Catania: Mount Etna Trekking Tour Beyond the Tourist Trails

Your adventure begins right at the pick-up point in the center of Catania, where you’ll meet your expert naturalist guide and set off towards the majestic slopes of Mount Etna.

Leaving the city behind, you’ll travel off-road along ancient *trazzere* — historic rural tracks that wind through breathtaking volcanic landscapes. Here, you’ll have the chance to admire the impressive lava flows from the massive 1792 eruption. As you pass through these unique landscapes, your guide will share fascinating stories about the volcano’s rich history and explain the diverse flora and fauna that thrive in this extreme environment.

Your journey continues towards the spectacular Bove Valley, an immense and dramatic caldera formed around 64,000 years ago after the collapse of two major eruptive centers. This natural amphitheater offers unforgettable views of Etna’s dynamic geological past and present.

Once you reach an altitude of about 2,000 meters above sea level, you’ll begin an easy but rewarding trek through lunar-like terrain. You’ll explore the Silvestri Craters — remarkable remnants of Etna’s explosive past — and walk along the striking lava fields created by the 2001 and 2003 eruptions. These rugged flows are an incredible testament to the volcano’s constant activity and ever-changing shape.

Along the trail, you’ll also have the chance to discover a fascinating lava tunnel, formed by rivers of molten rock carving their way through the earth. From these elevated paths, you’ll be treated to sweeping panoramic views of the Sicilian coastline and the city of Catania below — a reminder of how Etna shapes not only the land but the lives of those who live nearby.

To make this experience even more memorable, you’ll pause to enjoy a glass of local Etna wine while watching the colors of the sunset transform the sky and the surrounding volcanic landscape into a stunning natural canvas. It’s the perfect way to take in the magic and power of Europe’s most active volcano.

After this unforgettable adventure, you’ll be comfortably returned to the same pick-up point in Catania where your journey began, bringing home memories of an extraordinary day spent exploring the living heart of Sicily.