Map of Etna
Excursions
PLACES ETNA ERUPTION 2008
Excursion that we propose to go on the south-east side of the volcano and you will permit in an imposing scenery to visit the places of this new eruption of Etna, was born last 13 of may 2008 and at the present in course.
Departure to the Rifugio Sapienza (1.900 m. a.s.l. – Etna South) with guide. The excursion will continue with cable car and special 4 wheel drive minibuses as far as 2.900 m. a.s.l. where, accompanied by authorized mountain guides you will reach the base of the south-east crater, to visit the places of this new eruption. You will visit the places of the eruption and you will come back on foot with the guide; during the descent it is possible to explore the places of last eruptions of Etna as well as seeing the huge “Bove Valley” a large subsidence in the side of Etna, an area involved in older eruptions.
Trips run every day of the week with departures in the morning at about 10:30, takes about 5/6 hours, its exacting and very interesting.
PEAK ZONE OF ETNA (an altitude of 3.300 m a.s.l.)
The excursion that we propose has as scenery the craters of Etna, in their majesty.
The departure is from the Rifugio Sapienza (at 1.900 m a. s. l.- South Etna) you take first a modern cable car afterwards a special off road minibus getting up to 2.900 m, where accompanied by authorized mountain guides you will reach 3.300 m. From this altitude you can admire the impressive summit of Etna.
During the descent it is possible to explore the flows of the eruptions of July -August 2001 and of the 27th October 2002 as well to see the huge "Bove Valley ", a large subsidence in the side of Etna, an area involved in older eruptions. The Bove Valley collects inside the flows of the eruption 2004.
The above excursion which differs from the traditional trip that takes visitors to 2.900 m, permits you in a unique scenery to reach the top of the highest active volcano in Europe for this reason we organize only small groups. These trips take place every day at about 10.30 in the morning, they last about 6 hours. They are quite exacting.
BOVE VALLEY
The route that we propose will give you the opportunity of visiting the Bove Valley, an extensive depression that opened up on the eastern side of the mountain. It was formed about 100.000 years ago by a succession of collapses widened up as a result of an erosion. The Bove Valley collects inside the ancient eruptive centres of Etna such as the "Calanna", the "Trifoglietto" and the "Mongibello Antico", not visible anymore since they have been covered up by recent lava flows.
After reaching 2.900 m by cable car and a special off road minibus, visiting the places of the eruptions 2001 and 2002.03, you go down a sandy canal up to a valley where, crossing various temporary cones and immense lava expanses, you will get near a rock called "Acqua Rocca degli Zappini", where there used to be a small waterfall among the steep sides of this site immersed in a wonderful beach-wood.
Tour takes about 6 hours, t hey are quite exacting but in the other hand they are routes of rare beauty.
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ERUPTIVE THEATRE OF THE 2002/2003 EUPTION
The route that we propose develops on the southern side of Etna and has as scenery the craters of the recent 2002.03 eruption. The departure is from the Rifugio Sapienza (at 1.900 m a. s. l.- South Etna) you take first a modern cable car afterwards a special off road minibus getting up to 2.900 m, where accompanied by authorized mountain guides you will visit the craters born during the eruption of 2002.03, that has changed this side of the volcano. From this altitude you can also observe the summit of Etna in all beauty and a suggestive scenery.
These trips take place every day, they take about 2/3 hours and they are very easy.
NATURE PATH: MONTE NERO DEGLI ZAPPINI
The path develops on the southern side of the volcano at an altitude of 1.700 m in the area between Vetore Plain, the Blach Mountain and the Forester property. This route brings together important geological and botanical elements, in fact you can admire old eruptive centres, immense lava extensive, hornitos, some endemic plants of Etna such as broom, pioneer larch pine, the oak, the beeches and an uncontested nature at the feet of the highest volcano in Europe.
Moreover following the path, you can visit the "S. Barbara Grotto", an old "tacca", a place where snow was collected and brought down the valley during the summer and the botanical garden called "New Gussonea".
This characteristic route is particularly suitable for the students, to be booked in advance, It takes about 2 hours and It's fairly easy.
MOUNTAIN BIKE EXCURSION "PISTA ALTOMONTANA"
The excursion by mountain bike that we recommend develops along a mountainous track, inside the forest property, principally on the western side of Etna. Departure from Vetore Plain, at an altitude of about 1.700 mt on the south side of the volcano, crossing various eruptive cones and etudes of lava, different woody and vegetation formations, some lava grotto and a following of refuges where you can make a break. The route is particular interesting for the variety and a the beauty of the places visited.
Equipment
for the excursions more long are of primary importance:
» trekking boots
» jackets
» knapsack
» long trousers
» some sandwich and water.
Other Info
Further information about other excursions on Etna can be obtained from Etna Touring that will be glad to grant all your requests.
It is possible to organize some visit in the grottoes, for example in the Ice Grotto, in the Raspberry Grotto and in the Three Levels Grotto.
Excursions with personal guide, for all the people that to wish to visit Etna alone or with some friends.
Excursions with the italian or foreign schools, for the students of primary and secondary school.
Excursions during the winter season by mountaineering ski.
Mountain Bike Rental