Etna Nord – Castiglione di Sicilia Ordinance: Rules for Excursions and Safety
Welcome to the information page dedicated to the safety provisions for excursions on the North side of Mount Etna. Etna is a natural environment of extraordinary beauty but in continuous evolution, which requires the utmost attention and compliance with precise rules to ensure the safety of all visitors.
Below is the full text of Ordinance No. 1, issued by the Municipality of Linguaglossa on June 19, 2025. This official document establishes the binding rules and operational procedures for the safe use of the area, in particular for access to the summit area.
The ordinance defines the reachable altitude limits, the behaviors to be adopted based on the different levels of volcanic alert (F0, F1, F2) communicated by the ETNAS system, and specifies the obligations for guides, tour operators, and hikers. Knowledge and respect of these rules are essential for a safe and unforgettable experience on the highest active volcano in Europe.
MUNICIPALITY OF CASTIGLIONE DI SICILIA
Metropolitan City of Catania
Protocol No. 0010620/2025 of 06/19/2025
MAYORAL ORDINANCE NO. 01 OF 06/19/2025
Subject
Ban on access to the summit areas of the north side of Mount Etna.
THE MAYOR
Recalling
The "Volcanic risk alert procedures and methods of use for the summit area of Mount Etna," prepared by the Regional Department of Civil Protection, Seismic and Volcanic Risk Service, updated on 09/05/2018, available on the institutional website of the Sicilian Region at: www.regione.sicilia.it.;
Considering
That the operational phase has changed from "PRE-ALARM" to "ATTENTION," as per communication from the D.R.P.C. Prot. no. 28490/S.03/DRPC Sicilia of 06/19/2025 and that, consequently, it is appropriate to proceed with widespread information aimed at hikers and users of Mount Etna;
Having regard to
- Art. 2 of Law no. 225/1992;
- Art. 2 of the T.U.L.P.S. (Consolidated Law on Public Security), approved by R.D. no. 773/1931;
- Art. 12 of Law no. 265/1999;
- Art. 54 of Legislative Decree no. 267/2000 and subsequent amendments;
- The O.A.EE.LL. (Ordinance of Local Authorities) in force in the Sicilian region, with particular reference to Art. 69;
ORDERS
That upon the transition from F0 to F1, also communicated via WhatsApp groups and/or through the Official Register or on the institution's website, which corresponds to the activation of the PRE-ALARM operational phase regarding the use of the summit area and the yellow zone of the volcano, given the possibility of a sudden transition to the F2 alert level corresponding to the ALARM operational phase, all activities taking place in the summit and yellow zones must be suspended. Therefore, upon receipt of the message: the managers of tourist excursion activities, and in particular the guides, must interrupt all activities and ensure the immediate removal of users from the restricted area.
That in the F1 and F2 states, it is strictly forbidden to access areas above 2795.00 m a.s.l.;
To the Alpine and/or Volcanological Guides, who operate on Mount Etna, and, in particular, in the area affected by eruptive phenomena:
- a) to communicate to the Municipal Civil Protection structure any change in activity that could lead to risks for public and private safety;
- b) to inform the accompanied persons in advance about the risks involved in a volcanic environment;
- c) to implement every useful measure, suggested by their experience and professionalism, to limit the risks for the accompanied persons.
The limitations in the preceding points do not apply to security and rescue personnel, law enforcement, Civil Protection and Etna Park personnel carrying out service activities in the area, scientific personnel operating at summit altitudes for Civil Protection and study purposes (University and INGV), Alpine - Volcanological Guides, and figures expressly authorized within the CAI. Access beyond the imposed limits is also permitted to professional journalists and photographers with a professional ID card, if accompanied by legally authorized personnel.
Violators will be reported to the Judicial Authority pursuant to Art. 650 of the Penal Code;
Any provision in conflict with this one is currently suspended until further notice;
ENACTS
That the Municipal Police and the Public Force are responsible for the execution of this Ordinance;
To transmit this Act to:
- The Regional Department of Civil Protection - Volcanological Service S.03;
- The Prefecture of Catania;
- The Mayors of the Etna Park for the coordination of Civil Protection activities, specifically Adrano, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Bronte, Linguaglossa, Maletto, Nicolosi, Piedimonte Etneo, Ragalna, Randazzo, Sant'Alfio and Zafferana Etnea and the Metropolitan City of Catania;
- The Regional Directorate of the Fire Brigade;
- The Provincial Command of the Fire Brigade of Catania;
- The Etna Park Authority;
- The Guardia di Finanza-Alpine Rescue Nicolosi;
- The Regional Forestry Corps - Linguaglossa Detachment;
- The Carabinieri Barracks Station of Castiglione di Sicilia;
- The Carabinieri Barracks Station of Passopisciaro;
- The Municipal Police Command of Castiglione di Sicilia;
- The Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides;
- The C.N.S.A.S. (National Alpine and Speleological Rescue Corps);
- The National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology of Catania;
- The Italian Alpine Club, Catania section;
- The Etna Cableway;
- The companies awarded the Authorizations issued by this Body for access to the Etna North high mountain track;
- The SAGF-Alpine Rescue Unit of the Guardia di Finanza of Nicolosi.
This Ordinance will be published on the Official Register and on the institutional website of the Municipality.
Castiglione di Sicilia, June 19, 2025
THE MAYOR
(Concetto Stagnitti)
