Tour of Mount Etna

This tour of Mount Etna is one of the most evocative and popular in the volcano! An Etna Tour remarkable both for geological and botanical highlights.

A trail that runs in a ring, starting from an altitude of 1.660 mt a.s.l., and covering a length of about 4 km.

After meeting at Rifugio Citelli, we’ll start our visit exploring the north-east side of volcano Etna. We’ll observe a natural environment rich of endemic species, “volcanic bombs”, and a beautiful formation of seven lateral craters, the “Sartorius”. Along the trail you can admire Mount Frumento delle Concazze (2151 m a.s.l.), the largest eccentric cone on the Etna.

Halfway down the path, the most impressive landscape of the tour will be in front of your eyes. The eruption of 1865, which gave rise to the Sartorius Craters, characterized by the typical “buttonhole” alignment of the eruptive cones (like buttons of a shirt). These craters were named Sartorius in honor of the German geologist Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen; notably, Sartorius was among the first scientists to map the most important eruptions of Etna.

The majestic flow extends for about eight square kilometers, with an average thickness of the lavas of over 12 mt. Surface morphology is very bumpy, due to the presence of scoriaceous blocks with sharp edges; for this reason, it will be good to pay particular attention during the hike.

We end this Etna tour by visiting a lava tube named “Grotta dei Ladroni” (Robbers’ den). When lava flow develops a continuous and hard crust, and forms a roof above the lava stream, then we can have the formation of a lava cave.

Good to know

Is a groups tour, max 12 participants. It includes a 5 hours hiking guided tour of Etna. Private exclusive tours are available under previous request, quote on demand. Excursion suitable for everyone.