Day trip

Etna: Guided Trekking Tour to Summit Craters

Day trip

Etna: Guided Trekking Tour to Summit Craters

From US$ 54.17 per person

Try some of the most coveted trekking to the highest authorized safety altitude with a volcanological guide on this tour. Admire the extraordinary beauty of Etna and its surroundings of the summit craters.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Duration 6 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
French, English, Italian

Experience

Highlights
  • Admire an stunning landscape from the highest volcano in Europe
  • Walk on the rim of the craters and feel in contact with nature
  • Pass through a lava channel and admire the rock walls
  • Take the cable car until 2,500 mt
  • Walk in a lunar field between lava flows and hot spots
Full description

Enjoy a physical challenge with rewarding views on this guided climb to the highest authorized safety altitude of Etna. Take breaks along the way and capture unique photos of the summit craters as you admire the stunning natural beauty all around you.

After meeting and departing from Rifugio Sapienza, with the cable car you reach an altitude of 2,500 meters and here will start trekking on foot for about 2 hours uphill and 2 hours downhill by visiting a lava flow channel, with both ancient and recent lava flows until you reach the base of the most active crater at the moment, the Southeast Crater and the Central Crater.

Then your guide will also take you to see the great craters of 2002 called Crateri Bargaballo. Enjoy a fun descent over the sand, overlooking Valle del Bove. Finish by taking a cable car to return to the starting point.

Feel safe accompanied the entire way by volcanological guides, who are regularly authorized to guide on active volcanoes, in accordance with local ordinances and volcanic risk levels. They carry out this excursion to the maximum permitted safety level, currently planned at 3000 mt very close to the summit craters of the volcano.

The hike, of great volcanological and geological interest, is a valid alternative to the Summit Craters (3,340 meters), and is among the most complete and fascinating trek you can make on Etna between craters, fractures, and lava flow.

Includes
  • Hiking boots
  • Volcano or Alpine guide
  • Insurance coverage in the event of an accident
  • Rock helmet
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Food and drinks
  • Cable car's ticket (€50 per person to pay in cash on spot)
Not suitable for
  • Children under 10 years
  • Pregnant women
  • People with back problems
  • People with heart problems
  • Wheelchair users
  • People with vertigo
  • People with respiratory issues
  • People with high blood pressure

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meet your guide at the Ashàra's info point located on Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza.

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Important information

What to bring

  • Sunglasses
  • Sun hat
  • Food and drinks
  • Snacks
  • Hiking shoes
  • Sunscreen
  • Water
  • Jacket
  • T-shirt
  • Long pants
  • Socks
  • Daypack
  • Helmet

Not allowed

  • Sandals or flip flops
  • Pets
  • Shorts
  • Baby strollers
  • Luggage or large bags

Know before you go

  • This excursion is aimed at moderately trained hikers who are comfortable hiking on sandy or uneven terrain
  • At the guide's discretion, the excursion may undergo variations in regard to weather conditions, environmental factors, or possible volcanic risks
  • If the summit craters are forbidden due to the strong volcanic activity, the tour will undergo changes using only the cable car (€50 per person) and continuing on foot up to the maximum altitude
  • The guide is entitled to stop the excursion for any reason that could compromise safety or physical integrity of an individual or the group
  • This excursion may be canceled if the minimum number of 4 participants is not reached
  • Please wear the listed items and bring an extra T-shirt, jacket, backpack (10-20L), water, snacks, and a packed lunch
  • All guests are covered by insurance
  • Maximum people in each group about 20
Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.8 /5

based on 635 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    4.9/5
  • Transportation
    4.8/5
  • Service
    4.8/5
  • Organization
    4.7/5

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Star rating:

Pepe is a great guide and the company is very well organized and safety minded. They had boots, coats, poles, and backpacks for people who needed them. You must be in good condition to make this climb. It’s a great experience and definitely worth the money.

March 24, 2023

The hike was wonderful—magnificent views both upward and down to the sea. The terrain thrilling and exotic. At one point, the black rock we were walking on was still warm and venting steam. The guide said the rock had been molten just 4 months before! Our guide was clearly knowledgeable, but his inability to communicate well in English was disappointing. Also, there must be a million fascinating stories about Etna that I am sure he could have shared but didn’t. That was a missed opportunity. Still, it was an unforgettable experience.

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March 24, 2023

Interessante Wanderung mit fachkundigem Guide von 2.500 auf 3.000m Höhe (Danke Pepe!)! Wir konnten leider nicht bis zum Gipfel, da das - täglich aktualisierte - Ampelwarnsystem zu starke vulkanische Aktivitäten anzeigte, aber die Tour lohnt sich trotzdem absolut. Ja, man kann auch selbst mit der Seilbahn hochfahren und dort herumlaufen, aber der Guide führt auch abseits der Pfade durch Lavatunnel und es läuft sich dort deutlich besser in den ausgeliehenen hohen Wanderschuhen als in normalen sneakers.

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March 24, 2023

Product ID: 227776