In 2004, Kerinci erupted and continues to spew clouds of sulfurous smoke, with plumes reaching as high as 1,000 m (3,281 ft) above the summit.

[1] Kerinci was first climbed in December 1877 by Dutch mountaineers Arend Ludolf van Hasselt and Daniël David Veth.

Kerinci's terrain consists of thick jungle and can get muddy and slippery even if in only mild drizzles, which may occur occasionally even during the dry season.

Anyone wishing to climb the volcano requires the services of a guide, under the Kerinci Seblat National Park regulations.