VOLCANOLOGICAL EXCURSION ON ETNA
3000 Meters Altitude Trekking – from Etna South – Nicolosi

Meeting at the square of the Sapienza Refuge (Nicolosi – Etna Sud) at 8:30

Expected departure at: 9:00

Initial briefing and cableway ticket purchase (round trip)

Departure of the trek from an altitude of 2500 meters

View of the Crater del Laghetto eruption of 2001, Belvedere della Valle del Bove and finally to the Barbagallo Craters related to the 2002 eruption at an altitude of 3000 meters (variable value).

Arrival expected at about 14:00 at the Etna cableway at an altitude of 2500 meters.

Return by cable car to the starting point (Rifugio Sapienza).

Minimum altitude at the beginning of the trek: 2500 meters – maximum altitude reached  2950 meters (variable value)

Trekking length on foot: 7 km (round trip) Variable value

Positive difference in height: 550 m (variable value)

Trekking duration: 5 hours

Difficulty: H (Hikers)

Meeting at the parking lot of the Sapienza Refuge – Nicolosi Etna Sud

The trek begins at the arrival of the Etna cable car at an altitude of 2500 meters. and develops first, on a dirt road and then on a path. After walking the first kilometer, we will meet the Crater of the Lake (Cratere del Laghetto) relating to the eruption of 2001. Subsequently, visitors will be led in the vicinity of the crater called Cisternazza, formed during the eruptive activity of 1792 that threatened the town of Zafferana etnea.

Then you will reach the Belvedere della Valle del Bove (depending on the visibility), a place that allows you to admire the majestic beauty of the great depression that occupies the eastern side of the volcanic building. The next steps will be: the effusive mouth of 2002 with the possibility of touching the gas of fumaroles still hot, the lava flow channel, the Barbagallo Craters (eruption of 2002) and the lava flows of the recent activities produced by the South East Crater . The descent from an altitude of 3000 meters – MAXIMUM HEIGHT REACHABLE AT THE MOMENT DEPENDING ON THE LEVEL OF VOLCANIC RISK –  is planned on foot to the arrival station of the Etna cableway (2500 meters).

€ 50 to be paid at the ticket office for transport: Cable car (round trip) from 1900mt to 2500mt altitude.

Snowshoe rental at a cost of €15 per person in case of deep snow (to be paid to your guide who will provide the equipment).

Any decision to take advantage of the return with 4×4 vehicles from Torre del Filosofo (2750 m) to the Etna cable car (2500 m) has an additional cost of € 18 per person (charged to the customer).👉🏻 [This option is not available at the moment].

Lunch

Bottled water

Snack

K-way (rain jacket)

Parking Ticket

Authorized Volcanological Guide

Trekking poles

Helmets

Accident insurance

Extra backpack

Jacket

Trekking shoes

Entrance – Mount Etna

Trekking is not recommended for those who do little physical activity.

Trekking is not recommended for those who do little sporting activity.

However, the excursion does not require any particular physical preparation, attention is required since it is volcanic soil, often inconsistent and unstable.

The excursion may be subject to variations at the discretion of the Guides or be interrupted if the environmental, atmospheric or volcanic conditions change, such as to compromise the safety of the entire group.

The total duration of the trek will depend on the pace.

The excursion will take place within the limits established by the ordinances in force.

Suitable for children over 7 years old who are used to walking

The route includes the ascent and passage along the crater rims, this could cause dizziness problems for sensitive individuals.

This itinerary, in relation to the type and altitude, is suitable for people in a state of good physical health, who do not suffer from particular pathologies (cardio vascular, respiratory or hypertension).

We do not recommend the use of contact lenses because of the gases exhaled by the volcano and the ash which, if pushed, could easily cause problems to the eyes.

Expectant mothers who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed any kind of hiking activity.

To allow for the success of the excursion and the proper conduct of the activity, it is good practice to be fully aware of your health conditions and possibly present them to the Guide, all this to reduce the occurrence of any problems and avoid taking risks.

Packed lunch

Layered clothing (short-sleeved shirt – thermal or long-sleeved shirt) -> (varies according to the season)

Trekking shoes

Long pants

Windbreaker or down jacket (varies according to the season)

Gloves and hat (especially in winter, spring or autumn)

Water – minimum 1.5 L per person

Snack

Trekking poles

K-way (waterproof jacket)

Backpack 25/30 L

Sun glasses

Sunscreen / cocoa butter

Gloves and hat (varies according to the season)

Replacement socks

Long pants

Waterproof jacket

Replacement T-shirt

Handkerchiefs or bandana (to protect yourself from dust or volcanic gases)

In the event of adverse weather conditions, we will advise you in order to communicate the cancellation or postponement of your excursion, at the earliest possible date.

There is no advance payment for the reservation (except for agencies, groups or private guide services), after communicating your reservation to our number: +39 345 5741330 you will pay directly the guide who will be with you on the day of the excursion.

There is no advance payment for transportation. The guide will take you inside the office of the Funivia dell’Etna for the payment of the return tickets, just before the departure.

In case of many requests, the participants will be divided into smaller groups with different guides, according to the languages in order to avoid the formation of large groups of people.