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Volcanological excursion of the wild and less touristy side of the Etna volcano

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$58.10

REG. $63.76

Overview

The route is a valid alternative to the top craters, and is among the most complete and fascinating that can be offered on the volcano, suitable for those who want to walk among craters, fractures in the ground, lava flows and visit exceptional volcanic supply ducts, where a time the molten magmatic mass boiled.The trekking of great volcanological interest, involves the ascent on special 4x4 vehicles from an altitude of 1800 meters to an altitude of 2800 meters (for a total of 8 km of road) accompanied by your volcanological guide who will begin the explanations on board.During the journey you will visit the fracture called (Rift) of the north side of Etna, you will enter with your protective helmets inside the chimney of a perfectly intact volcanic cone, you will visit the mouths that have produced the lava flows. The excursion will continue, on the edge of large craters, through descents composed of slopes of volcanic ash, among the craters generated by innumerable lateral eruptions.

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

The meeting point is located in the parking lot near the active chairlift at Eta Nord in winter. The bar is the second house of the 4 present in the parking lot. Please note that our meeting point is the "Chiosco Bar Mareneve" not the "Chiosco Bar Etna Nord".

Language Offered

English-GUIDE

Italian-GUIDE

French-GUIDE

Itinerary

1. Piano Provenzana

The site you reach with your own car is Piano Provenzana, the northern tourist station of Mount Etna. Less crowded and more authentic than the southern slope, it offers a natural setting where dense forest meets stark lava flows from recent eruptions—a striking contrast along the access road. At 1,800 m a.s.l., you’ll find small souvenir shops, cafés, restrooms, and the departure area for authorized 4×4 vehicles. Parking is paid in blue-striped spaces. From here you may continue only with licensed guides on park- and municipality-approved vehicles. Piano Provenzana is also a winter ski station. This area lies within the lava field of the October 27, 2002 eruption, which destroyed earlier tourist facilities—restaurants, hotels, ski lifts, and trails. Gateway to Etna’s wild north side, it offers a more authentic, natural encounter with the volcano, with excursions rising from 1,800 m to about 2,860 m at the Etna Nord Volcanological Observatory.

Duration: 30 mins

2. Itinerario Crateri Sommitali

The tour starts on the panoramic road climbing Etna’s north slope toward the upper volcano, accessible only by authorized 4×4 vehicles. Meet your guide at Piano Provenzana (1,800 m) for a short briefing before departure. The drive crosses Etna’s woods and the wide lava fields of the 27 October 2002 eruption, where ruins of the old tourist station—including a semi-buried hotel roof—still emerge. Your guide explains the volcano’s history and answers questions en route. Along the way you pass craters over 40 m deep, eruptive fractures, and vast summit-lava flows. Hardy pioneer plants colonize new rock, while INGV monitoring stations dot the stark, lunar terrain. The route ends at Piano delle Concazze (2,860 m) beside the Etna Nord Volcanological Observatory, offering views that on clear days stretch from Catania to Syracuse, across the Nebrodi and Peloritani Mountains, the Madonie, the Aeolian Islands, and even Calabria, beneath the ever-steaming summit craters.

Duration: 60 mins

3. Mount Etna

Discover the wild, less-touristic north flank of Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, on a route once for researchers and now guided by certified volcanologists. From Piano Provenzana (1,800 m)—reachable by paved road—you board authorized 4×4 vehicles up the panoramic north road, crossing forest and the lava fields of the 27 Oct 2002 eruption, passing ruins of the old tourist station and a semi-buried hotel roof. Vehicles climb to about 3,000 m, the highest point allowed when the summit is closed, while active craters fume above. The hike is ~7 km, so good fitness is essential. Walk a stark plateau of fresh lava and ash, visiting craters from 2002, 1911, 1923, 1874, 1879, 1809, 1646, 1614, 1624, the dramatic north-flank fault, ancient lava tubes, and pioneer plants. Views stretch to the Aeolian Islands, Nebrodi, Peloritani, Madonie, Calabria, and Sicily’s east coast from Catania to Syracuse, before a sandy-channel and forest descent back to Piano Provenzana.

Duration: 120 mins

4. Piano Provenzana

Piano Provenzana, on Mount Etna’s north side, is easy to reach by private or rental car along fully paved public roads. Surrounded by pine forest and dramatic lava fields, the area was reshaped by the October 2002 eruption, which destroyed the original facilities and left a striking volcanic landscape of historic interest. You’ll find souvenir shops, cafés and bars for breakfast, lunch or coffee, plus spots to refill water bottles. In winter it serves as a ski resort; in summer it becomes the starting point for guided hikes and excursions. Blue-lined parking areas welcome cars and camper vans. If you’ve booked a tour, meet your volcanological guide directly on-site meeting points. Less crowded than other Etna stations, Piano Provenzana offers a quiet, authentic way to experience Europe’s highest active volcano.

Duration: 30 mins

Inclusion

Entry/Admission to Mount Etna

Licensed Volcanological Guide

Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack

Insurance in case of accidents

Exclusion

windbreaker

Parking ticket (€5 for the entire day on weekdays and €8 on Sundays and public holidays.)

(50€ per person to be paid on the spot) for vehicles 4x4 from 1800m. at 2800m. from 2800m. at 2500m.

Transport service from your accommodation

Cancellation Policy

Refundable tickets

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

100% refund if cancelled 1+ days before the start date
0% refund if cancelled less than 1 day(s) before the start date

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap

Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries

Not recommended for pregnant travelers

Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health

Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular disease (it is strongly discouraged to those who suffer from cardio-vascular problems, breathing problems or hypertension).

The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.

The excursion requires a good preparation on a physical level. Because of it results to be a high height path, it would be easy to experience symptoms of fatigue.

Trekking is not recommended for those who does not do physical activity regularly.

For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guides know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problem and to avoid any risks.

It is required also to be careful, since it is volcanic soil, often inconsistent and unstable.

The route is also suited for children over 6 years old.

We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.

Supplied by Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord