Ascent to the base of Etna by cable car

The ascent to the summit is done by cable car and on foot. You will arrive about 1 km from the summit, an unforgettable memory! The excursion takes place from the afternoon to sunset in a volcanic desert dotted with volcanic bombs, pyroclastic material, volcanic sand, craters and recent lava flows. You will see (volcanic activity permitting): the base of the summit craters, the Valle del Bove, still partly hot craters, a lava channel and recent lava flows (some partly hot).

Provisional timetable for the ascent to the base of the Etna summit. We go up by cable car to an altitude of 1900 meters (Etna Sud). Leaving the cable car at 2500m, we will climb up to about 3000 m of altitude to visit the still hot crater from the 2001 eruption. From the top of this crater, weather permitting, you will see: the summit craters of the South-East, Central (Voragine), Bocca Nuova, the Valle del Bove and the panorama from Catania to Taormina, up to Calabria.

After visiting the crater in 2001, the excursion continues to the panoramic point over the Valle del Bove. You will reach the maximum altitude decided by the guide to see other places in the heart of the volcanic desert. The descent to an altitude of 1900 meters will be carried out on foot at sunset on volcanic sand dunes. In certain climatic conditions it is possible to see the shadow of Etna on the Mediterranean Sea. We reach the base of the cable car (1900 meters above sea level) at sunset. At the end of the excursion we will reach a mountain refuge to enjoy a convivial aperitif at dusk.

Etna tour with guide

The exclusive itinerary proposed by Etna3340 allows you to discover the hot areas of the volcano at the base of the summit that are inaccessible without a real, authorized volcanological guide. Our excursions are carried out by a volcanological guide from the Regional College of Alpine and Volcanological Guides of Sicily. The volcanological guide is the only professional authorized by Italian law to lead groups on Etna.

Excursion on Etna, on the hotspots of the volcano

To climb to the base of the summit of the largest and most active volcano in Europe, use the cable car located near the Silvestri crater and the Sapienza refuge (Etna Sud). With the cable car we reach an altitude of 2500 meters. The ascent continues, allowing the volcanic activity, on foot up to about 3000 meters above sea level (base of the summit craters). This excursion allows you to walk on a hot lava flow and on the hot craters of recent eruptions (2001, 2003 and the last recent lavas of 2022).

The Etna volcano has hundreds of craters on its sides. Our volcanological guide will explain the eruptive history and how the Etna volcano works. At about 3000 meters above sea level you will appreciate the possibility of approaching the large summit craters (the Bocca Nuova, the Central Crater and the South-East Crater). You can observe the possible eruptive activity, the great depression "Valle del Bove", the panorama of the Mediterranean and the Italian coast.

Excursion to the base of the Etna summit

The ascent to the base of the summit craters of Etna at sunset is not an excursion suitable for children (under 12 years), due to the difficulty of the excursion. Equipment provided free of charge: helmet, flashlight, sticks, rucksack and raincoat. To participate in the excursions on Etna, high trekking boots are mandatory. If you don't have them, you need to get or rent them. The price for the rental of trekking shoes is €5 per pair with Etna3340. Tell me your sizes (women and men) no later than 24 hours before the excursion.

Your guide will bring your shoes to you on the day of the hike. During the excursion you will walk on fine and deep volcanic sand. In some places (especially on the descent) the feet sink up to the ankles in volcanic sand. For this reason, low profile trail shoes are only acceptable when used with gaiters. High hiking boots are accepted only when worn with gaiters or mid-calf socks. The guide will tell you how to use them. When you tell me your shoe size (women/men), consider 1 size up from your usual shoe size. Equipment required but not included.

Mid-calf gaiters or socks (to limit volcanic sand in shoes). Trekking pants, sweater/fleece, warm waterproof windproof jacket with hood, gloves, hat, cap to protect your head from the sun, sunscreen, sunglasses. Plan ahead for a picnic and water (1.5 liters per person).