Catania

Winter activities

Ascend to the summit of the craters of Mount Etna, one of the most coveted excursions a hiker can make. Hike with a volcanic guide and marvel at the beauty and wonder of Europe's highest active volcano. Explore a lava tunnel and the Valle del Bove. Meet your guide at the local partner's office below the Etna South cable car station. You'll take the cable car up to 2,504 meters and begin your hike. Start trekking towards the northwest, passing through areas affected by the major 2002/2003 eruption, surrounded by the lunar-like landscape that characterizes the region. During the hike, you'll take long breaks to take photos and rest. Continue your experience through a lava flow channel and proceed to the summit area, reaching the highest point permitted based on volcanic activity monitoring. Here, you can safely take a few pictures admire the active craters, and if the weather is favorable, enjoy views of the entire eastern coastline, from Calabria to Taormina and all the way to Syracuse. Walk across the craters from the 2002/2003 eruption and descend on volcanic sand to the Belvedere of the Valle del Bove, considered the best panoramic point on Mount Etna. This spectacular volcanic depression dates back approximately 9,000 years! Then you will march back to 2,500 mt and take the cable car back to the Rifugio Sapienza. The tour may be subject to changes due to volcanic risks or weather conditions. Experience the incredible feeling of being on top of the world in this rocky, beautiful landscape with the giant sky above you.

A valid alternative to the summit craters is the 3,000m Etna excursion. You go up by cable car up to 2,500 meters, then by 4x4 up to 2800 meters. From here begins the path on foot up to 3000 meters. It will be possible to observe the summit craters, then we will stop on a lateral crater (barbagallo at about 3000 meters). You will admire the recent lava flows (1-December-2023) until you reach the inside of a lava channel. We will visit an effusive vent (2002 eruption) and from here we will descend by foot to reach the Cable Car sation along the sandbanks to the mound from where we will observe the Bove Valley, admiring, on fine days, a view that sweeps from the Ionian Riviera to the interior of Sicily. Duration: 3 hours walking / 5 hours total tour. Departures at 9,30 and 10,30, the meeting point is inside our lodge 45 minutes before the departure (we can wait for those arriving by bus AST from Catania, just let us know!!). Meeting Point Shelter Alpine Guides Etna Sud, next to the hotel Rifugio Giovanni Sapienza

Hike to the top of Europe's tallest active volcano with a volcanologist guide. Discover the views from the summit craters, explore a lava tunnel and the Valle del Bove. Meet your guide at the local partner's office opposite the station of the southern Etna cableway. From the top of the cable car you will cross lunar landscapes aboard a 4x4 up to an altitude of 2850-meters in the Torre del Filosofo area. Begin your trek until we reach the edge of the Bocca Nuova (3300-meters) a crater which opened in 1968, one of the most impressive in the area. Stroll to the top and enjoy 360° panoramas and, if the weather permits, see as far as the Aeolian Islands and almost all of northern Sicily. Descend from the summit craters and pass through the craters of the 2002 eruption, then walk down a fun descent of volcanic sand and admire the volcanic amphitheater of the Valle del Bove, a spectacular caldera 8 km long and 4 km wide. Return by cable car to the starting point. The tour may be subject to changes due to volcanic risk or weather conditions

Enjoy an adventurous day trip to Mount Etna, including free roundtrip transfers from Catania. Best of all, customize your tour according to your needs, choosing from either a private or small-group experience in a choice of languages. Explore the volcano’s ancient craters, a lava flow cave, and try some local products, while taking in some breathtaking panoramic views along the way. Start your day with a free pickup from your Catania accommodation in an air-conditioned minivan. Digest some fun facts about the volcano from your professional guide as you drive 2000 meters up. Hear about everything from the volcano’s natural resources, memorable landscapes, and flora, to lava flows that have swallowed roads and buildings in past spurts of activity. Once you reach 2000 meters up, take a guided walk around the ancient craters, recent lava flows, and other-worldly landscape. Rest easy as the trek is an easy one, suitable for both families with younger children and older family members. Enjoy the tasting of Sicilian "cantucci" biscuits and "zibibbo" wine. After a short break, head to your next stop — a lava flow cave. Using a helmet and flashlight, you’ll discover the cave’s origins and stand-out features in ample time with your guide. Your last stop is a panoramic viewpoint at Monte Pomiciaro, granting you unforgettable views and photo opportunities over the Valle del Bove, the volcano’s most important valley. If the sunset option is selected, take in breathtaking views of Etna during 'Golden Hour'. After your volcanic adventure, head back to Catania, where your tour will conclude.

Trek to the summit of Mount Etna on a once-in-a-lifetime hike led by certified mountain guides. Ride a cable car, take advantage of breathtaking photo stops of the summit craters, and soak up the striking volcanic landscapes that stretch out before you. Meet your guide and set off on your hiking adventure from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza (Etna South). Ride a cable car and Jeep 4x4 2,800 meters up and begin a roughly 2-hour hike through lava flows and lunar-like volcanic landscapes to Etna's summit craters. Take a stroll on the rim of the Central Crater with spectacular views of the vertiginous Northeast Crater and the infamous Southeast Crater, responsible for the most recent and impressive eruptions. In addition to the vastness of the summit craters, be amazed at the otherworldly volcanic environment with gas emissions, volcanic bombs, and the sparkling colors of the ground due to the sublimation of various elements, including sulfur in particular. During the descent, visit the Barbagallo craters and cross a lava flow channel. Once again, at 2500 m, climb aboard the Etna cable car and return to the starting point. Remember that we are always talking about an active volcano, so there may be variations in the itinerary if necessary.

Discover the fascinating landscapes of Etna’s northern slope on a guided tour. Enjoy the impressive views of Etna’s foothills, see up close and touch ancient lava flows, admire craters still in activity, and appreciate a typical Sicilian landscape with its crops and rural villages. Stop for a lunch break at a local etnean restaurant and take a more relaxing turn with a visit to the refreshing Alcantara Gorges lava canyon. Start your tour with pickup from an arranged meeting point in locations such as Taormina, Giardini Naxos, Catania, and Linguaglossa. Travel by SUV or minivan (up to 8 passengers/vehicle) to the first stop of your tour, an off-road route to the massive 2002 eruption lava front, the largest eruption of recent times which destroyed the Piano Provenzana ski facilities and part of the Ragabo Pine Forest. Pass through the Ragabo Forest, following the Mareneve road, and reach the starting point of the trek to the Monti Sartorius craters near Rifugio Citelli. Enjoy a hike of easy difficulty, suitable for everyone, on a route about 3 km long, starting from an altitude of 1665 m and arriving at an altitude of about 1775 m. Hike along a characteristic Etnean path, among white birch trees and "button" side crater (“bottoniera”), the Sartorius Craters, on the northeastern slope of Etna. Reach several vantage points with unique and spectacular views of Calabria and the Aeolian Islands. Explore an Etna volcanic cave after your trek to the Sartorius, the Grotta dei Ladroni (also called Grotta delle Nevi). Equip yourself with the helmet and flashlight we will provide and venture inside this lava flow tunnel to discover its formation and history. This lava flow tunnel was partially excavated by man, as evidenced by the date engraved on a stone on top of the entrance: 1776. Learn how Etna’s inhabitants used this cave in centuries past to store snow in the winter months, later reselling it in the warmer months. Stop at an Etnean restaurant to rest and enjoy a delicious meal: a first course dish, water and coffee are included in the price. Continue to the Alcantara Valley, passing through Castiglione di Sicilia, one of the “most beautiful villages in Italy”, with features similar to a medieval village, famous for its wineries producing excellent Etna wines. Visit the Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges, located in the “Alcantara River Park”. Admire the Gorges, which are a fascinating natural lava canyon excavated by the Alcantara River through lava flows of ancient times. Descend inside the Alcantara Gorges via the municipal entrance, the entrance fee is included. Freely relax by the beach or take a walk/swim in the refreshing Alcantara River. After visiting the Alcantara Gorges the tour will end going back to the initial meeting point. The program of the excursion may be subject to changes at the discretion of the guide, depending on the weather conditions of the day and to always ensure the safety of the participants.

Ride the cable car up Mount Etna and enjoy a tour at the bottom of the summit craters. Explore the area in a 4x4 bus designed to manage the terrain. Step out of the bus to learn about the volcano on a short walking tour with your guide. Validate your ticket at the Dedicated checkout which is located at the entrance of the "Funivia dell'Etna" station. Your adventure begins at an altitude of approximately 6,300 feet (1.900 m) at the “Funivia dell’Etna” departure station. Reach the upper station at approximately 8,200 feet above sea level (2.500 m). In case of strong wind, your ascent will be carried out by the 4x4 buses. Once reaching the upper station, board a special 4x4 bus to reach the maximum summit height area allowed (approximately 9,500 feet/2.900 m). Continue your experience with an alpine-volcano guide to check out the surrounding area. Along with the staff, who will ensure your safety, appreciate the enchanted scenery at the bottom of the Central Crater that, with conditions of full visibility, allows you to get lost in the view of a large part of eastern Sicily. In case of snow, your ascent will be carried out with special tracked vehicles (snowcat). After spending about 30 minutes exploring the area, return to the cable car station and make your way back down the volcano with your roundtrip ticket.

Get ready for an exhilarating 1.5-hour exploration on the volcano's slopes! Accompanied by an expert guide, you'll journey 20 kilometers through stunning landscapes, traversing lava channels and exploring volcanic caves. Immerse yourself in a lunar-like environment. This is an unforgettable adventure for those who crave adrenaline and appreciate nature! Our tour will begin in Nicolosi (CT) at an altitude of 2000 meters, the starting point and the maximum limit of our excursion. From here, we will delve into the fascinating volcanic landscape of Etna, covering approximately 20 km, alternating between paved and dirt roads, discovering unique geological formations such as eruptive fractures, lava tubes, and lava fields. We will also visit a characteristic lava stone building and get lost in a suggestive broom forest. The excursion will have a total duration of 1 hour and a half.

Learn all about Mount Etna, taste local produce, and watch the sunset over the unique landscape on a half-day guided Jeep tour. Stop for a tasting of wines, spirits, and honey to discover the tastes and smells of the local products made in this volcanic region. Drive along roads framed by breathtaking views of the various dormant craters. Admire the beautiful Valle del Bove and visit an area of ancient explosive activity, Hornitos. At the end of the tour, enjoy a splendid panorama of the landscape at sunset.

Discover Etna and its wonders on this guided day trip tour from Catania! We will explore a lava cave and discover the legends surrounding it. During our trek we will reach the top of a series of extinct craters and from there enjoy breathtaking views of the volcano, the coast and also Taormina Together we will discover the history of the volcano, its peculiarities and observe how its landscape has changed according to the flows that have shaped it. Hear the tale of the infamous Etna eruptions from your knowledgeable guide.