Etna

The highest active volcano in Europe dominates the whole region with its size. The spectacular eruptions, the fiery lava flows, have always attracted the interest of scientists and the curiosity of visitors from all over the world. A unique destination for summer hikers visiting the active craters in the summit areas, this volcano offers in winter the amazing possibility of practicing snow sports just a few kilometers from the sea.

 

The hiking tours climb along the paths of the Park, through woods and verdant orchards, up to the highest altitudes with fascinating views of lunar landscapes, ancient lava flows, caves and active fumaroles, revealing the charm of this extraordinary natural oasis, already inserted in 2013 in the World Heritage List (UNESCO) as one of the "most emblematic and active volcanoes in the world".

 

Guided excursions on the Etna

 

The summit areas can be reached from the slopes of Etna sud and Etna Nord. Both sides offer means for climbing to the craters: a panoramic cableway and 4 × 4 mini-buses from the Sapienza Refuge Square (20 km from Nicolosi) and Piano Provenzana (19 km from Linguaglossa).

 

Etna Sud - Nicolosi site: Departure from the Sapienza Refuge Square. Possibility to get on the 4X4 cable car and / or minibus (organized by the Funivia dell'Etna Spa company) - Tel. 095 914141 - 095 914142 funiviaetna.com Gruppo Guide Alpine Etna Sud Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 43 - Nicolosi. Tel. 095 7914755 / Fax 095 7916916 etnaguide.eu

 

Etna Nord - Linguaglossa site: Departure from Piano Provenzana with minibus 4X4 (by the company STAR) - Tel. 347 4957091 - 346 6002176 Alpine Guides Group Etna Nord Piazza A. Castrogiovanni, 19 - Linguaglossa Tel. 095 7774502 - Cell. 348 0125167 www.guidetnanord.com

 

Visit to the caves: Possibility of visiting many caves. Among the most famous caves: of the Gelo, of the Lamponi, of the Ladroni, of Serracozzo.

 

Trekking:

You can make excursions throughout the year, on routes suitable for beginners and experts. Etna offers everything: from easy paths that can be traveled even by children or people not used to walk, to demanding itineraries at high altitude, with steep gradients, even for several days.

 

Snowshoeing (snowshoes):

In winter, snowshoe hikes on Etna are unforgettable. Walking with snowshoes on the volcano while noises or "snorts", observing the blue sea from above, is an incomparable spectacle.

 

Ski mountaineering excursions:

When snow is present, it is always feasible and there is no danger of avalanches!

 

Mountain bike routes:

There are countless paths to be followed by mountain biking, from the easiest routes suitable for everyone and at all ages to the more demanding ones that go along the slopes of the volcano. One of the best known is the Pista Altomontana that, from the south slopes of the volcano, from Piano Vetore, comes from the west up to the north side, to the Ragabo Pineta, near Piano Provenzana.

 

Etna Nord donkey rides - Etnadonkey A donkey pace along the Etna paths, a new way to let people know the wonders of this "mountain", in the company of docile, strong, and faithful donkeys. www.etnadonkeys.com Tel: (+39) 349 3065136 Tour of Etna with the Circumetnea railway, for incurable romantic only ... Departure from Catania- Borgo station Arrival at Riposto. Information: Circumetnea Via Caronda 352 / A - Catania www.circumetnea.it

 

Contrada Serra La Nave - Mount Etna south - Provincial road 92 Nicolosi - Etna. Reservations: Tel. +39 095 911580/095 7332312 www.oact.inaf.it Monte Serra Park - The Butterfly House

 

Trails, ski slope in synthetic turf, equipped areas. Viagrande (CT) - Tel. +39 095.7890768 - 347.0415868 www.parcomonteserra.it Botanic Garden Nuova Gussonea by the Department of Botany - University of Catania. Contrada Serra La Nave - Mount Etna south Provincial road 92 Nicolosi Reservations guided tours: turrisirosario@yahoo.it - epolimar@unict.it