Etna - Trekking to the summit craters (only guide service) experienced hikers
Trekking in small groups
Ascent by off-road vehicles along the panoramic northern slope up to 2,825 meters. From there, the hike continues on foot through volcanic scoria and lava bombs, with a 500-meter elevation gain, reaching the rim of the Central Crater at 3,380 meters. After a stop at the summit to observe the volcanic landscape, the descent is on foot down to 1,800 meters (approx. 7 km), crossing large gullies filled with soft volcanic sand.
Main data: • Total distance (round trip): 12 km • Maximum altitude: 3,380 m • Minimum altitude: 1,800 m • Ascent: +500 m • Descent: -1,580 m (the long downhill section may be more demanding than the climb) • Difficulty: Suitable only for experienced hikers
Note: Participants who decide during the excursion to return by bus from 2,850 m to 1,800 m must pay €70 instead of €50.
Options
Only guide service
What's included in Etna - Trekking to the summit craters (only guide service) experienced hikers
(Subject to Option Inclusions)Itinerary
Itinerario Crateri Sommitali
The starting point of this excursion is scheduled in Piano Provenzana at 8:00/8:15 AM, as a basis we have the: Kiosk Bar Mareneve. This excursion allows you to admire and visit the side less frequented by the mass of tourists. The route includes an off-road climb up to an altitude of 2825 meters. From this point you walk up into a lunar landscape, made of lava flows, volcanic ashes and volcanic bombs. After a climb of 4,5 kilometers and 480 meters of elevation gain, we arrive at the edge of the great Central Crater of Etna. The descent is planned on foot from 3300 to 1800 meters for about 7 kilometers, passing through lunar plateaus and large gullies full of soft volcanic sand to the starting point of the excursion. The excursion includes a total of 11,5 kilometers of walking (round trip) for 5/6 hours, absolutely suitable for those who are used to walking regularly in the mountains, not recommended for those with vertigo, physical health or fatigue problems.
Mount Etna
The starting point of this excursion is scheduled in Piano Provenzana at 8:00/8:15 AM, as a basis we have the: Kiosk Bar Mareneve. This excursion allows you to admire and visit the side less frequented by the mass of tourists. The route includes an off-road climb up to an altitude of 2825 meters. From this point you walk up into a lunar landscape, made of lava flows, volcanic ashes and volcanic bombs. After a climb of 4,5 kilometers and 480 meters of elevation gain, we arrive at the edge of the great Central Crater of Etna. The descent is planned on foot from 3300 to 1800 meters for about 7 kilometers, passing through lunar plateaus and large gullies full of soft volcanic sand to the starting point of the excursion. The excursion includes a total of 11,5 kilometers of walking (round trip) for 5/6 hours, absolutely suitable for those who are used to walking regularly in the mountains, not recommended for those with vertigo, physical health or fatigue problems.
Piano Provenzana
The starting point of this excursion is scheduled in Piano Provenzana at 8:00/8:15 AM, as a basis we have the: Kiosk Bar Mareneve. This excursion allows you to admire and visit the side less frequented by the mass of tourists. The route includes an off-road climb up to an altitude of 2825 meters. From this point you walk up into a lunar landscape, made of lava flows, volcanic ashes and volcanic bombs. After a climb of 4,5 kilometers and 480 meters of elevation gain, we arrive at the edge of the great Central Crater of Etna. The descent is planned on foot from 3300 to 1800 meters for about 7 kilometers, passing through lunar plateaus and large gullies full of soft volcanic sand to the starting point of the excursion. The excursion includes a total of 11,5 kilometers of walking (round trip) for 5/6 hours, absolutely suitable for those who are used to walking regularly in the mountains, not recommended for those with vertigo, physical health or fatigue problems.
Inclusions
- Licensed Volcano Guide
- Entry/Admission to Mount Etna
- Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack
- Insurance in case of accidents
- Transport service from your accommodation
- Hat and gloves (during autumn, winter and spring)
- Parking ticket (3€ for the whole day) - You can pay it on the spot after the excursion
- Off road vehicle (one way only) from1800m up to 2825m (50€per person to be paid on the spot)
- Those who choose to return by bus from 2,850 m to 1,800 m must pay €70 instead of €50
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular diseases (breathing ones, or hypertension).
- The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.
- For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guide know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problems and to avoid any risks.
- The excursion will be carried out according to the limits established by the ordinance in force published by the competent authorities in case of volcanic explosions, the volcano guides must respect it. In this case the guides must stop where it is still safe to arrive for the safety of the entire group.
- The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
- We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
- The trekking requires a discrete preparation on a physical level. Being a path that develops at high altitude, it will be easy to accuse symptoms of fatigue. It is required attention, since it is a volcanic active area, subjected to constant gaseous exhalations and composed by a soil constituted by inconsistent and unstable rocks.
- Without adequate shoes you are not covered by insurance.
- Pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed to take part to any excursion activity.
- Because of the continuous and unpredictable evolution of the volcanic activity, the excursions could undergo variations, or, in extreme cases, be cancelled, at the discretion of the guide for safety reasons.
- The excursion is not suitable for children under 12 years old
Meet
Pickup and Dropoff
You will make your own way to the meeting points
Meeting / End Points
- The meeting point is located in the parking lot near the active chairlift at Eta Nord in winter. The bar is the second house of the 4 present in the parking lot. Please note that our meeting point is the "Chiosco Bar Mareneve" not the "Chiosco Bar Etna Nord".
