Mount Etna

Cablecar Tours

Ascend to the summit of the craters of Mount Etna, one of the most coveted excursions a hiker can make. Hike in full safety with an authorized alpine and volcano guide, and marvel at the beauty and wonder of the highest active volcano in Europe.   Depart from Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi, and ascend 2,504 meters by cable car. Then, ride in a 4x4 Jeep up to 2,900 meters, to begin your hike. You’ll hike 1.5 hours uphill, passing many craters and taking long pauses to take pictures and rest. Experience the incredible feeling of being on top of the world in this rocky, beautiful landscape with the giant sky above you. After reaching the summit, descend for 2 hours back to the cable car, which will take you to your departure point.

Enjoy a physical challenge with rewarding views on this guided climb to the top of Etna. Take breaks along the way and take unique photos of the summit craters. After the initial briefing at the mobile information point, your hike will begin, up to the top of Mount Etna at 3,300 meters. Take the cable car to quickly gain altitude up to 2,500 meters and then with special 4x4 minibuses, climb up to 2,900 meters, near Torre del Filosofo. During the 2-hour ascent, take 2-3 intermediate breaks to enjoy the view. Travel through the lunar-looking lava fields that will lead you below the summit craters. With a last challenging climb, reach the top of Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe. Admire the peculiarities of the summit area with its craters and frequent activity Downhill for the return, visit other ancient craters, a lava flow channel, the Valle del Bove and take the cable car back to the starting point.

Your expert guide will pick you up at your accommodation in Catania, or another central location, around 8:30 AM. The guide will drive you to Rifugio Sapienza where you will the cable car to 2500 meters. Here, a 4x4 vehicle will take you to 2950 meters. With the guide, enjoy the magnificence of the volcano in front of the impressive Central and South-Eastern Craters, which are surrounded by ancient and recent lava flows. Return to Rifugio Sapienza to head in the direction of Monte Nero Degli Zappini. Take a nature walk with your guide to discover the geological and botanical aspects of Etna. Stop for a delicious lunch of authentic Sicilian baked goods accompanied by water and Mount Etna wine. In the afternoon, you will visit a volcanic cave and use helmets and torches to safely explore the depth of the volcano. Your expert guide will teach you some basic information about speleology and the fascinating phenomenon related to eruptions.

Embark on this off-road minibus, cable car, and climbing tour and see the peak of Etna in all her majesty. Follow your volcanological guide on an adventure to uncover the secrets of this active volcano. Be picked up on south side of the volcano north of Nicolosi. Sit back and enjoy the scenic drive up to the cable car. Take in the views of the countryside as take the cable car up. Board a special off-road minibus to reach 2900m above sea level. Begin your walk to 3300 meters with an authorized volcanological guide. From this altitude, you can admire the impressive summit of Etna and view the colors and formations of its active craters. Learn about the history and geology of the volcano from your guide. Explore the craters of recent eruptions during your descent on foot to 2500 meters where you will board the cable car once more before transferring back to the meeting point.

Reach the summit area of Etna, ascending 2750 meters by either cableway or off-road vehicle on this tour from Taormina. Hike the base of the active craters with a naturalistic guide, experience the lunar landscapes, and savor a typical Sicilian lunch with local wine and drinks. Begin your tour with a pickup from your accommodation (or close vicinity in Taormina and the surrounding area). You'll travel in a small group of no more than 8 people for a more intimate and personalized experience. Drive to Mount Etna where you'll start the ascent to the summit area (2750-2800 meters of altitude). Depending on the availability and the circumstances, in order to guarantee an optimal service, the ascent can be carried out either by cableway or off-road vehicles only. Once at the summit area, enjoy light trekking with a volcanological guide and a naturalistic guide. Walk through a desert of black ashes and extinct craters, while admiring the lunar landscape and the spectacular view of the active craters from a close distance. Back at 2000 meters, you'll be given the proper equipment, such as helmets and torches, to visit one of the striking lava caves of the volcano. Then, enjoy a typical Sicilian light lunch with local wine and drinks during the midday break. Finally, you'll admire the Alcantara Gorges created when thick lava flows invaded the bed of the icy river Alcantara, giving rise to geometrically perfect rocks.

Europe’s highest active volcano is studied extensively by scientists and is popular with trekkers and nature lovers as well. Visit Mount Etna and the clifftop village of Taormina on this 11-hour excursion from Palermo. From Crateri Silvestri you’ll take the funicular with a local mountain guide all the way up to 2,500 meters above sea level. From this point you’ll experience unforgettable panoramic views. Just south of Taormina is the nature reserve of Isola Bella, and further south you’ll see the popular seaside resort of Giardini Naxos. Visit the village of Taormina, a 45-minute drive from Mount Etna. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ionian Sea, the village features an ancient Greek theater, many old churches, antique shops, lively bars and fine restaurants.

After being picked up from your accommodation in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, set off in the direction of Mount Etna. Embark on an adventurous drive up to the volcano, passing by the small towns of Pedara, Nicolosi, and Zafferana Etnea and cold lava fields. Reach the Rifugio Sapienza Etna starting point where the next portion of the tour begins. Your English-speaking guide will explain to you the most interesting phenomena of the active volcano and about the plants and animals of the region. Climb into a cable car and soar up to an altitude of 2500 m. Next, continue upwards to 2900m in a special jeep. Explore the area at the foot of the main crater known as Torre del Filosofo. Marvel at the stunning views over the Mediterranean Sea if it is a clear day. During a 40-minute tour of the area, your expert alpine/volcanology guide will explain all about the geology of the area and how the hot smoking craters were formed after the 2002-2003 eruption.  After this, return to the Rifugio Sapienza to enjoy a traditional Sicilian lunch at a chalet. Once you've filled your belly, get kitted up with helmets and flashlights and begin on an unforgettable adventure inside a real lava cave. At the end of the tour,  you will be driven back to your accommodation in Catania or Taormina.

From the meeting point at Funivia dell'Etna, you’ll start the day by catching the cable car and bus to the trailhead. After trekking for about 2 kilometers, you will reach the western portion of the summit crater terrace where it is possible to admire the stateliness of the Central Crater. The trekking will continue along the crater wall before starting downhill on the steep path constituted by ash and volcanic scoria along the southern portion of the summit. Complete the extraordinary journey back to Rifugio Sapienza by cable car.

Explore the volcanic landscapes of Etna with a Alpine volcanological guide on this private tour. Reach the Bocca Nuova and Barbagallo craters and learn more about the volcano that has shaped Sicily. Be greeted by your guide in front of the Etna cableway ticket office at an altitude of 1900 meters. Have a short briefing with your guide and purchase cable car and 4x4 bus tickets to the summit area at 2900 meters. Take in views of the mountain as you travel to 2900 meters where you will stop and begin your hike to 3300 meters. Climb between sand and lava flows until you arrive at the Bocca Nuova crater. Stop to enjoy views of the crater and Sicily. Descend toward the Barbagallo craters and continue towards Valle del Bove. Observe a valley formed by the collapse of a series of ancient eruptive events.