A Guide Tour of Volcano Etna
This site is the answer to whom wants to live the unforgettable experience of visiting Etna, the largest European volcano.
The site will help you to know something more about the Europe’s largest volcano.
You will find all specific information about Etna’s morphology, geological history, eruption history, all activities practicable and all to describe the most interesting attractions such as craters, mounts, natural parks and many other things.
The best activities practicable on Etna are the excursions through the natural paths of the Regional Park. I suggest to visit the Ragabo pine forest near Linguaglossa, a silent place where it is possible hear the voice of nature. The atmosphere will be something of unforgettable, because the quiet will hit your soul abstracting yourself from the crowded life of the cities.
This experience could be better if you decide to hike along the hidden paths, spectacular roads of nature where it is possible meet some animal of the protected area.
Of course the excursion can be practicable with an expert guide: have you ever heard about many people that had get lost during Etna excursion?
Fortunately the most of them have been sought out, but not rarely have been the cases with a dramatic end.
Etna’s identity card
Country: Italy
Summit Elevation: 3315 m (10,991 feet)
Latitude: 37°73′N
Longitude: 15°00′E
Last eruption: 2008
Volcano Type: Stratovolcano.
It is the Europe’s largest volcano, and one of the most active volcano on Earth, thanks to the eruption phenomenon occurring almost continuously in the summit area and on its flanks.
The Etna overlooks the metropolitan area of Catania (about 900,00 inhabitants).
Etna’s structure is larger than the other italian mounts, and it is covered by historical lava flows of basaltic composition.
Etna is full of small calderas. The most famous one, which is goal of interesting excursions, is the Valle del Bove (Valley of the Oxen).
It is a horseshoe-shape caldera with an area long 8 km and wide 5 km. The Valle del Bove is theatre of frequent and spectacular eruptions visible from the southern east part of the Catania province.
Why Etna is worth a visit?
The landscape of this place is something of unique in the world.
Your excursions will pass through a colored landscape: the flora and fauna of the Regional Park, the Ragabo Pine Forest, the Grottos (more than 200!), the lunar landscape that you will find over 2000 metres of altitude thanks to the many past lava casts, the lavish desert and the solemn experience of the craters.
The lava’s mound periodically changes the territory of the volcano, and the populations is always alert for the danger of new eruption phenomenon. In fact, in the past years, it was not rarely that lava’s casts reached the villages of the volcano.
The great crater will transport you in another planet (Etna’s summit seems to be a lunar soil without vegetation). The only thing you can see is the smoking crater of the volcano, whose smoke represents its lifeblood.
You will feel Etna breaths under your feet, and the emotion is something of difficult to explain by words.
The lunar scenario will hit your attention, thanks to the remains of the thousand past lava casts, such testimony of ancient disasters.
In some places of the higher altitudes it is possible seeing the ruins of refuges and of other
touristic facilities destroyed by lava.
This is something to remember for the people who work and live here, always in alert and ready to begin again to rebuild what nature arbitrarily and indifferently destroys.
Etna’s excursion means also visit the variegated vegetation and the animals that rarely get out of their lairs.
All the ecosystem is included in the Etna Regional Park, an institution to preserve this uncontaminated area.
How reaching Etna?
Etna is placed into the place where millions of years ago there was a great gulf between Nebrodi mounts of Messina and Iblei Mounts of Ragusa.
Thanks to the eruptive phenomenon under sea level, a great crater emerged from the sea, reaching the actual altitude.
If you decide to be the lucky adventurous tourist of this splendid volcano, you can arrive in Catania by Aero plane or train.
From Catania airport transfer to the strategic points from which starts your excursion. You have to transfer in the highest villages so you can easly start you adventure.
- Nicolosi is a village in the southern flank of Etna, and this could be an interesting point for your excursion. From here reach Sapienza Refuge, at 1980 metres.
- Linguaglossa is a village in the northern flank of Etna. From here reach Piano Provenzana, at 1800 metres.
How to reach Piano Provenzana in Linguaglossa?
From Catania take the Catania-Messina highway, exit to Fiumefreddo toll gate and climb toward Linguaglossa for 10 Km along the “Mareneve” road that joins the beach of Fiumefreddo to Piano Provenzana (1800 m sl). It is easy to reach because the road is straight and you can’t go wrong.
How reaching Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi?
From Catania you have to take the ring road and follow the road sign for Paesi Etnei, including the signal for Nicolosi.
After the arrival will be easy continuing until the Refuge (1980 m sl). The road is full of hairpin turns, and the best way to travel is to be aware. But also the travel to reach the Refuge will be an amazing experience, in fact you’ll be immersed in a lunar scenario thanks to the mounds of lava of the past lava’s casts. The desolation and the inhospitality of the area will causes you an unspeakable shudder.
Etna’s Trekking itineraries
Etna is the goal of the best trekking activities. This adventure will be something of unforgettable thanks to the particular landscape.
In fact, Etna’s trekking excursion will offer you variegated attractions: hike along the hidden paths of the pine forests, or climb up to the summit craters. But you can’t miss the visit to the more than 200 grottoes attending in the volcano.
An amazing experience through the enduring ice and the hidden paths along you will walk to reach their entrances. Some excursionist have been here said that Etna is shrouded in mystery.
Can you image what you will feel when during an excursion in the pine forest a blanket of fog suddenly will attend on your route? Or can you image what you’ll feel when during the visit of the summit craters you will hear Etna breathing under your feet? Some loud noise is not rarely during the visit of the craters, but don’t be afraid: Etna doesn’t kill anyone!
1-Case Pietra Cannone – Piano Provenzana
The excursion will pass through a variegated landscape immersed in the pine forest including the view of pine trees, brooms, birch trees.
You if search volcanic attractions you can’t miss the view of Valle del Bove from the Cirasa mount overlooking an amazing landscape. See also the Ladroni grotto and Sartorius mounts, created by the eruption of 1865.
Hiking time: 4/5 hours
Altitude: Middle
Difficulty Level: Middle
Height: 700m.
Equipment:
- Trekking boots
- Windbreaker
- Torch
Average Price: About 26 Euro a person for groups with a minimum number of eight people. The price increases if the number of units decreases.
2 Montagnola – Valle del Bove (Valley of the Oxen)
An itinerary through a colored landscape
Stages:
- Start from Sapienza refuge at 1910 m sl through the last eruption of July 2001.
- Visit the Hornito grotto, whose inside you will find a sauna temperature.
- Hike through the southern flank of Montagnola, along the lava’s mound of eruption of 1763.
- Visit the Grotto of lava flow
- Then arrive in the top of Montagnola at 2640 m sl
Montagnola worth a break to enjoy the unspeakable and breathtaking view: the jonic coast from Messina to Syracuse, Calabria, Eolie archipelago, the metropolitan area of Catania, the Valley of the Oxen and the summit craters.
Start the downward slope along the sandy territory of the Valley of the Oxen. You will see also rocky walls that are testimony of the eruption phenomenon of the past.
- Return to Montagnola through Schiena dell’asino and Pitagora grotto
- Return to Sapienza Refuge
This excursion is suitable to well-fit people, without health problems
Level: middle
Hiking time: 6 hours
Equipment:
- Trekking boots
- Windbreaker
Average Price: About 26 Euro a person for groups with a minimum units of eight people
3 Grotta del Gelo (Grotto of freezing cold) – North Etna (2038 m sl)
To reach the grotto you can hike through beech woods and the lava’s casts of 1614. Pass through the lava desert and then arrive to enter the grotto. Inside you can admire the never-ending ice.
Level: middle
HIking time: 6/8 hours
Equipment:
- Trekking boots
- Windbreaker
- Rope, useful for the descent inside the grotto
Average Price: About 26 Euro a person for groups with a minimum components of eight people
4 Southern slope and summit craters
This is the most interesting itinerary thanks to the eruptions of 2001 and 2002 that changed the south Etna features.
Start from Sapienza Refuge. Climb up by cableway and small omnibus until 2900 metres near Philosopher Tower. From here hike for 1/2 hours to arrive to Bocca Nuova (3250 m sl), a crater opened in 1968. The view of this crater will be terrifying!
Near Bocca Nuova there is the Central Crater, and after a brief and steep slope you’ll arrive to North-East Crater, considered the real summit of Etna at 3340 m of altitude.
The landscape overlooking the east Sicily will be something of unforgettable.
Start the descent through the sandy territory of Valle del Bove, an inhospitable lunar valley 8 km long and 4 km large.
Return to the start point at 1900 m sl.
Hiking time: 5 hours
Level: middle
Equipment:
- Windbreaker in gore-tex for the hard winds
- Glasses against the hard wind blows
- Trekking boots
Height difference: 440 m upgrade – 1400 during the descent
Average Price: 65 Euro a person for groups with 5-10 people. The price includes omnibus and cableway transport
5 Craters at 2100 m of altitude
An easy excursion starting from the Sapienza Refuge through the lava’s cast of November 2002. Arrive to the crater opened in summer of 2001. During the descent pay a visit to the Silvestri craters, originated thanks to the eruption of 1892. Return to Sapienza Refuge.
Hiking time: 2 hours
Level: easy
Height difference: 200 m
6 Etna geological tour
You will visit Grotta del Gelo and the other lava tunnel caves of Piano dei Dammusi.
Site of excursion: Northern slope of Mount Etna and its many marvels
Duration: Full Day including a walk 6/7 hours and 11 km
Description of the itinerary: The itinerary starts from Piano Provenzana in Linguaglossa territory, an area covered with the lava flow from the eruptive crack in 2002.
We will visit the eruptive scenario dating at 1923 eruption and Etna’s most prominent volcanic cone, Mount Nero.
Following the rapidly descending pathway, we arrive at the modest mountain refuge at Mount Timpa Rossa.
After a short break, we cross a magnificent beech grove and we’ll arrive to Passo dei dammusi, a mountain pass covered with characteristic roped lava from the eruption in 1614-1624. Beneath this lava surface, we will explore some of the most striking lava tubes in the Etna, such as Grotta dei Lamponi.
The visit of this cavern will be easy and as an extra safety measure, You receive a safety helmet fitted with an electric headlight. On our way back, we will marvel at more spectacular Etna landscape as we follow the forest track passing the handsome Pinegrove Pineta Ragabo.
Summary of the geological attractions
- Eruptive crack of 2002
- Lava field
- Eruptive crack of 1923
- Mt. Nero volcanic cone (1646 eruption)
- Timpa Rossa mountain refuge and birch wood
- Piano Dei Dammusi mountain pass (a lava field of 1614-24 eruption) and its lava tunnels
- Grotta Dei Lamponi, a volcanic grotto
- Pineta Ragabo, a pine forest in the Etna’s park.
- Lava trees
- Hornitos
- Eruptive cracks
- Cinder cones
- Spatter cones
- Monogenic cones
- Volcanic bombs
- Saddly lava, rope lava, pressure ridges
Average Price: Between 200/80 Euro a person around. Its variation depends of the number of people, the more is the number of participants, the more the price is inferior. Possibility of 30% discount for children under 10 years.
7 Excursion to the continuing Etna eruption
Summit areas and last eruptions: This excursion allows an overview of Etna and its 2002 eruption. The excursion will include the visit of the south side, the summit areas, the eastern and northern slopes.
Duration: 1 full day
Level: easy-middle
This excursion is available when Etna erupts.
By cableway and jeep move from Sapienza Refuge toward the main zone at 2900 m.
Visit the eruptive vents of 2002-03 in the southern side.
After, go to “Belvedere” and take a break to enjoy of the landscape of Etna and its Valle del Bove (Valley of the Oxen).
Return to Rifugio Sapienza by cableway, and move to visit a typical lava tunnel cave, supplied with provided helmets and torches.
Later, move on the other side of the Etna (40 minutes by car) crossing woods and lava fields of the eastern side.
Lunch break. In Piano Provenzana visit the others eruptive vents, created from the eruption of the 2002-03 along the northern slopes.
Afterwards visit the old hornitos of the 1923 eruption and the Mt. Nero (1646 eruption).
Summary of the geological attractions:
- Silvestri mounts
- Eruptive fracture of 2001, vents and lava field
- Eruptive vents and lava flow of 2002-03 eruption (south side)
- Main Craters
- 1792 Lava field and volcanic caves (Grotta Tre Livelli)
- Eruptive fracture, vents and lava flow of 2002-03 eruption (north side).
- Lava trees
- Hornitos
- Eruptive fractures
- Cinder cones
- Spattern cones
- Monogenic cones
- Volcanic bombs
- Slabby lava
- Ropy lava
- Pressure ridges
Safety helmets fitted with an electric headlight are provided by the guides.
Average Price: 1 person 200 Euro – For groups of 5 or 8 person 65 Euro a person – For groups of 9 or 15 people 55 Euro a person
8 Etna tour: Etna’s southern and northern slopes
Duration: full day
Level: easy
You will visit the Etna’s zones hit by the last eruption (2004-05, 2002-03, 2001, 1991-93, 1983).
Along a path on the Etna’s south slope reach Valle del Bove, the famous caldera from which it is possible a view of a huge lava field
From here, will be the view of the main craters, the 1991-93 lava field and the 2004-05 Etna last eruption. Return to the start point by a short trek (2h and 30m).
Excursion includes the visit of a tipical lava tunnel cave, supplied with provided helmet of emergency and torches.
Afterwards, by car move on the northern side crossing woods and lave zones of the eastern side.
Lunch break. Visit the eruptive vents of Piano Provenzana thanks to the eruption of the 2002-03. Then, visit the old hornitos of the 1923 eruption and the Mt. Nero (1646 eruption).
Safety helmets fitted with an electric headlight are provided by the guides.
Average Price: 200 Euro for 1 person – 85 Euro per person for groups of 5-8 people
9 Trekking of Valle del Bove
Duration: full day (7 hours)
Length: 5/6 km
There is the presence of a geologist and of a guide to go with the tourists along the lunar landscape of Valle del Bove. Your excursion will start from Etna’s southern flank along Schiena dell’Asino.
Valle del Bove is a huge caldera formed by the collapse of ancient volcanic walls. The landscape will be something of amazing, the wild and inhospitable scenario of the huge lava field will give you the feeling of being in a lunar soil.
The valley is long 7 km and large 5 km, and the walls surrounding the valley are height 1000m.
From here it is possible enjoying of the view of the summit craters, the village of Taormina and the Calabria region.
Under your feet a huge field of lava emitted during the eruption of 1991-93. The excursion will include trekking along this valley seeing its walls and soil. Different morphologies of lava will be the most interesting of this geologic tour.
Lunch break and start again the adventure walking on a path along a beech wood that will bring you to a water spring. There is the possibility to pay a visit to the grottos attending on Etna.
Average Price: 1 person 200 Euro – For groups of 5 or 8 person 65 Euro a person. For groups of 9 or 15 people 55 Euro per person
Suggestion for other itineraries
Visit to Grotto of Lamponi and Grotto of Palombe
Possible itinerary: Start from Pirao houses, in Randazzo territory. Arrive to lava’s cast of 1981. Then go to Saletti refuge for a break. Reach Santa Maria mount, and after hiking for some hours arrive to Piano dammusi to admire to lava’ cast of 1614-1624, known as the longer of the Etna’s history eruption. Finally here you can visit Grotto of Lamponi.
After this view you can continue your excursion reaching Palombe grotto. After the visit of the grotto start to hike to Brunek Refuge direction. From here you can stop to admire the view of Alcantara valley, Nebrodi mounts and Jonic coast.
Go in the lava’s casts of 1911 and 2002. After having gone beyond this wild scenario reach Ragabo pine forest and then arrive to Brunek Refuge.
The middle level itinerary for a route of 14 km. The duration is between 5/6 hours
Along the lava’s cast of 1981 visiting the Spagnolo mount
Start from Pirao houses and arrive to lava’s cast of 1981, Spagnolo mount and its wonderful beech wood.
Have a break in the Refuge. Start to reach the eruptive mouths of 1981. Hike along the path through a wood of beeches and pines, and then arrive to Saletti Refuge. Go to Cisternazza and return to Piaro houses.
A middle level itinerary of 12 km.
Duration: 4 hours
Visit the Sartorius mounts
This easy route of 4 km allow you to admire the beauty of Etna. A wonderful path along geological and botanical attractions will make your experience something of complete. see also the lava’s cast of 1865 that originated the Sartorius mounts
The volcanic mouths of 2002
Along the route you can’t miss the wonderful scenario of Timpa Rossa and Paino Dammusi
The level is middle, and the complete itinerary needs of 7 hours to hike over along 18 km of path.
Description: Start from the eruptive mouths of 2002. In the first part of the itinerary a lunar scenario will hit you attention thanks to the lavish desert characterizing the territory over 2000 m sl.
Along a volcanic path arrive to Timpa Rossa Refuge, placed inside a wonderful beech wood. Go to Piano Dammusi and admire the old lava’s casts that make this place something of spectacular.
During the descent the scenario changes and a rich vegetation will make more interesting your experience. After having arrived to Saletti Refuge take a break.
Geological notions
The morphology of Etna
Etna’s shape and structure are extremely asymmetric and complex, and classifying the volcano morphologically is impossible. Etna didn’t grow as a single huge cone, but it is the result of the overlap of different volcanic structures that suffered partial collapses during their lifetimes.
Several calderas can be considered as cones with their own morphology, such as Valle del Bove (Valley of the oxen).
Many pyroclastic cones on Etna’s flanks seem to be small volcanoes on their own. You can realize that during a visit on the small or huge edifices heights several hundred meters. This eruptive mouths were produced by flank eruptions, considered the most dangerous of Etna’s eruptive activity.
Eruptive activity
On Etna two types of eruptive activities occur:
- Persistent Explosive eruptions with a minor lava emission. This eruptions occur in the three summit craters: The central Crater, The North-East Crater, The South-East Crater. The magma can take the ash shape or large blocks, called piroclastic.
- Lavish Eruptions, Etna’s flanks events with higher lava emission. This type is less frequently and originates from fissures. The eruption is called strombolian.
- However, Etna’s eruptions are considered effusive type. This means that Etna is not a dangerous volcano because the explosive eruptions are rare.
Formation of the Etna
The Etna has been formed about 80 million years ago, thanks to the collision with the African continent, whose impact gave life to the magma spillage. A submarine eruption occurred, and then embryo of the Etna’s edifice emerged from the sea. In the zone of Acitrezza or Acicastello there are submarine attestations of this ancient phenomenon.
Morphologic features of the Valle del Bove
A few thousand years ago, Etna’s eastern flank undergone a disastrous collapse. A part of the volcanic edifice slid forming a large avalanche of rock that destroyed devastating and burying all what met in its path. This phenomenon produced a huge horseshoe shaped valley known as Valle del Bove (Valley of the oxen). Its north-south width is roughly 5.5 km while its extension from west to east is 8 km.
The western part of the valley is bordered by an imposing wall up to 1000 m high called Serra Giannicola.
In the southern and northern there are spectacular crests hundreds of meters high from where a views of the Valle del Bove and its surroundings it is possible.
Worth a visit crests of the valley:
- The northern crest called Serra delle Concazze
- The southern crest
This one at its lower part it is called Serra del Solfizio, at its higher part it is called Schiena dell’Asino, and it is bordering with the cone of Montagnola, created by an eruption in 1763 (June-September).
About the age of this valley various authors proposed theory: between 5000 and 80.000 years the generation of the Valle del Bove.
The most part of the Valley’s surface is covered by lava casts of 20th century, and thanks to this it is the most hostile and least accessible area on Etna.
The Valle del Bove is an important area for studies of the geological evolution of Etna, thanks to the traces in its walls of many older edifices pre-dating the now active volcano.
The most recent collapse event that created the present shape of the Valle del Bove probably occurred only about 3500 years ago
Etna geological history
The sites where volcanic activity occurred were found on the Hyblean Plateau (Monti Iblei, southeastern Sicily). Here brief eruptive events occurred and represented the prelude to form Etna.
Another phenomenon about the prelude of Etna’s formation is that of volcanism on Catania Plain, consisting in the outcropping of volcanic rocks.
Volcanic activity in the Etnean area began million if years ago. This first activity was similar to the latest Hyblean volcanism, and its products were mainly submarine lavas and volcaniclastics of tholeiitic composition
The volcanism took place in a huge gulf that extended in the area where today Etna is located.
More eruption occurred in this area and the name that scientists gave to this phase is the “Pre-Etnean”.
Another phase is the “Pre-Etnean“, and the most relevant things happened were the localized eruptions that caused the built of a first large stratovolcano. available
The third phase is called Trifoglietto II, and during it several overlapping stratovolcanoes were built. The embryo of Etna started to take form.
The fourth phase is named “Mongibello”, and it’s divided in three stages: Ancient, Recent and Modern Mongibello.
During this phase Etna produced the most distinguished magmas of its entire history.
The growth of the summit Etna’s cone was interrupted about 2000 years ago by a caldera collapse (Piano caldera), because of a rare explosive eruption (called “Plinian”) which probably occurred in the 122 BC.
Etna’s eruption phenomenon in the last thousand years consisted in lava emission and Strombolian activity, and the explosive eruption only in the summit craters.
Cones and craters
Etna’s history has been characterized by many volcanic edifices and by catastrophic collapses of these structures.
We can assert that his construction is the result of many settlement phenomenon.
The number of individual flank eruptive centers is between 250/300.
These are the four craters where summit activity occurs:
- The Voragine
- The Bocca Nuova, that lies in the place of the former Central Crater
- The North-east crater
- The South-east Crater
The summit craters. Etna’s summit is occupied by a complex of large cones including the original Central Crater (now nearly substituted by the two craters called Bocca Nuova and Voragine), the north-east Crater and the south-east Crater.
The latter two craters are fairly recent: the north-east Crater was formed in 1911 and the south-east Crater is dated at 1971.
The Central Crater, the Voragine and Bocca Nuova. Before 1911, the central summit cone was a large structure 250 m high.
It was formed thanks to a collapse of an older summit cone during the 1669 eruption
An eruption from the Central Crater in July 1787 was among the most violent documented eruptions of Etna in historical times, forming lava fountains up to 3000 m high and flows that extended up to 5 km to South-West and West.
In 1968 the new eruptive mouth called “Bocca Nuova” was formed. Its first diameter was 8 metres, but because of a new collapse of its walls the diameter increase to reach the misure of 350 m.
Here, instead, the flank cone of Etna:
- Monte Barca, a prehistoric cone lying in the south of Bronte on Etna’s western flank.
- Monte Moio, Etna’s most remote flank cone. It lies on the northern side of the Alcantara valley and its view it is possible from the Passopisciaro-Solicchiata area on Etna’s northern flank towards the village of Moio. It is composed of two overlapping cones with three craters. Although its age is not known precisely, the youthful shape of the cone suggests that it formed during the last few thousand years.
- Monti Rossi, the large cone formed at the main eruptive phenomenon of the 1669. Today this cone is a public park. The 1669 eruption destroyed the village of Nicolosi, overlaying the entire site with tephra deposits several meters thick.
- Monti Silvestri, Monti Calcarazzi and Montagnola
- Montagnola is a large pyroclastic cone formed in summer 1763. Another eruption built the Monti Calcarazzi crater whose uppermost cones are visible in the right center. In 1892, a six-months long eruption led to form yet another crater row, the Monti Silvestri.
- Monti De Fiore, cones formed in the 1974 eruption, in the western flank of Etna. An eruption in February 1763 (a few months before the Montagnola eruption) built two cones called Monte Nuovo and Monte Mezzaluna. During the period between January and March of 1974, another eruption built two new cones, named Monti De Fiore. The larger of these cones lies at 1650 m sl.
Etna’s eruptive history
The most famous eruption is that of 1669, when lava flowed until the city of Catania, causing serious damages also in other villages.
The lava arrived and surrounded the Ursino castle, and many other structure such as palaces, churches were destroyed.
The eruption of 2002 is remembered for destroying skiing facilities in Piano Provenzano and Sapienza Refuge, today rebuilt and always in alert.
Etna’s eruption activity continuous until our days, in fact in 2006 and 2007 other volcanism was attended on the volcano.
The last eruption is in the current year, the 2008, but the force of this new activity doesn’t worry the population, usual to more dangerous eruption phenomenon.
Lava rock: resource of Etnean people
If you pay a visit to the villages of the city of Catania you will notice the particular material used for edifices’ building. A grey and hard rock is the base of construction of churches, palaces, roads and many other constructions man have to build. Lava stone is the resource of the Catania province, particularly in the northern site of it.
Another use of lava stone is for a decorative scope. This natural resource is worked by artisans called “Scalpellini”, named in this way because the use “scalpellino” to work lava stone. The scalpellini more skilful came from the villages of Milo, Randazzo, Trecastagni, Paternò, example of the Sicilian’s historic preservation.
Etna natural regional park
Mount Etna doesn’t represent only a great attraction only for its eruptions, cones, craters or lava. But it’s also house a wonderful natural park with amazing landscapes. There are Ragabo pine forests, vineyards, mysterious hidden paths inside Etna’ woods.
It will be a particular experience seeing beauty of nature near the destructive scenario of the past eruptions, hear voices of animals and enjoy the peace.
These are the villages belonging to the Park: Adrano, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Bronte, Castiglione of Sicily, Giarre, Linguaglossa, Maletto, Mascali, Milo, Nicolosi, Pedara, Piedimonte Etneo, Ragalna, Randazzo, Sant’ Alfio, Saint Maria di Licodia, Trecastagni, Viagrande, Zafferana Etnea.
The most interesting attractions will be fauna and vegetation.
Many times ago on lived animals such as wolfs, wild boars, red deer, caprioli, daini. Today we can still find the donnola, the ghiro, the curl, the bats, and larger animals like the istrice, the vixen, the wildcat, the rabbit and the lepre. Bird watching is one of the most interesting activity thaks to the presence of the birds such as the sparviero, the gheppio, the hawk, the real Aquila, the owl and many others.
Etna’s vegetation undergoes continuous changes because of the several eruptions that have changed its landscapes. At lower altitudes, there nut forests, apple forests and chestnut trees. At 2000 meters you can find the faggio and the birch; between the 2500 meters and the 3000 meters there is the volcanic desert and the lava’s fields.
Faq and suggestions
It is possible doing guided excursion?
Yes, it is possible. But it is cheaper because the price is divided between the participants.
Is it possible doing excursions of the summit craters with children?
For children younger than 12 years the best place to visit is the north side of the Etna.
Are there buses to reach the main sites of the volcano?
You can reach the main geological attractions by cableway or jeep, but no by bus.
Is it possible to do an excursions during an eruption?
It depends on the base of what eruption occurs. the way toward the eruption are closed for security, but is not rare the Possibility to visit small eruptions events.
In which days is it possible to do an excursion?
The excursions can be practiced every day
Is it possible to do a self-guided tour on the Etna?
No, beyond the 1,900 meters it is restricted to go up without an allowed professional guide. It is advised to prevent risks.
What is the best time to visit Etna?
Etna can be visited all the year. You can practice different touristic activities such as winter sport from December to March.
From March to October the best to do are the many excursions that guides organize through the main geological attractions such as craters, grottos, pine forests, field of lava, Valle del Bove and many others.
Snow can be a serious obstacle to do excursion in the craters and in the higher grottos, for example Grotta del Gelo’s entrance in winter is inaccessible because it is covered by snow.
What’s the weather like on Etna?
Consider that Etna is a height mount with a cold temperature, but lower than other northern Europe’s mounts.
Rain is concentrated during November-December only for few days, but are not are the storm in the highest points. Another thing to consider is the hard wind blow you can meet during an excursion.
How can i organize a tour of the Etna from Taormina?
If you have you means you can arrive in the Rifugio Sapienza square and then meet the guide. You can also take a bus to arrive in Rifugio Sapienza or organize a transfer provided directly by the guide (Until 8 people).
Is it possible reaching summit craters without the cable car?
Yes. You can ask for the jeep 4×4 service in the Rifugio Sapienza.
Is it possible doing Mountain Bike excursions?
Yes, especially in the northern flank because the presence of little cycle tracks near Rovittello in Castiglione di Sicilia territory. But many other natural cycle path you can bike, for example you can climb to the most famous refuge, or you can cycle along the path that take you to some grottos, or you can follow some path inside Etna park.
Who can visit Etna?
To visit Etna it is better to be well fit without health problems. Consider the excursions consist in treks with a length more than 5 km along inhospitable and difficult paths. Then, it is better you are common to do upgrade slopes.
Consider also that respiration is different from places at sea level, in fact in the highest sites the air’s oxygen concentration is different and breathing will be more difficult. For smoker people a suggestion can be that of reducing the number of cigarettes the days before the excursion. It is advised against doing excursion also for people who have knee joint problem because the upgrade slopes.
But remember The highest point of Etna house hard wind blow, so who have serious problem to eyes it is better that take the glasses.
The more difficult excursions are advised against to child younger than 12 years old, but a north Etna excursion can be an easy experience for all ages.
Don’t forget to take with you the equipment:
- Snowshoes, if you go in winter
- Trekking poles
- Trekking boots
- Crampons
- Mountain axes
- Ice axes
- Mountain jackets
- Backpacks
- Ski gear
- Topographic and geologic maps
Accommodations and food
The start points for the excursions will be the Etna’s villages such as Nicolosi, Linguaglossa, Zafferena etnea, Bronte.
After having arrived in Catania, the first you have to do is organize the accommodations in one of this villages, depending on the goal of your excursion. Everyone of this places have bread and breakfasts and hotels full of all services you need.
The breakfast is always included, and the prices are not high. Etna’s excursions will be the opportunity to visit these small and interesting villages, with many attractions.
But maybe the most interesting will be the local food you can taste after a hard excursion’s day.
The sausage and the red wine of Linguaglossa. The Pistachio of Bronte, used for pasta and for pastries such as cannoli.
The pastries and Gelato of Nicolosi, but also the many restaurants attending here to taste all kinds of local food such as Pasta alla norma (pasta, tomato and aubergines), pizza, caponata and many others. Taste also the “Siciliana” of Zafferana, a particular fried closed pizza dressed with “Tuma cheese” and anchovies.
If your trip is in October, you can visit the feast of “Ottobrata of Zafferana”, an exposition of local food, Sicilian liquors, music shows and all the shops opened until midnight.
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