Mount Etna

access to the summit craters, is it possible to go up??

– How far can you go on your own and where with a guide?

Current risk level: ATTENTION

• Last lava fountain: 15/08/2024 produced by the Central Crater

• Last explosive activity with significant ash emissions from the Summit Craters: November 10, 2024

• [Current activity in these hours]: Explosive activity within the vent at the base of the Northeast Crater of Etna, diluted ash emissions from the northeastern vent of the Southeast Crater, and degassing activity from the Bocca Nuova Crater. Volcanic tremor remains unstable, so the alert level remains high.

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What does it mean?

Here are the rules that must be followed

👉🏻 A tourist-excursion visit is permitted within the YELLOW ZONE (see map below) only if accompanied by authorized personnel in accordance with the law (volcanological or alpine guides).👈🏻

What does the yellow zone include?

– Above the arrival of the Etna’s cableway altitude (2750 m.t.) to the South, above the Volcanological Observatory (2800 m.t.) to the North and above the Centenari Mountains (1740 m.t.) to the East within the Valle del Bove.

• Within the Yellow Zone, in compliance with the rules of the Etna Park Authority, excursions are permitted only if accompanied by Volcanological guides qualified in accordance with the law, in compliance with the Ordinances issued by the Mayors in their respective territories.

UPDATE: Starting from RIFUGIO SAPIENZA – Etna Sud – Given the Mayor ordinance N.5 published by the Mayor of Nicolosi on 04/07/2024 NOT ACCOMPANIED BY LOCAL GUIDES it will be possible to reach an altitude of 2750 m. From an altitude of 2750 m.t. up to the top at 3300 m.t. (see area highlighted in yellow on the map) only if accompanied by alpine or volcanological guides.

UPDATE: Starting from PIANO PROVENZANA – Etna Nord – Given the Mayor ordinance N.40 published by the Mayor of Linguaglossa on: 06/07/2024 NOT ACCOMPANIED BY LOCAL GUIDES it will be possible to reach the altitude of 2850 m. on the northern side of Etna (see the area highlighted in yellow on the map). From an altitude of 2850 m.t. up to the top at 3300 m.t. Only if accompanied by alpine and volcanological guides.

List of excursions available according to the current risk level ⚠️ that allow you to get closer to the summit craters:

1. Excursion to the Summit Craters of Etna from the North with return by bus
2. Excursion to the Summit Craters from the North with descent on foot
3. Volcanological excursion from the North
4. Excursion to summit craters from the South
5. Excursion at an altitude of 3000 meters from the South
6. Excursion at an altitude of 2500 meters from the North
7. Excursion to the Volcanological Observatory from the North

PLEASE NOTE

If the phenomena in progress allow it, the supra-municipal authority, having heard the opinion of the experts of the I.N.G.V. with regard to the type and evolution of the phenomenon underway, it will be able to evaluate the possibility of allowing guided and planned touristic-excursion use within the summit area near the lava fields and eruptive vents, in safe conditions. In this case, the procedures for carrying out the visits will be established with specific measures, which will be allowed only if accompanied by personnel qualified in accordance with the law (GA-GV).

Access to the craters of Etna is regulated by: VOLCANIC RISK ALERT PROCEDURES AND RULES OF USE FOR THE SUMMIT AREA OF THE VOLCANO ETNA

Edited by: Vincenzo Greco GV.