Etna Hikes & Walks
“The beast is quiet. It sleeps at the bottom, deep down. Only the heavy smoke escapes from the prodigious chimney.”
In 1885, the writer Guy de Maupassant embarks on a journey to discover Sicily, he does not fail to explore Mount Etna.
Brief history of Etna…
Etna began its activity about 500,000 years ago. It is also called Mongibello and by the inhabitants Mamma Etna.
It is formed by 4 summit craters that are not the only ones to produce lava flows, in fact there are about 300 lateral craters and many lava flow caves, which have helped shape the landscape.
The activity is either explosive and effusive, the two activities alternate and for this reason the volcano is alive.
In 1987 the Etna Park was created to protect biodiversity. It has an area of 590 km2 spread over 20 municipalities in the Città Metropolitana of Catania.
It is possible to hike on the different slopes of Mount Etna, every side is a witness of its beauty and power.
Etna for Everyone
- 4-5 hours
- Easy - moderate level
- Small group
- All seasons
- North/South/West side of Etna
- Dogs allowed
Come and live your adventure with an expert Nature Guide.
During the half-day Etna Walking tour it is possible to experience and know Etna by combining elements tailored for you, such as:
- Scenic walks on old and new lava flows;
- Visits to ancient side craters and lava bombs;
- Visits to lava flow caves;
and of course
- the Discovery of endemic fauna and flora;
- the History, Mythology and Geology of Etna.
- Lava flows;
- Flow cave;
- Extinct craters;
- Different geological formations;
- Flora and Fauna;
- Breathtaking scenery;
- Possibility to taste local products.
- North side of Etna (near the Citelli Refuge or Ragabo Refuge) – to be agreed according to the excursion proposed and chosen;
- South side of Etna near Refuge Sapienza or in the surroundings, to be agreed according to excursion proposed.
- West side of Etna in the territory of the Adrano village.
- Distance: between 6 km and 12 km
- Difference in altitude: according to the excursion
- Level: Easy/Moderate
- Time: Half day (5 hours)
- Period: All year.
“There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.”
Clothing and Equipment
Always recommended to dress with the “onion” technique.
-a short or long sleeve t-shirt,
– a fleece, a sweater, a warm shirt,
-a mountain jacket (depending on the season), in summer a windbreaker/k-way;
- Gloves, cap, neck-warmer;
- Sunglasses;
- Hiking shoes.
- A backpack with water (1.5 lt), snack, meal, sunscreen.
Etna for Explorers
- 7 hours
- Intermediate Challenging Level
- Small group
- All seasons
- North/South Etna side
Come live your adventure with an expert Nature Guide.
The full day hike gives you the opportunity to visit lava flows, side craters, Flow caves, but also to explore different landscapes that are unique in the world: lunar and desert almost Martian, but also rich in wood, in flowers and meadows.
You can discover many geological formations that are the results of volcanic activity.
Good physical preparation is required.
- Lava flows;
- Flow cave;
- Extinct craters;
- Different geological formations;
- Flora and Fauna;
- Breathtaking scenery;
- Possibility to taste local products.
- North side of Etna (near the Citelli Refuge or Ragabo Refuge) – to be agreed according to the excursion proposed and chosen;
- South side of Etna near Refuge Sapienza or in the surroundings, to be agreed according to excursion proposed.
- West side of Etna in the territory of the Adrano village.
- Distance: between 12 km and 20 km
- Difference in altitude: according to the excursion;
- Level: Intermediate- Challenging.
- Time: Full Day (7 hours)
- Period: All year round.
“There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.”
Clothing and Equipment
Always recommended to dress with the “onion” technique.
-a short or long sleeve t-shirt,
– a fleece, a sweater, a warm shirt,
-a mountain jacket (depending on the season), in summer a windbreaker/k-way;
- Gloves, cap, neck-warmer;
- Sunglasses;
- Hiking shoes.
- A backpack with water (1.5 lt), snack, meal, sunscreen.
Etna THE ORIGIN
- 4/5 hours
- Easy Level
- Small group
- All seasons
- Along the Ionian coast
- Dogs allowed
This hiking tour tells of how Fire meets Sea.
It is a tour dedicated to the most curious who want to know the origin of Etna.
The first eruptions of Etna took place about 570,000 years ago and were underwater, this phase is known as pre-Etnean phase.
Today it is possible to admire the various events along seaside villages (Aci Castello, Aci Trezza, La Timpa of Acireale).
- Aci Castello Lava pillows;
- Aci Trezza basalt column;
- Acireale centre and Santa Maria La Scala village (Nature Reserve La Timpa).
Aci Castello: to be agreed.
- Distance: 6 km
- Difference in altitude: max 100 mt
- Level: Easy
- Time: Hald day (5 Hours)
- Period: All year round.
“There is no bad weather, only bad clothes.”
Clothing and Equipment
Always recommended to dress with the “onion” technique.
-a short or long sleeve t-shirt,
– a fleece, a sweater, a warm shirt,
-a mountain jacket (depending on the season), in summer a windbreaker/k-way;
- Gloves, cap, neck-warmer;
- Sunglasses;
- Hiking shoes.
- A backpack with water (1.5 lt), snack, meal, sunscreen.
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