Itinerary Etna Sud 3000m trekking

Your adventure begins at Rifugio Sapienza (altitude 1900 m), the main departure point for excursions on the southern slope of Mount Etna. After meeting your licensed volcanological guide and a short briefing, you will take the Etna cable car to 2500 meters above sea level.

From here, the trekking begins. Accompanied by your guide, you will follow volcanic trails through ancient lava fields, pyroclastic flows and recent deposits, gradually ascending to around 3000 meters altitude. Along the way, your guide will share insights about past eruptions, visible volcanic formations, and active craters in the distance.

As you approach the higher altitudes, you’ll walk along the rim of large extinct craters, with spectacular views of:

• The South-East crater, often active and fuming
• The Ionian Coastline, stretching from Catania to Taormina
• The Valle del Bove, a massive collapsed caldera

After a scenic break and photo stop at the Barbagallo crater (nearby the former Torre del Filosofo area), you’ll begin your descent back to 2500 meters. From there, you’ll take the cable car again to return to the starting point at Rifugio Sapienza.

Details Mount Etna 3000m trekking

The meeting point to start for this Etna Sud 3000m trek, is on the southern slope of Mount Etna at Rifugio Sapienza – Nicolosi. When you arrive at the Piazzale di Rifugio Sapienza, you will meet the guides who will assist you for the trek from 1900 m. up to an altitude of 3000 meters on the Mount Etna volcano. Along the way you will stop at a few viewpoints to take photos of the Etna volcano.

The Mount Etna 3000m trekking – Etna Sud is available daily on reservation, even in winter with snow! The excursion begins at 09.00 am in the morning. However, you need to be there already at 08:30 so that you can meet with the volcanological guide and have a briefing. Your equipment will be checked and we will provide you with a helmet, poles and a windbreaker jacket if you need it.

• Meeting: 08.30 am Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza – Etna Sud
• Departure: 09.00 am by cable car (included in the price)
• Return: 14:00 / 15:00 approx.
• Total duration: 5/6 hours
• Length: 8 km
• Total elevation gain: +500 meters and -500 meters

Etna Sud 3000m trekking is suitable for everyone as long as you have good physical condition, and 10 years old and above.

Parking Etna Sud
You can find ample parking at Etna Sud. This is a paid parking lot; there are several places to buy a day ticket for the car.

• Starting point: Rifugio Sapienza - Etna Sud
• Departure time 09.00 am
• Meeting time: 08.30 am
• Return time 2.00 / 3.00 pm
• Total duration: 5 to 6 hours
• Total elevation gain: +500 m. and -500 m.
• Highest point ≃ 3000 m.
• Walking distance: 6,5 – 7 km
• Duration Cable Car ≃ 15 Minutes (oneway)

Price and availability

The Etna South 3000m trekking costs €50.00 per person (plus the ticket for the cable car). The trekking will take place with a minimum of 6 participants. Groups are often made up of a maximum of 15–20 people and are always led by a certified volcanological guide.

Cable car prices (2025):

• Adults (Ages 11–99): €52.00 per person
• Children (Ages 5–10): €30.00 per person
• Sicilian residents: €15.00 per person

You can pay on the day of the excursion, directly to the guide. We do not ask for any advance payment, because we work on a trust basis: we trust that you will show up after booking, and you trust that the guide will be ready and waiting for you.

Including and Excluding

What to bring

Clothing and shoes
It is mandatory to wear good hiking shoes during the hike. These can also be provided through volcanological guides (free of charge). Also, it is necessary to dress in layers and bring a jacket (It can also be provided by the guide, free of charge). The weather can change rapidly in the mountains. We recommend:

• Long pants (mountain)
• T-shirt + extra T-shirt
• Sweatshirt (with hood)
• Windbreaker jacket
• Medium/long socks
• Backpack

Food and drink
No food or drinks are included. You must bring at least 1.5 liters of water. We recommend that you bring:

• Backpack
• At least 1.5 liters of water
• Snacks (salty and sweet)
• Gatorade
• Packed lunch

You can also buy something in one of the bars at Etna Sud before you go up by the Etna cable car, or in the bar at an altitude of 2,500 meters as soon as you get off the cable car.

• Layered clothes
• Backpack
• 1,5 L Water
• (Wind)jacket
• Hat
• Packed lunch
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen

Faq