Etna Volcano
general information & how to explore

Etna, Point of Interest

Etna Volcano | South Side | Ascent to the TOP by Rifugio Sapienza

Etna Volcano | North Side | Ascent to the TOP by Piano Provenzana

Etna South Side | Alcantara Gorges

Mount Etna is an important Sicilian highlights and it is an active volcano located on the east cost of Sicily. It is the largest volcano in Europe, reaching a height of approximately 3,326m (10,910 ft) above sea level. Etna covers an area of 1190 sq km (460 sq miles), which the base circumference of about 140km. This makes it the largest active volcano in Italy.  
The ancient Greeks believed it to be the home of Vulcan, the god of fire - to them, Mount Etna erupting merely meant Vulcan was forging weapons for Mars, the god of war.
The fertile volcanic soil supports extensive agriculture. Vineyards and orchards spread across the lower slopes of the mountain and the broad Plain of Catania to the south side of Sicily. In this side there are a multitude of vineyards and olive groves. As you climb higher, the lowlands evolve into dense woods sheltering a surprisingly large number of animal species that call the mountainside home, until you are left at the third tier of the mountain, a spartan wasteland of historic lava flows and volcanic ash. Dotted with snow most of the year, some of the lava is dated at 300,000 years old. 

Introduction: Mount Etna does not represent a great attraction exclusively for the presence of its eruptions. It’s also a wonderful natural park with evocative landscapes. The are forests green of the vineyards and beautiful walking paths for excursions on Etna. It’s easy to walk in the park and fell the nature renaissance into the destructive scenery of the past eruptions hear voices of animals and enjoy the peace. The vegetation of the Etna-North is subject to continuous changes due to the several eruptions that have changed its landscapes. At lower altitudes there nut forests apple forests and chestnut trees; At 2000 meters there are the faggio and the birch; between the 2500 meters and the 3000 meters there is the volcanic desert.

Understand: The mountain has an amazing volcanic landscape, with solidified "rivers" of lava. It is used for skiing in winter, so be prepared for the cold at this altitude, even in summer. Even in good weather in summer, sometimes the top of the mountain is covered in cloud, especially during the afternoon, obscuring the wonderful views. We strictly recommend to visit the Etna Volcano during the morning.

Equipment: Whether aiming for high or low altitudes, it is important to remember that temperatures can plummet even here in Sicily. It is therefore advisable to carry a thick sweater, a wind-cheater and appropriate footwear --preferably hiking boots suitable for walking through snow higher up--. Those arriving without suitable attire can, however, hire jackets and boots locally (subject to availability). It is also advisable to have sun glasses and sun screen to hand for the sunlight can be dazzling when reflected off the snow and the ultra-violet can be deceptively powerful in the clear mountain air.

How to Ascent to the TOP: a climb up the volcano can be approached from the South or the North.
Both routes offering different views and contrasting qualities:
ascent from the south side
AAA: the route from Nicolosi to Rifugio Sapienza (Etna South | 1.900 meters) is through a barren, black and desert really similar to a lunar sceneries.
Upon arrival to Rifugio Sapienza (Etna South) we can:
1) ascent the volcano up to 2.500 meters
from Rifugio Sapienza we can catch on the first cable car ride (Cable Car fee: eur 28,30 per person payable on the spot) up to 2.500 meters (Montagnola). Upon arrival at 2500 meters we can walk around or hiking or just take a cappuccino at the bar overlooking the area.
2) ascent the volcano up to 2.920 meters
from Rifugio Sapienza we can take the cable car ride up to 2.500 meters. Upon arrival at 2500 meters (Montagnola) we can walk around or hiking or just take a cappuccino at the bar overlooking the area. Then on board on the UNI-MOG (mini-coach WD4X4) to reach 2.800 meters with Etna Guide (Cable Car & Uni Mog fee: eur 55,00 per person payable on the spot).
ascent from the north side
BBB: the route from Piano Provenzana (Etna North | 1.950 meters) is definitely green with lovely landscape.
Upon arrival to Piano Provenzana (Etna North) we can:
1) ascent the volcano up to 2.800 meters
from Piano Provenzana we can catch on the STAR UNI-MOG (mini-coach WD4X4) to reach 2.800 meters with Etna Guide (Uni Mog fee: eur 55,00 per person payable on the spot).

Etna Volcano | South Side: Ascent to the TOP by Rifugio Sapienza up 2.920 m.

Ascent From Rifugio Sapienza (Etna south)
There are various ways of approaching the southern slopes of the volcano, which is the bleaker side, where concentrations of black lava form a lunar-like landscape. All along the edge runs a ring of little towns, where dark lava stone has been largely used to pave streets, to ornament the doorways and windows of the houses, to fashion awesome black masks with exaggerated menace and to articulate the lines of the churches. On arrival to Rifugio Sapienza at approx 1900 m, we find the Funivia dell'Etna-Etna cable car ride. The transport service of the cableway is functional almost year round (weather permitting), offering you the breathtaking sensation of Mt. Etna, the tallest volcano in Europe. The cable-car begins at 1900 m. (at Rifugio Sapienza) above sea level on Mt. Etna, then arrives at Montagnola, which is 2.500 mt., to a position from which it is possible to access to the ski posts in winter and the crater excursions all year long. From here, the guided excursions by UNI-MOG (coach 30 seats WD4x4) commence, going to the crater summits of the volcano from March until November, while acting as skier transport for the remaining months of the year, snow permitting!
(RECAP) - The Cableway Station has a cable-car which leaves from the height of 1900 m. above sea level.
We have two different way to ascent to the TOP:
-Up to 2.500 mt
From Rifugio Sapienza catch on the first cable car ride to the Montagnola (up to 2.500 mt.). On arrival you can rest or walk around on your own or enjoy a cappuccino in a local bar overlooking the area.
COST: Cable car fee: eur 29,00 per person payable on the spot.
-Up to 2.920 mt (not feasible from December to March 15)
From Rifugio Sapienza catch on the first cable car ride to the Montagnola (up to 2.500 mt.). On arrival you can rest or walk around on your own or enjoy a cappuccino in a local bar overlooking the area. Then on board on the UNI-MOG (mini-coach WD4X4) to reach 2.800 meters with Etna Guide.
COST:Cable Car & Uni Mog fee: eur 55,00 per person payable on the spot.
 

OUR COLLECTIVE EXCURSIONS:

from Taormina
-Etna Excursion | Full Day
-Etna Train, Round & Alcantara | Full Day
-Etna Valley & Alcantara | Full Day
-Etna Sunset | Half Day

OUR PRIVATE EXCURSIONS
from Messina & Taormina:
-Etna & Taormina | Full Day
-Etna & Winery | Full Day
-Etna Ascent | Full Day

-Inquiry us to customize

OUR SHORE EXCURSIONS:

from Messina Port
-Etna Volcano & Taormina | Full Day
-Scenic Etna & Taormina | Full Day
-Inquiry us to customize
from Catania Port
-Etna Volcano | Half Day
-Etna Volcano & Taormina | Full Day
-Scenic Etna & Taormina | Full Day
-Inquiry us to customize
from Taormina-Giardini Naxos Port
-Etna Volcano | Half Day
-Etna Volcano & Taormina | Full Day
-Scenic Etna & Taormina | Half Day
-Scenic Etna & Taormina | Full  Day
-Inquiry us to customize

Etna Volcano | North Side: Ascent to the TOP by Piano Provenzana up 2.800 m.

Ascent From Piano Provenzana (Etna north)
by walking to arrive on the summit Crater. This is a beautiful tour because it's possible to admire forests and lava sceneries.

ETNA PARK - PIANO PROVENZANA (Linguaglossa):
The village of Linguaglossa is the best base for excursions on the north side of Etna. Its name, literally translating as “tongue” both in Italian (lingua) and in Greek (glossa), refers, according to an intriguing hypothesis, to its hot position on the slopes of the volcano, many times invaded by its lava. It was supposedly founded by survivors of Naxos as apparently attest some Greek relics unearthed by the Ficheri creek. In the central piazza is the Mother Church dedicated to the Madonna delle Grazie. Its façade combines lava and sand stone. Inside it has three naves adorned with two beautiful paintings attributed to Olivo Sozzi and a 1700’s carved wooden choir where are illustrated scenes from the life of Jesus Christ.

Linguaglossa is within easy reach of the A18 Catania-Messina motorway, exiting at the Fiumefreddo junction and taking the S.S. 120 for circa 11 km in the direction of Randazzo.

From Linguaglossa you access Piano Provenzana. Piano Provenzana is the main ski resort on Etna and it’s the center for excursions and walks on Etna’s northern side.

From here we can reach up to 2.800 meters altitude with UNI-MOG-STAR-off-road vehicles following a track laced with vast, suggestive extents of lava and black lava sand along the chasms which opened during the eruption of 2002. At the height it is possible to admire this extraordinary panorama that only Mt Etna can offer. From the foot of Mt. Etna you can admire that splendid mountain rangers of: the Peloritani, the Nebrodi and those of Madonie, the perimeters of which are surrounded by the Jonica and Tyrrhenian Coasts, from the Syracuse Coasts to Calabria's and from Taormina to the Aeolian Islands. Here the scenery of Mt. Etna offers one of the most breathtaking views in all the world! It is possible to observe, in the context of a typical moonlit landscape, the numerous fuming chasms caused by the eruptions dating from 1923 to 2002 and the lava flows from the eruptions from 1956 to that of 2002. At the height of 2,800 meters, you will found a vast panoramic view of the plain called "Piano delle Concazze", which is dominated by the Northern Crater, where on the track of land called "Pizzi Deneri there is the Volcanic Observatory. On a clery day, from this point it is possible to appreciate the Leone and Bove Valleys below. The Bove Valley -- a black and desolate chasm (5km/3mi wide) surrounded on three sides by rock walls 600- 1,200m/1,980-3,960ft high -- extends from north to south a full 8 Km, and from east to west 5 Km. From Piano delle Concazze, the excursion continues to the summit, up to the authorized area permitted by local authorities.
COST:Uni Mog STAR fee: eur 55,00 per person payable on the spot.
 

OUR REGULAR EXCURSIONS:

from Taormina
-Etna Jeep Ride | Full Day
-Etna Quads

OUR PRIVATE EXCURSIONS:

-Inquiry us to customize
 

Etna Volcano | South Side: Alcantara Gorges

The River & The Alcantara Gorges: The charm, the suggestion, the beauty of its several "Gole", famous all over the world. About 50 km of fluvial environment with unique and unusual naturalistic aspects. Particular intense geological and geothermic events have determined the structure of the current basalts. It seems that in the prehistorically period a river ran over clayey sediments; then great volcanic eruptions canalized in the riverbed a fluid magma which sank in the most clayey places, forming the current basaltic colonnades. The apotheosis of these spectacular natural sculptures can be found in the quarters Larderia in the Town of Motta Camastra. Looking from above the famous Gola dell'Alcantara-Alcantara Gorges, it is possible to suppose the contemporary fracture of the soil in the geothermic period. The scene of the Gole (also those of Francavilla di Sicilia in the quarter Passerella and Castiglione di Sicilia in the quarter Mitogio) has on the tourists from all over the world a great charm.
COST: Alcantara Gorges Admission Fee: eur 10,00 per person payable on the spot.
 

OUR COLLECTIVE EXCURSIONS:

from Taormina
-Etna Train, Round & Alcantara | Full Day
-Etna Valley & Alcantara | Full Day
-Etna Quads
 

OUR PRIVATE EXCURSIONS:

-Inquiry us to customize

OUR REGULAR EXCURSIONS:

from Taormina
-Etna Jeep Ride | Half Day
-Etna Jeep Ride | Full Day