Etna Volcano: South Side Guided Summit Hike to 3340 mt
4.9
282 Ratings
Città metropolitana di Catania

Experience the extraordinary beauty of Etna and its summit craters on a trekking adventure with Ashàra Volcanological Guides. Explore volcanic activity and be amazed by the stunning natural surroundings.

Duration: 6 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Ashàra Volcanological Guides in Sicily - Trekking carried out by a certified company of mountain and volcano guide who will be happy to accompany you with professionalism and safety up to the top of Etna. Take breaks along the way and capture unique photos of the summit craters as you admire the stunning natural beauty all around you.
    After meeting and departing from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza (Etna South), with the cable car and jeep 4x4 you reach an altitude of 2,800 meters and from here in about 2 hours of walking through lava flows and lunar-looking environments, we will reach the Etna Summit Craters at 3340mt. Here we will walk on the spectacular rim of the Central Crater, we will face the vertiginous Northeast Crater and we will see at our side the famous Southeast Crater, author of the most recent and impressive eruptions. In addition to the vastness of the summit craters, you will admire a unique volcanic environment, with gas emissions, volcanic bombs, and the sparkling colors of the ground due to the sublimation of various elements, including sulfur in particular. During the descent we will visit Barbagallo craters and cross a lava flow channel.
    Once again at 2500 masl with the Etna cable car we will return to the starting point.

Remember that we are always talking about an active volcano so there may be variations of itinerary if necessary

What's Included
  • Trekking sticks
  • Helmet
  • Insurance and Volcanological Guides
  • Trekking boots
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
  • Snacks
  • Tickets of cable car and jeep 4x4 (60€ per person) to pay on spot
  • Pick up transfer service from Catania or around
  • Wind jacket
Additional Information

Each excursion is carried out in compliance with the levels of volcanic risk.

After the meeting and departure from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza (Etna Sud), with the cable car and 4x4 jeep you reach an altitude of 2,800 meters and from here in about 2 hours of walking through lava flows and environments looking lunar, you reach the Etna Summit Craters at 3340mt. Here we will walk on the spectacular rim of the Central Crater, we will face the dizzying Northeast Crater and we will see at our side the famous Southeast Crater, author of the most recent and impressive eruptions. In addition to the vastness of the summit craters, you will admire a unique volcanic environment, with gas emissions, volcanic bombs and the sparkling colors of the ground thanks to the sublimation of various elements, including sulfur in particular. During the descent we will visit the craters of Barbagallo and cross a lava channel.
Once again at 2500 m with the Etna cable car we will return to the starting point.

  • People have to be in a perfect physical conditions. The level is medium-high
Location
Ashàra Volcanological Guides in Sicily
Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza
Departure from Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza at our Ashàra's Info point located close to Terrazza dell'Etna Restaurant
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(282 Ratings)
5 stars
4 stars
3 stars
2 stars
1 star
Frédéric
Jul 20, 2024
We had a very good day - We had a great family day with our Guide Antonio who not only took the time to explain the different phenomena related to the Volcano (in a very educational and ultra clear way) and also knew how to take breaks (necessary) to make this outing very pleasant. Antonio is a very good Guide both professionally and humanly. We loved his humor!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alizak347
Jul 9, 2024
Fun and Informative hike - Great hike with Fabio! He likes to share information and is a good teacher. He was also very responsible in terms of taking care of each member of the group, which was important on such an extraordinarily windy day.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Zainab
Jul 5, 2024
ETNA volcano mountain - Omg one of the best the best experience I’ve ever had in my life ! If you are in Sicily please join this group to see the beauty of ETNA mountains.. One of the best ! 5/5
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Blenny2016
Jun 24, 2024
Etna summit craters - Very nice hike for the context in which you move. Zero vegetation and you walk on lava ground. For those who go to the mountains is not only challenging 400/500 meters in altitude but walking on the crest of the crater is exciting. Guides usually volcanologists or geologists can answer all your questions. To be recommended
Review provided by Tripadvisor
493mantasa
Jun 24, 2024
Experience one must to feel - Great hike with super professional guide. He took care of all of us, paced professionaly with lots of small stops filled with lots of nice information about vulcanos in general and Etna in particular. Our guide was Giovanni - great guy
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Vdelacru
Jun 24, 2024
Breathtaking and unforgettable tour to Etna - We had the most AMAZING hike up to Mount Etna with Fabio yesterday where we saw a VERY active Etna with multiple explosions included. Simply awesome and unforgettable. Fabio’s passion for the subject matter as a geologist was self evident and he was particularly caring, searching out and helping my husband when he was struggling on a slippery downslope portion, taking multiple photos of us, and providing several well-timed rest breaks. Apart from 10 minute warmup stair master sessions at the gym, I am no hiker so we were nervous about our ability to do it. I take exception to some recent comments that may scare people away from this once in a lifetime experience. It can most definitely be handled by someone that is reasonably fit—the hardest physical exertion was actually the first five minutes and then the pace improved. With respect to the comment about hiking boots, OF COURSE! Why didn’t you mention that everyone is provided boots at the start? If you refused them, that’s on you. I found the tour to be well-organized and informative, but most importantly, I can assure everyone that anyone traveling thousands of miles to get to Sicily should not half-ass Etna because the true jaw-dropping power of this volcano is at the summit. Simply unforgettable and thank you to Fabio for the amazing tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Arjaan
Jun 19, 2024
Fabulous experience on top of Etna - Fabulous trip. Fantastic guide Giovanni led us in easy pace to top of the Etna, knew and told a lot of interesting info on the Etna volcano. A magnificent experience you must take when on Sicily.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Silvia1983t
Jun 3, 2024
Etna 3342 - Very competent and friendly guide. Very nice tour to the top of Etna. Medium-high physical effort. Perfect organisation, clear communications
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Lukas_g
May 29, 2024
The best way to discover Vulcan Etna - beautiful environment with a competend guid. A good fitness level is required but other wise a simple walk
Review provided by Viator
Gerritk258
Jun 17, 2024
Etna Tour 26.05.24 - Great guides who led us to the top. They took all the needs and participants into account. Poles and good shoes with grip are recommended. An unforgettable experience, thank you Mario!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Select Date and Tickets
up to 15 guests
1
Adult
September 2024
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Today