The Essential Guide To Hiking Mount Etna Sicily

Almost constantly erupting, Mount Etna is as thrilling a visit as it is picturesque. If you want to get up close to this stratovolcano, which constantly spews lava as it looms above nearby Catania, here’s your itinerary for hiking near the beastly mountain of Sicily, Italy.

Want to visit Mount Etna? Book Culture Trip’s 10-day Sicilian adventure where you’ll be able to bounce along the lava fields in a 4×4 and explore Monti Silvestri, the Northeast Crater, the Voragine and more.

Step 1 – Preparation

Whether you’ve decided to join a tour group on a well-framed journey or elected to embark on an adventure all your own, you’ll need the essentials first. Even in the summer months, Mount Etna can remain snow. Be sure to bring a few warm layers, in case a sudden drop in temperature takes hold as you scale the slopes.

Be sure to have appropriate, reliable footwear for the mountain trails. Whether you’re treading through snow, carefully walking upon spongy lava pebbles, or balancing alongside barren craters, you must have dependable boots to carry you on your way.

Step 2 – Select Your Route

Before commencing your hike, make sure to research which trail or area of the mountain best suits your skills. Local maps will detail differing paths and trails, and may guide you to discovering caves, ravines and summits along the course of the hike.

There are two popular areas to know of when beginning on your expedition. On the southern side of Etna, reachable by public transport, you’ll find Refugio Sapienza. From there, ascend the volcano by cable car and find a myriad of hikes.

In the northern region of the mountain, passing through the small town of Linguaglossa, you’ll be able to access dozens of sleeping craters, incredible vistas of the frozen pour of lava from hundreds of years ago, and the steaming mouth of Etna’s tireless peak. These treks can be challenging, with steep climbs and changing altitude, but are well worth the effort.

Step 3 – Bring a Camera

No matter where you find your feet on the hiking trails, don’t forget to take a few moments to absorb the natural grandeur that you’ll be surrounded by. Document your voyage into the unspoiled mountains, capture the sprawling lava spills and eruptions, and seize the eerie majesty of the network of caves.

Mount Etna Hiking Tours

If you’re opting for a guided tour, there are numerous local and organised groups with different packages on offer. You can choose between morning and afternoon tours, half- or full-day expeditions, and even multiple-day ventures.

A lot of these tours combine a native Sicilian lunch, visits to wineries or honey manufacturers, and treks through ashy wonderlands and caves. They’re rich with education on the volcano and the energetic past there.

No matter which method of visiting this incredible site you choose, hiking Etna is a challenging and engaging way to spend a day in Sicily.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.