Description
This high-altitude excursion, a valid alternative to visiting the summit craters currently closed to the public, will make you experience the thrill of walking surrounded by surreal panoramas. The first part of the tour takes place by cable car, from the Sapienza refuge (1960 m) to the arrival station of the Etna cable car (2510 m), from here we will proceed on a trek to visit the Piano del Lago, a vast expanse of volcanic sand that creates a surreal lunar landscape and from there we will climb up to the Barbagallo craters at 2950 meters, from where you can admire the nearby summit craters and the Ionian coast. Once you reach the lava fields of the latest eruptions (2017-2019) you will reach the viewpoint of the famous Valle del Bove, a vast depression generated by the collapse of an ancient volcanic building. The descent on the sandy gullies to the parking lot will then be tackled entirely by trekking with the soft lights of the sunset!
IMPORTANT NOTES: The maximum altitude reached with this tour is approximately 2900 meters. The excursion, given the altitude and the relative high mountain weather conditions, is recommended for people in good physical health and well equipped (we can rent shoes and heat-insulating jackets). Not recommended for newborns, small children or people with cardio-respiratory diseases.
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MORNING ALTERNATIVE If you cannot make this afternoon excursion, you can opt for the Etna 3000 excursion with a 4×4 bus and a trekking descent on the northern side of Etna. See the proposals on www.etnasummitcraters.com |
Tour Program
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ASCENT TO 2500 MT BY CABLE CAR
In this excursion, the first part of the ascent - from 1950 to 2510 meters - will take place with the cable car of the famous Etna cableway that starts from the famous Rifugio Sapienza. A pioneering ski lift project that has challenged the volcano since 1955. 5 times this tourist facility has been devoured by lava. The panorama of the Gulf of Catania and the slopes of the southern slope with recent and ancient tongues of lava will stand out higher and higher.
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PIAN DEL LAGO | VOLCANIC DESERT
Leaving the Etna cableway station we will walk towards the PIano del Lago, so called because of the presence in the past of a seasonal lake that was formed due to the melting of the snow. After the 2001 eruption it no longer exists and has been covered by a volcanic cone (Cono del Laghetto) about 80 meters high.
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CRATER OF 2001 ERUPTION
We will therefore climb the slopes of the crater of 2002 eruption (about 2950 meters), a cone born in almost 100 days of eruption and which has changed the morphology of the area. From here the panorama is breathtaking. You can admire the expanse of volcanic "Tefra" which constitutes the very black plain of the lake, the most recent lava flows and then them: the summit craters of the Etna volcano that stand out in front of you at just a little more than a km as the crow flies .
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BEATIFUL VIEW OF VALLE DEL BOVE
Another unmissable stop, if luck - meteorologically speaking - will assist us, will be the passage on the viewpoint of the Valle del Bove at 2700 meters, the maximum altitude reached in our adventure. This is the best place to enjoy this extraordinary panorama of the natural amphitheater created by a series of huge volcanic collapses and cataclysms, such as to literally sink the east side of the volcano towards the sea. And here it will be very clear, thanks also to the explanations of your expert guide.
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DESCENT TO SAND TRAILS
The return to the parking lot is recommended for good walkers on trekking. One of the most exciting descents from the Rocca Sabbiosa. The name is all a program. So let yourself go down, with long steps or even running, from the gullies of fine volcanic sand with the panorama of dozens of lateral craters, including the beautiful Silvestri craters and the Gulf of Catania. Guaranteed fun.
Overview
- PeriodApril to Novembre
- TypeAll experiences
- Departure CityTicket office cable car station
- Timing15
- DifficultyAverage. Suitable for healthy people
- AltitudeMax 2950 Mts. almost
- Durations 5 hours
- LanguagesEnglish, Italian
Rates
- Fee per adult 110€ (60€ volcano guide + 50€ cable car ticket).
- Private tour (Guide and private vehicle - flex timetable): + 150 €
Tour Includes
- Coupon for tasting Etna specialties
- Customizable itinerary
- Free personalized ETNA bandana
- Guida alpina – Vulcanologica
General FAQs
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What i should bring?
Trekking shoes are MANDATORY for this excursion. Also recommended: poles, sunglasses, windproof jacket / sweatshirt, water. If you need it, you can take advantage of our rental where you will find shoes, jackets, sticks and more.
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What can i rent?
You can rent trekking shoes, insulating jackets, trekking poles and request seats for children up to 3 years. You can book the equipment in the online booking form.
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In case of bad wheather?
It depends. If the conditions are not prohibitive, i.e. it is cloudy or raining but there is a fair visibility, usually the tours are carried out without any difficulty. In any case, the guide carries out an evaluation based on his experience and if the conditions are not met, he can decide to move or cancel the excursion in agreement with our guests. In case of cancellation due to bad weather, decided between the parties, the reimbursement of any advance membership fees paid is made.
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Booking info
EASY booking!
Book now your volcano guide. In the place you will pay the cable car ticket of 50€ per person.
