Description
This Etna summit trek from Catania brings you to the highest points of the volcano that visitors can currently reach, with mountain and volcanic guides. A private minivan collects you at various stops in Catania and drives to Piano Provenzana, on the northern side, a quieter part of the park.
There you are given boots, helmets, jackets and poles. Private 4x4 vehicles, reserved for your group, drive you to roughly 2,800 metres, so the transfers involve no queues.
The guided walk covers about 6 km with some 500 metres of climbing, up to 3,300 metres. It crosses old lava flows, fumaroles and other volcanic formations, and reaches the four active craters, namely Bocca Nuova, the Central crater and the south-east and north-east ones. In clear weather you can see across Sicily and Calabria, even to the Aeolian archipelago.
After photos at the top, the group heads down to a spot for the packed lunch, then the 4x4s take you down to the base station, where you give back the equipment and the minivan returns to Catania. Allow five to six hours in all. The hike goes ahead with at least four participants, the 4x4 ride is paid on site, and the guide may alter the route to suit the volcano and the weather.