Description
The Mount Etna quad tour sets off from Milo, a village on the eastern side of the volcano, after a short briefing that teaches you how to ride safely. Local guides then lead the way along paths in the Etna Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, over woodland, black sand, tracks and old lava. You can share a quad or take one each.
Three routes suit different levels. The two-hour Basic tour, fine for first-timers, goes through chestnut and oak trees to reach Monte Fontana, with a view over the Valle del Bove and, on a clear day, the Ionian Sea, with Taormina and Calabria in sight. The three-hour Intermediate tour reaches Ripe della Naca and the Bocche del 1928, the craters of the eruption that destroyed Mascali. The Advanced tour, four and a half hours, adds Monti Sartorius, craters formed in 1865, and the Grotta dei Ladroni, a lava tunnel full of history, plus a break with local food to taste.
- A quad, helmet and safety equipment
- A local guide throughout and insurance
Wear comfortable clothes and closed shoes. No off-road experience is needed for the first two routes. It is not suitable for children under four, pregnant women or people with back problems.