Mount Etna, the majestic volcano dominating the landscape of Sicily, is a must for adventure-seekers. In this article I’ll be telling you about the many facets of this fascinating volcano and giving you some practical tips on how to organise your unforgettable trip to Mount Etna.
Article updated on 12/12/2023
But first of all, let me tell you what this volcano means to me personally: Mount Etna is home to me, a reference point between my departures and my returns. It means certainty and fear, amazement and adventure. In its presence, I realise how alive it is, constantly changing and evolving. Etna means emotion, and as soon as you visit it you’ll understand why.
Mount Etna: what to visit
Etna offers a huge range of options in terms of excursions and guided tours. Craters, old and new lava flows, and even charming caves, or tunnels in effect, formed by lava flows. Every corner reveals a unique side to its volcanic history.
The most popular and accessible tours are those that wind through the Silvestri Craters to the south and the Sartorius Mountains to the north.
The Silvestri Craters (inactive craters formed in 1892) are perhaps those which attract the most visitors as they are extremely accessible (even suitable for those who aren’t that keen on walking). The complete route takes you to the two craters, upper and lower. The path is about 2 km long, with an overall climb of 100 m. The departure point is the Sapienza Refuge.
The Sartorius Mountains, on the other hand, are on the northern slope of the volcano and are also inactive, formed in 1865. The northern slope attracts fewer tourists and is greener than the southern slope, so this is a better option if you’re looking for a less busy and more authentic route. The departure point is by the North Citelli Refuge.
The path winds along what’s known as a bottoniera (literally, a row of buttons), a row of craters along the same line of eruption. It will take you a couple of hours and covers a distance of around 5 km.
My advice would be to pop into the various local agencies and book a guided tour. This will provide you with the tools and interpretations that will be hard to come by on your own.
Another recommended scenic path is the one leading to a truly charming spot overlooking the Valle del Bove (Valley of the Ox). The name of the trail is “Schiena dell’Asino” (meaning ‘Donkey’s Back’), winding for around 5km. It’s not too challenging and has an initial ascent of 250 m.
Another lovely path is “Serracozzo”, which starts at the Citelli Refuge on the northern slope of the volcano. I would only recommend this for the more experienced hiker and it’s also the one with views of the 2002 bottoniera on the northern side.
It’s not absolutely necessary to take the cable car up; you can also enjoy some amazing walks if you stay at the lower levels. Taking the cable car is not synonymous with a successful trip.
But if you’re determined to get as close to the top as possible, you have two options:
- To the south by cable car and then by jeep up to approx. 2900 m
- To the north by jeep to an altitude of almost 3000 m
Bear in mind that there are restrictions in place on the volcano that prohibit you from climbing to the summit craters. Without a guide you can go to a maximum height of 2500 m on the southern side; any higher and you must be accompanied by an alpine and/or volcanological guide.
When to go: Etna in summer and winter
You can visit Mount Etna at any time of year but your experience will vary according to the season. Summer offers milder conditions and the possibility of visiting higher levels, whilst winter offers magical snowcapped scenery and the opportunity to ski.
In my personal experience, as a guide and local expert, the best time to visit is in late spring. Temperatures are very pleasant and many wild plants are in flower on the volcano.
Which excursion to choose
There are various ways of exploring Mount Etna: on foot, by jeep, by cable car or even on a quad bike (not a very eco-friendly option and a bit noisy, in my view).
What you choose will depend on your own personal preference and how adventurous you want to be. There’s something to suit all tastes and all levels of walking ability. The financial cost should not be overlooked: the price of the cable car has shot up in 2023, so remember that you can avoid going up to the higher levels, as there are also lunar landscapes at 2000 m.
I’d advise you to have a look online, as there is no on-site information office as such. Look for the tour that suits you best (family tour, sports tour, a tour with tastings, etc.).
Where to stay and eat
The towns at the foot of the volcano, such as Nicolosi, Zafferana Etnea, Milo and Linguaglossa, offer a wide range of accommodation and restaurants to suit every budget. The ideal solution for sleeping at the foot of the volcano is to opt for an agriturismo or a refuge or mountain chalet.
If you want to visit the southern slope, the best town would be Nicolosi, but Zafferana Etnea would also be fine. Both have numerous accommodation options, tourist facilities and restaurants around the main streets.
For an immersive woodland experience, I’d recommend Matilde’s House Chalet in Nicolosi or the Agriturismo Tenuta San Michele, a green oasis at the foot of the volcano nestling among the vineyards.
And on the subject of wine, did you know that Etna wine owes its unmistakeable taste to the minerals contained in the volcanic soils? If you’re a wine lover I’d suggest you take a trip along the wine road, a network of operators in the industry (wineries, farms, hotels and restaurants) that promote unforgettable experiences through land, fire and flavours.
In terms of restaurants, there are various options well worth considering. By the Sapienza Refuge, a base for all excursions on the southern slope of the volcano, you’ll find numerous bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and hotels (Rifugio Sapienza and Hotel Corsaro).
On the northern side, on the other hand, at Piano Provenzana there are small chalets offering a quick bite to eat and a restaurant at Monte Conca.
Etna for children
Etna is an educational, engaging experience for children too. Don’t listen to anyone who says that you can’t visit Etna with your children. Not only is it possible, but I can assure you that it will be a fun-packed activity for the whole family.
I’d advise you to choose a tour designed specifically for families as many tours don’t always take into consideration the varying pace required by a family.
Luckily, there are Etna Family Tours that allow for adventurous but accessible exploration, walks with treasure hunts and underground discoveries.
Some interesting facts about Etna
Why is Etna a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
In 2013, Mount Etna was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its geological importance and the continuous interaction between the volcanic activity and the human environment.
Why is Etna considered to be female?
The personification of Mount Etna as “female” has its roots in legends and ancient folklore. To the locals, it’s known to us as ‘mamma’, Mother Nature: the female representation of she who gives life and protects the city of Catania, taking it under her wing.
The volcanic soil is full of minerals, rich in elements that are essential to plants and to vines in particular. The abundance of alkaline and iron components gives Etna grapes their unique aroma and unmistakeable taste.
Why isn’t Etna dangerous?
Well, this isn’t altogether true. Let’s remember that we’re dealing with an active volcano, one of the most active in the world, in fact. Mount Etna is not a friendly giant, as it’s often described in a romanticised way. Its job is to erupt and produce lava flows. You can never be too cautious!
But what we can say is that its activity is constantly monitored and the tourist routes are carefully selected to guarantee everyone’s safety.
Mount Etna, with its majestic appearance and unique history, offers an exceptional experience for travellers in search of adventure and knowledge.
From the most adventurous excursions to the interesting anecdotes associated with the local people, Etna promises to remain etched in your memory for a very long time. Get ready to explore this jewel of Sicily, book your flight to Catania with Volotea and bring your hiking backpack!
