Etna winter hike up to 3000m

Etna winter hike up to 3000m

Do you have (mountain) trekking experience and want to climb Mount Etna in winter? Then this is the hike for you! With the excursion 'Etna winter hike up to 3000m' you will first ascend by cable car and then on foot up to almost 3000 metres on the volcano!

✔ Including Etna cable car a/r
✔ Trekking to the Barbagallo Crater at an altitude of 3000m
✔ Lava flow channel and fumaroles

➤ Only available in the winter months. In the summer months: Mount Etna 3000m trekking Etna Sud

The itinerary Etna winter hike up to 3000m

This excursion starts from Etna Sud - Rifugio Sapienza. At around 08.30 you will meet the guide, and at around 09.00 you will board the cable car to reach 2500 metres. Once you get off the cable car, you will start with the Etna winter hike up to 3000m. This means that you will have a height difference of around 500 meters.

Leaving the cable car, we first climb up to the crater of the 2001 eruption, Crater del Laghetto. After visiting this crater, we continue on foot up to an altitude of about 2750 metres to reach the viewpoint over the Valle del Bove.

From here we climb further up to the Barbagallo craters, the craters of the 2002 eruption. Along the way, the guide shows how much hot gas is still escaping between the lava (this is exactly why you should never walk on the volcano without a guide!) And as icing on the cake, we walk through a unique lava channel. A sort of 'canyon' in the lava.

From the Barbagallo craters there is a splendid view of the two active summit craters: the south-east crater and the central crater. After reaching the Barbagallo craters at almost 3,000 metres, we descend again towards the cable car. Here we take the Etna cable car back down to 1900 metres.

Details Etna winter hike up to 3000m

• Meeting: 08.30 hour
• Departure: 09.00 hour
• Return: around 14.00 hour
• Total duration of the hike: around 5 hours
• Total length: 6,5 - 7 km
• Total height difference: 500 meters

Points of interest:

✓ Lava flow channel
✓ Fumarole
✓ Barbagallo Craters
✓ Observe the Valle del Bove from above
✓ Laghetto Crater
✓ Various lava flows

Keep in mind that trekking in winter may always be different from that described here. This is because the safety of the participants and the guide always comes first. Therefore, the route may be subject to changes due to snow and/or ice.

Timetable and availability

Trekking Etna inverno 3000 m. is available every day in December, January, February and March. The excursion will take place with a minimum participation of 6 persons in total. If this number is not reached, the excursion can be moved to another date. You can then decide whether to postpone your booking or to participate in another excursion.

• Meeting time: 08.30 hour
• Departure time: 09.00 hour
• Finish time: 14.00 hour

Price Etna winter hike up to 3000m

The Etna winter hike up to 3000m costs € 100.00 per person. This consists of €50.00 for the hike itself and €50.00 for the Etna cable car (roundway). Children aged 10 to 12 years pay €95.00. The cost is €45.00 for the hike and €50.00 for the Etna cable car (roundway).

• Adults: € 100,00 per person (€ 50,00 for the hike + € 50,00 for the Etna cable car (roundway))
• Children 10-12 years: € 95,00 per person (€ 45,00 for the hike + € 50,00 for the Etna cable car (roundway))

You can pay on the day of the excursion, directly to the guide and to the Etna cable car ticket office. We do not ask for any pre-payment. Because we work on a trust base. We trust you to show up when you book and you can trust us that the guide is there waiting for you when you book!

Including
✓ Cable car ticket round trip (€ 50.00 INCLUDED)
✓ Authorised volcanological guide
✓ Hiking shoes (on request)
✓ Windbreaker jacket (on request)
✓ Helmet
✓ Hiking poles
✓ Backpack (on request)
✓ Insurance in case of accidents

Excluding
X Drinks and food
X Snowshoes (€ 15.00 per pair - only necessary in case of enough snow)
X Tip for the guide (not obligatory)
X Parking for the car (€ 6.00 per day)

* Excursions may be changed or interrupted at the guide's discretion if weather conditions, environmental causes, or possible volcanic hazards pose any source of danger. There is no refund in this case.

Parking Etna Sud
There is ample parking at Etna Sud. This is a pay car park, there are several places to buy a day ticket for the car.

Guides

During this Etna Sud 3000m trek you will be accompanied by regularly authorised volcanological guides who are experts in the area. The guides speak Italian and English. French is available on request.

Restrictions Etna winter hike up to 3000m

This trek is not permitted to:

• Pregnant women
• Children from 0 to 10 years
• People with back problems
• People with knee problems
• People with respiratory problems
• People not used to walking

FAQ Etna winter hike up to 3000m

1. What kind of clothing should I wear on this excursion?
Good hiking shoes are obligatory during the hike. These can also be provided by the volcano guides (free of charge). In addition, you must dress in layers and bring a good jacket (can also be provided by the guide, free of charge). The weather can change rapidly in the mountains. We recommend:

• Long winter trousers (mountain or ski)
• Sweater + spare shirt
• Sweatshirt (with hood)
• Windbreaker jacket
• Medium/long socks
• Hat
• Headband or scarf
• Gloves
• Sunglasses

2. How difficult and exhausting is this walk?
This is, of course, a very personal matter. Let's say that the hike is basically doable for anyone who is a well trained and fit person. Often it is mainly the altitude at which you walk that makes the hike difficult.

3. Why are snowshoes not included?
Snowshoes are not included because they are not always necessary. Snowshoes will only be used when there is a lot of snow. If you have your own snowshoes, you can use them, otherwise you can rent them (€15.00 per pair) from one of the rental shops near Rifugio Sapienza. Your guide will accompany you on these.

4. Is the Etna winter hike up to 3000m suitable for children?
Only children between the ages of 10 and 12, who are well prepared and physically fit, may participate in this hike. Due to the height at which you walk, the length of the trek and the 500-metre difference in altitude, we have set a lower limit of 10 years.

Booking request