The PFM Association proposes a series of excursions on the Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe and natural site of the UNESCO World Heritage.
Sartorius MoutainsThe Sartorius Mounts are ancient craters originated during the 1865 lava flow. The path is about 2 km long and it is easily reachable from Fornazzo and Linguaglossa. It starts from the barrier placed by the State Forestry Corps, to reach up the volcanic cones of the mountains. You will continue the walk crossing a wood of Pinus Nigra Laricio, a typical vegetation of this area. Along the way you will enjoy the amazing landscape, hearing the typical songs of birds, such as redstarts and red crossbills.
Lenght: 4 km
Journey time: about 2 hours
Difficulty level: moderate
Difference in height: 100m
Max. height: 1800m asl
N.B. In the winter time with snow, it is possible to walk the trail with snowshoes.
Sciambro TorrentThe Sciambro torrent is one the few water flow of the mount Etna. It is locaded in the Mareneve road, direction Linguaglossa. The path develops through the torrent (almost always in drought) and it is characterized by various volcanological elements.
After walking up the creek, you will come back passing through the opposite side of the mountain, until an old crater next to a refuge. Here you will enjoy the wonderful panorama.
Journey time: about 2 hours
Difficulty level: easy
Difference in height: 50m
Max. height: 1600m asl
N.B. In the winter time with snow, it is possible to make the trail with snowshoes.
Mount Nero and Timparossa Refuge
The departure point is “Piano Provenzana” a famous ski resort located on the northside of Mount Etna. You will walk until the craters originated in 2002 and, after about 1 km, you will turn right towards Mount Nero (The Black Mount). You’ll cross a mule track up to the lava flow of 2002. Then, you will arrive to the slope of mount Nero passing through a stretch full of volcanic bombs (masses formed when a volcano ejects viscous fragments of lava during an eruption) and endemic vegetation, such as astragali aetnesis. Here you can enjoy a beautiful panorama over the north side of Etna and over Peloritani mountains. The path will pass through a wonderful woodland consisting of Beech trees until reaching the lovely Timparossa refuge.
Length: 6 Km
Journey time: about 4-5 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Difference in height: 100m
Max. height:2000 m asl
N.B. In the winter time with snow, it is possible to walk the trail with snowshoes.
Mount Nero of ZappiniThe hike starts at the foot of Monte Vetore at the altitude of 1750 m above sea level. This area is characterized by typical Etna landscape: wide clearing surrounded by evocative lava flows and thick woods. Following the slopes of the Etna you will admire amazing lava landscapes and typical local plants. You will discover several lava flows, like the one that in 2001 stopped near the botanical garden of Nuova Gussonea. You will also visit the bivouac of Santa Barbara, and the S.Barbara cave formed by a characteristic lava well, used in the past as “neviera” (small buildings to store ice). Passing through the dense pine forest, you can finally visit the San Giovanni Gualberto refuge (just from outside).
Lenght: about 7 km
Journey time: 4/5 h including stops
Elevation gain: 200 m
Max height: 1860 m a.s.l.
Difficulty level: Easy
Zoccolaro Mount and Bove Valley
The trip deals with
an approximately two kilometers nature trail, practically only on foot. Along the path, it is possible to admire different forms of vegetation such as Poplar trees, Beech trees and Brooms. Walking along the last stretch of the trail you will reach the goal, marked by a cross. From there, you will enjoy the amazing landscape of Giardini bay, Taormina, and Calabria. The Mount Zocolaro peak is one of the most desired destination during the eruptions on the southern slope of Etna.
From here, it is possible to see really spectacular lava shows.
Length: 2,5 Km
Journey time: about 2 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Difference in height: 300m
Max. height: 1740m asl
Schiena dell’Asino path
The trip begins in Crateri Silvestri, formed in 1892 on the southern slopes of Etna, after a ground fracture, between 2600 m and 1800 m of height. The Silvestri craters are named after the scientist Orazio Silvestri. They are located near the Sapienza Refuge, one of the most popular touristic area of Etna.
The trip continues with the trail along the “Schiena dell’Asino” path at 1850m a.s.l.. The first stretch is characterized by a steep climb in a wood of Pinus nigra laricio. Going up, you can also reach a plain with Sicilian milkvetch (astragalus aetnensis); which thanks to their roots, settle in the pyroclastic by stabilizing the substrate and favoring the life of other plant species. From here, you can have a wonderful view of several volcanic cones, the result of the eruption of the 1792, and some data stations. The hike ends with a steep cliff (about 2,050 m asl), characterized by Sicilian Milkvetch, Junipers and Etna Viola. After having enjoyed the wonderful immensity of the Bove Valley, you will go downhill to the starting point.
Length: 6 Km
Journey time: about 4 hours
Difficulty level: moderate
Difference in height: 200m
Max. height: 2050m asl
The Bove VallyThe trail starts at 1850 m asl and it develops uphill up to a plain area, passing through the “Schiena dell’Asino” path. The trip will proceed with a descent into the depressions (huge troughs), traversing the wonderful lava rock formations, crossed by numerous dykes. After a deep exploration of the valley you will take the back road, passing through an evocative beech forest.
Along the way you will enjoy the amazing landscape of ancient and recent lava flows with characteristics and evocative magmatic structures. You will be also appreciate numerous "dagalas" (isolated vegetation portions surrounded by lava), several new craters, such as “Monte Simone” (1811-1812 eruption) and the “Monti Centenari” (1852-1853 eruption), as well as some rock formations dating back to collapse of the "Trifoglietto".
Journey time: about 8 hours
Difficulty: moderate/difficult
Difference in height: 400m
Max. height: 2000 m asl
Cave of Serracozzo and Bove Vally
Starting from Rifugio Citelli at 1740 m a.s.l., through a fairytale birch forest, you will come across several lava channels, that are the result of the erosion of rainwater on the lava. Once arrived at the picturesque lava cave of Serracozzo (born during the eruption of 1971), you will stop for a packed lunch. The trek will continue uphill until you reach the edge of the Valle del Bove where you can admire a breathtaking landscape. Continuing walking on the ridge, you can also admire the wonderful volcanic landscape.
Length: 12 km
Journey time: 6h
Elevation gain: 500 m
Maximum height: 2250 m s.l.m
Difficulty level: moderate/difficult
Cave of Rotoli
Starting from the Clan dei Ragazzi Refuges at 1500 m a.s.l., you will walk along the path through the Pineta Ragabo and its Pines Larici. The downhill path will lead you to the lava flows of 2002 and 1865 and to the cave of Rotoli (Rolls), so named because of its strange morphologies. This lava flow tunnel of 1865's eruption, gave rise to the well-known Monti Sartorius. Continuing further downhill you will stop at the bivouac of Monte Crisimo to consume a packed lunch. The trek will continue uphill along a path that goes along the stream Sciambro until Primo Monte.
Length: 12 km
Journey time: 6 h
Elevation gain: about 300 m
Maximum height: 1500 m a.s.l.
Difficulty level: moderate
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Pirao Houses and Santa Maria Moutain
During that event, the Mount Etna endangered the town of Montelaguardia, not far from Randazzo. Along the way, you will pass through the Schadlish Grotto, arised throughout that eruption. This Grotto was discovered in 2000 and is about 112 meters long. It is characterized by building in lava stone, which are refuges for hikers. From here, along the same trail, you will come back to the starting point, coasting Santa Maria Mountain.he path to “Case Pirao” you will pass through a wonderful landscape consisting of lava flow products of the 1981 Randazzo Eruption.
NB. On request it is possible to make a medieval tour of Randazzo with a visit of the 3 historic districts (Latin, Greek and Spanish), the main churches and the Museum of Natural Sciences. At the end of the visit, a tasting of typical local produce will be provided.
Length: 10 Km
Journey time: 5/6 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Difference in height: 400m
Max. height: 1600 asl
Summit CratersThe excursion begins by cable car up to a height of 2500 m above sea level and then leads by jeep up to an altitude of 2900 m (Torre del Filosofo). From here begins about 1 h 30 min. of walk uphill to the central crater from which you can see the "Bocca Nuova" crater (3250 m a.s.l.) of 1968.
Climbing steep but short ascent, you will arrive at the Crater of the North East, formed in 1911, the real top of Etna (3329 m a.s.l.). From the top of the volcano you can see a wonderful landscape that also includes the Aeolian Islands. After the packed lunch the descent begins; and you will be able to observe the Valle del Bove, a spectacular depression of 8 km in length and 4 km in width.
Length: about 7.5 km
Elevation gain: 450 meters of positive difference in altitude and 800 negative.
Max. height: 3250 m s.l.m
Duration: 5/ 6h inclusive of stops for explanations and packed lunch
Difficulty level: medium
Discovering Mt.Etna CavesThe trip starts at 1.400 m a.s.l. on the northside of the volcano and it continues crossing “Grotta Corruccio”. On the way, it is possible to see typical lava fields interspersed with green vegetation. Along the way, you will also enjoy wonderful woodland consisting of Austrian Pines and other characteristic endangered plant of Mount Etna. Some relict species dating back to the last glacial periods, even contributing to the formation of dense forests with enchanting charm. The trail goes on with the visit to the “ Grotta dei Lamponi” (Raspberries Grotto), one of the longest lava galleries in Etna. During the path you can admire the typical "dog teeth”, small magmatic stalactites. The trail will proceed through the “Grotta delle Femmine” (Grotto of the Females), another small lava flow structure, and the Grotto of the Palombe.
Length: 15 Km
Journey time: 7-8 hours
Difficulty: moderate
Difference in height: 400m
Max. height: 1800 m asl
High altitude tasting: from birch trees to vineyards of Etna
Starting from an enchanting path near the Rifugio Citelli, you will cross a wonderful birch forest with tree that can reach 15-30 m in height. Crossing the lava flows of 1865 and passing through the chestnut groves, you will arrive to Petto Dragone, where you will participate in a tasty lunch with Etna's wines tasting.
Length: 10 km
Journey time: 4 / 5h
Elevation gain: 600m (downhill)
Maximum height: 1600 m a.s.l.
Difficulty level: medium-easy
Day and time of departure: to be agreed
Meeting Place: to be agreed
Price: differ according to participant number
Necessary equipment: Comfortable shoes, heavy jacket, hat and a small bottle of water.
Booking takes place no later than 48 hours prior departure.
For any further questions please don't hesitate to contact us either by email escursioni@associazionepfm.it or phone: +39 3313457538.