Is Etna worth climbing to the very top? Request for a tour excursion to volcano etna

At least once in a lifetime, not everyone manages to visit the top of a real active volcano. We were so lucky, we were on top of one of the highest volcanoes in Europe, it is called Etna and is located on the Italian island of Sicily.

Actually, the desire to go to Sicily, and was primarily due to a visit to this unique place in Europe.
Mount Etna, the height at the time of our visit was 3325 m above sea level. The last time it actively erupted was in February 2013; recently. Since that time, the soil on the summit has not yet cooled down, and when we wandered between its side craters, it was felt through the soles of the shoes that the earth was hot. Around the main crater there are many small ones, of which periodically, with an interval of an average of once a year, an eruption occurs with lava flowing out. Many Italians told us that they are waiting for the next eruption, like manna from heaven, because at this time there is a massive influx of tourists on the island, and this is real money for the locals.

There are three colors of smoke over Etna, and all Sicilians know this from early childhood. Waking up in the morning, every inhabitant of the island involuntarily tries to catch a glimpse of the volcano, since it can be seen from afar. For a native Sicilian, a quick glance is enough to assess the situation. So, if white smoke still rises above the volcano, as usual, then everything is in order in Sicily, you can safely go about your business and not worry about anything. If the smoke is red, then most likely an eruption is possible in the coming days or weeks, you need to be ready. And blue smoke means that it's time to get off the island, or rather, immediately take your passport, money and valuables and go as far as possible from the volcano, if possible to the airport to leave the island.

Road to Etna. Lichens grow here and there.

How to climb Mount Etna on your own. Climbing instructions.
There are several ways to climb Mount Etna. The easiest way is to buy a tour from a tour operator. You will be brought there from anywhere in Sicily, they will tell you everything and show you and take you back.
If you decide to get to Etna on your own, then you can get there in two ways: from the south side, where we actually went from, and from the north side of the volcano, which is called Etna Nord. If you are going to the north side, then you must first take the motorway to Fiumefreddo and then further to the Piano Provenzana site.
We were on a more picturesque slope, on the south. From Taormina we drove along the toll highway to the town of Giarra and immediately turned right following the sign through the villages of S.Venerina-Zafferana and Etnea-Etna Sud to Etna. Signposts are common, brown in color and hard to miss. A winding serpentine winding among massive blocks of solidified lava will lead you to the foot of the volcano to a site called Rifugio Sapienza, which is located at an altitude of 1900 meters. An excellent paved road leads here. This name is on the map, but the navigator that I took with me did not see it. Therefore, we drove mainly according to road signs, which turned out to be not at all difficult.
Here, at Rifugio Sapienza, there is a large parking lot, by the way, paid, 4 euros per day. There is also an hourly parking fee. A man walks around the parking lot and explains to everyone where you can pay for parking. We paid for the whole day. After payment, you are given a ticket that you need to put under the glass of your car. From the parking lot to a height of 2300 meters, you already need to climb the cable car.
We knew that it would not be hot on the top of Etna, and maybe even cold, despite the almost forty-degree heat below, so we prepared for this at home, took warm jackets, socks and closed shoes with us. If you do not want to bother with this, you can rent warm jackets and boots. It costs 2 euros per set.

Rifugio Sapienza site.

So, we went into the hangar of the station, from where the cable car starts. There was a small queue for tickets, but it moves quickly. While we were standing in it, for nothing to do, we looked at the smoking peak of the volcano on the "plasma" placed on the wall, where the image is broadcast from a web-camera installed somewhere on top. You can immediately see what the weather is like there. Finally, we come to the checkout. The cashier asks exactly what height you are going to climb, the cost of tickets depends on this. At first, we bought tickets only for the cable car, and already at the upper station, then we bought more tickets for the bus, which takes us even higher and closer to the crater. It was necessary to immediately buy tickets for the bus, but something slowed us down or I did not immediately understand something.

Queue for tickets for the cable car.

Corridor to cabins.

Rope cab.

Then, following the sign, we go to the moving booths. You are greeted by an electronic ticket composter very similar to those installed in Moscow buses. Those. insert the ticket and it immediately jumps back already validated. We pass a little forward and see the approaching booths with the doors already open. We sit down on the move, the doors close automatically and forward, i.e. up. The cabin is designed for six, its walls are glass and everything is perfectly visible through them. She crawls to the top for ten minutes. The impressions are breathtaking and the view from the cabin is amazing, you don’t have time to click the shutter of the camera.

Cable car to Mount Etna.

After getting up and leaving the cabin, you find yourself on a small platform, the height is already 2300 meters. Black loose rubble underfoot. It is felt that it has become somewhat cooler and an idea arises, how not to freeze there, at the top. If you decide to climb Etna without your warm clothes, then here you can rent warm jackets and mountain boots at a price of 2 euros per set. From here, many tourists begin to independently climb to the top of the crater. I really don't recommend doing this. Already at this place it is felt that the air is discharged, there is little oxygen and it really becomes difficult to breathe. I don’t know who you have to be to decide to climb on your own. And we have seen dozens of such self-propelled guns. Many stomp in shorts and regular beach sandals. What they are counting on is not clear, maybe they are atoning for some sins.

The site is at an altitude of 2300 meters. There is a bus stop here.

Here on this site there is a small cafe where you can have a sandwich or pizza and a cup of coffee. We did this on the way back. A couple of monitors are installed right there, on which they show a film about the last eruption of Etna in all its beauties. Very spectacular!
From here, from this site, the main adequate mass of tourists gets on Mercedes buses, which are already taking you to a height of 2900 meters to the side craters. I had to queue up for the bus again. True, they come every ten to fifteen minutes and the queue moves quickly.

The bus goes up to the volcano.

A winding cinder road leads uphill, buses rise along it. It gives the impression that you are driving through a hilly desert plain. Around only black cinder and pieces of crushed penza. On these black hills, lovers of hiking to volcanoes rise or slide down in single file. There is no vegetation around.

Tourists walk on the slopes of Mount Etna. And why should they be afraid, the smoke is white.

The upper platform, where they bring up on buses. From here the buses go down. Here he is, handsome, in all its glory, sleeping for now.

Finally the bus stops and you find yourself at an altitude of 2900 meters. Here the air is even thinner. If you start to go uphill a little, then you immediately feel shortness of breath. There are a lot of people, everyone walks along the paths around the small side craters. When you get off the bus, the guide will immediately try to lure you, for whom, by the way, you have already paid 9 euros at the bottom. This tour fee is sold together with bus tickets. The guide is useful for those who know Italian. In English, especially in Russian, we did not see guides. We walked around the volcano on our own. It wasn't cold at all, but autumn jackets came in very handy for us, especially closed shoes. Through the sole it was felt that the earth was hot, apparently not yet cooled down from the last eruption.

On one of the small craters. In the distance, the main large crater is visible, which still smokes, or, as they say in Sicily, smokes.

Unexpectedly found a small snowdrift. The ground is hot underfoot, but here the snowdrift is real.

Remains of volcanic activity.

We are on the ground, but above the clouds.

Small craters smoke themselves slowly.

It took us an hour and a half to do everything, after which we returned to the bus stop and boarded the first one going down.
There was no longer any queue back to the funicular, and we rode together in the booth. Having gone down to the Rifugio Sapienza, we walked around the souvenir shops. People mainly buy Sicilian honey, it is sold in almost every shop. Basically, all souvenirs from Etna are all kinds of crafts made from black lava or penza. We changed by the car. The cost of tickets for Etna per person is: 28.75 euros (cable car) + 22.40 euros (bus) + 9 euros (guide). Total 60.15 euros.

Souvenirs from Etna.

We were already descending back along another road, but also along the southern slope. Our path lay in Catania.
Etna volcano can also be reached by regular bus. First you get to Catania, there at the bus station take a bus that will take you to Rifugio Sapienza. The ticket costs something around 30 euros for one. And then it is already clear what to do.

Eruption of Mount Etna in April 2011. Video author: AndreaErcolani

Well, what are you - the largest active (!) Volcano in Europe? How will you meet us - with silence, a light cloud or ashes? We climbed the volcano when it was smoking, and everyone was strictly forbidden to climb more than 2700 meters. As an experiment, they decided to climb completely on foot, without the help of funiculars.

How you can get to the volcano in general and what happened from our ascent - I tell in the article.

It all started 2 weeks before the trip - a friend carefully sent us the latest news that Mount Etna had woken up. In a panic from the possible cancellation of the trip, I rushed to watch the life story of Etna and was relieved to see that this volcano - just like a bear in winter in Siberia - wakes up once every couple of months, mumbles something under his breath and falls asleep back.

So, luckily the trip took place.

The closest to the volcano is the city of Catania, from where you can get in several ways.

Shuttle bus company AST

The most budgetary and, IMHO, convenient option. This bus runs only once a day - at 8.15 it leaves the station in Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII and goes back at 16.30. A ticket costs 6 euros round trip, buy a little in advance at the box office. And in general, in order to be guaranteed to get on this bus, it is worth buying tickets at the ticket office nearby, if not a day earlier, then at least half an hour before departure. In the season, there are a lot of people who want to get to Etna in this way. Our bus with 40 seats was completely filled.

I was a little afraid that the road would be with serpentine, but it turned out that it was not at all scary and even I, with a tendency to motion sickness, did not get through at all.

A guide is traveling with you on the bus, and at some point he will start talking about the possibilities of climbing the volcano and, of course, offering his excursion for 80 euros, explaining that without him you will see little, and not only with him see beautiful craters, but also get a set of safe climbing clothes. The guide was convincing, but there was also the Internet with us on the bus, which helpfully told us that we should not hastily agree - if anything, such an excursion can be bought on the spot.

The bus makes one short stop in the village after about an hour of travel - you can go to the toilet and treat yourself to a sweet in the nearest cafe (as usual in Italy, this is very tasty). An hour later - at 10 am with a tail, the bus arrives at the end point of its route - at a height of 1910 meters at the Rifugio Giovanni Sapienza / Rifugio Sapienza site.

It turns out that a little more than 6 hours remain for the volcano itself, and I will tell you that this is more than enough (even if we consider that we climbed completely on foot, and this is a long time). If you're planning on taking the funicular up, then you'll also need to consider how to keep yourself entertained for the rest of your time (one option below).

Special tourist bus

As soon as you appear in the center of Catania, someone's caring hands will surely give you a leaflet with tourist bus routes. To get to Etna (to the same platform at an altitude of 1910 meters) on a red bus with the promised audio guide costs 35 euros for an adult and “only” 25 euros for a child under 7 years old.

The route also runs once a day, but not in the morning, but closer to noon - departure from Piazza Duomo at 11.30, arrival at the site - after about 2 hours (at 13.30), and at 17.30 - departure back.

As part of a private tour

If you are not too tight on funds, this is a great option. By going to Etna with a real guide, you will obviously hear and learn much more than if you took a guide right on the volcano. As always, here are a couple of excursions from the Tripster website - one to Etna and two to the surrounding area - these reviews can really be trusted.

rental car

A big plus of this option is that you can be on the volcano, for example, at dawn and be literally alone with the volcano. As I wrote above, although the road goes up all the time, it is not very difficult and does not require any special ability to drive on mountain roads. I look at car prices here this site.

How to dress for Etna

Having had the experience of climbing a volcano in Hawaii and having read the reviews about Etna, I took an extra warm sweater and jacket with me. As a result, somewhere up to 2400 meters I walked in a regular T-shirt, almost at the very end I put on a jacket. The sweater was not needed. It was in the middle of June, there was a terrible heat below, but here it was very comfortable. I think if you don't climb in the summer, then an extra sweater would be useful.

However, at the first parking lot and at the top of the funicular there is a clothing and equipment rental shop. One unit costs 3 euros.

What is important is to have comfortable shoes with thick soles. Serious mountain boots are not at all required, but it is better that the shoes are still closed. Be prepared for the fact that after being on a volcano, especially if you walk everywhere with your feet, your shoes will be very, very dusty.

Is it safe to climb Mount Etna?

At this question, the evil general from the “Police Academy” immediately appears: “Sergeant, are you out of your mind? You are going to an active volcano! How safe is that!!” But, fortunately, it's just an image. Etna is closely monitored and all ascents will be banned if something goes wrong. But nevertheless, this is actually an active volcano, you need to keep your eyes open and not go where they are not allowed. Overall, it feels very safe.

How to climb Mount Etna

Stage 1 - up to 1900 meters

To be honest, at an altitude of 1900 meters, where all buses reach, there is no particularly bewitching beauty. Yes, it is high, but it is the volcanic landscapes that are not yet impressive here.

The only thing you can try is to ride from there on a special tourist train that will take you to this height for 10 euros.

Stage 2 - up to 2500 meters

The easiest option to climb higher, which is used by almost everyone, is the funicular, which will take you to a height of 2500 meters in 20 minutes and 30 euros per person.

It is fast, quite beautiful, but we decided that by going by funicular we might miss some beauty and went on foot. The guide said that the ascent would take about 1.40-1.50, and the good uncle Google optimistically stated that we would reach it in an hour. As a result, the ascent took 1.50, as the guide said.

And you know what? The landscapes are really quite beautiful, but it is worth repeating our path only if you have really good physical fitness. The ascent is quite steep, the slope consists of small volcanic pebbles. In general, I, being quite hardy and trained, got tired at the end.

And my companion is not at all, he also answered the workers’ emails in the process%) So, apparently very, very prepared people, the ascent will only be a joy

Stage 3 - up to 2700 meters

One way or another, the legs or the funicular will take you to a height of 2500 meters. And here again the choice:
a) you can get into a small special jeep bus for 24 euros per person and drive a little higher, look at the craters.
b) you can go to the tour office (everything is near the funicular), there you can find out about excursions - you will be assigned to a group, and for the same 30 euros you will get a rental helmet and shoes and go to conquer the peaks with a guide.
c) you can use your legs and walk around the craters.

Frankly, in this case, it is worth walking on your own. You walk along the same paths (they are well trodden, comfortable for walking) as tourists in equipment, and, frankly, in these conditions it is generally useless (well, only if you are not in shales, of course).

Perhaps when the volcano is in deep dormancy and you can climb higher than 2700 meters, it makes sense to take an excursion on jeep buses, but if you are already at 2500, then you will definitely climb 200 meters up and walk around the craters.

On Etna

High. You are so small among the volcanic mountains and at the same time almost a demigod at the top. Here and there flocks of tourists flash by, but they are the size of pigeons and are simply lost against the background of dark sand. You look at space from all sides. Great, wild expanse with justice only he understands. For many times this volcano destroyed entire cities, hot lava flowed from its slopes, which instantly turned all living things into coals.

Now Etna is restlessly dozing, sometimes noisily snoring and throwing smoke from her depths. Who knows what this volcano with a female name is dreaming of? And what will happen when he finally wakes up?

Active Mount Etna– one of the main attractions of Sicily. To visit the island and not visit the famous volcano would be a big omission, because there are various ways to get to. The most convenient way to get from Catania– the nearest major city to the volcano, but if you wish, you can also get from other cities of Sicily.

Excursions to Mount Etna

If you don’t want to climb the volcano on your own, you can always book around Etna with a Russian-speaking guide, where you will learn about its unusual features, centuries-old influence on people and the environment, hear the myths and legends associated with it.

Book a guided tour in advance– the most interesting, but rather costly option.But its main advantage is that it makes it possible to climb where everyone else is not allowed.– to the crater of the volcano. You can also rent electric bikes to explore the area.

How to get to Etna from Catania

One of the most popular ways for tourists to get to Etna– drive along the southern slope to the base of Rifugio Sapienza, which is located at an altitude of 1900 meters. Shuttle buses run from Catania. Every day at 8.15 the bus leaves the square Papa Giovanni XXII (opposite the Catania railway station) and actually goes to the Rifugio Sapienza funicular station. The ticket can be bought from the driver, it costs 4 euros one way, 6 euros– round-trip, and the journey takes about two hours. The return bus leaves at 16.30– during this time you need to have time to see everything, otherwise you will have to spend the night at a tourist base.

Arriving at Rifugio Sapienza, you will need to take the funicular and climb to a height of 2500 meters– there is the base of La Montagnola. A ticket for a cable car trip will cost 27 euros. Climbing La Montagnola, you can walk or rent an SUV with a tour guide (about 30 euros) to climb to a height of 3000 meters– to the top of the volcano. The tour lasts 30 minutes but only English or Italian is offered. In bad weather, the cable car does not work and you can only get to the top on foot (the journey takes about two hours).

How to get to Etna from Taormina

If you choose the route on the southern slope, you should go along the A18 motorway, at Giarre there will be a congress, then you have to follow the signs S. Venerina - Zafferana Etnea - Etna Sud .

To the north slope you need to go along the highway A 18 to Fiumefreddo , then go up to Piedimonte Etneo - Linguaglossa - Etna Nord to Piano Provenzana . Then you will need to climb on the cable car to a height of 2500 meters, and then on SUV buses to the mark of 3000 meters.

What to Avoid When Visiting Mount Etna

Some tourists order a taxi or rent a bicycle to get to Etna on their own. These options are the least successful: a taxi will be expensive, and you can only use it to get to Rifugio Sapienza. Riding a bike is not much more comfortable than walking– it will be difficult to go up, and going down is possible only along the road rolled by buses.

We wish you an unforgettable trip to Mount Etna!

How to climb Mount Etna on your own, without a car and money? This article is a detailed guide for travelers who want to save an extra 100 euros, but at the same time conquer the highest active volcano in Europe.

Mount Etna is located on the island of Sicily, Italy. On this island, there is something to do without Etna. I wouldn't be surprised if someone told me that he spent a week in Sicily and didn't have enough time for Etna. After all, here are the most beautiful beaches in Italy, the shores of the island are washed by three seas at once and the spirit of history that imbues every street in every city. Palermo, Catania, Syracuse - all these cities were founded before our era and have a huge cultural layer of history.

View of the rooftops of Catania and Mount Etna

Therefore, it is not surprising that not every traveler goes to Sicily to conquer Etna. But this article will be just a guide for those who want to climb to the top without a car and as cheaply as possible.

As it turned out, when climbing a volcano, there is where to spend money and not small money. But first things first.

Etna on your own, without a car

How to get to Etna on your own?

At the bottom of 200 meters from us refugio sapienza and the start of the funicular for 35 euros

How to climb Mount Etna cheaply?

• The bus goes from Catania to Refugio Sapienza for almost two hours. Slowly, along a mountain serpentine, it rises to a height of 2000 m. And the higher, the more amazing the views.
• At about 10:00 the bus reaches the final stop and here the next stage of the ascent to Etna begins.
• As it is written above, only one flight per day goes to the volcano, the same goes back. The same bus leaves back to Catania daily at 16:35. In total, each traveler has 6 hours and 30 minutes to conquer this famous peak.
• I recommend spreading the time as follows: 4 hours for the ascent and 2 for the descent, and 30 minutes in reserve, but you never know what. Yes, and you also need to take a breath after the descent. In total, wherever you are, but 4 hours after the bus dropped you off, and this is 14:00, you need to turn back in order to catch the return flight.
• A taxi from Etna will cost like heroin, about 150 euros per car.
• At Refugio Sapienza you have two options:

1. To buy a ticket for the funicular, which in 10-15 minutes will take you to a height of 2800, for many tourists this is already enough and they do not go further. A ticket for the funicular costs 35 euros per person round trip.
2. You can go on foot. The test is not easy, the climb is quite steep, the feet get stuck in the lava sand (trekking shoes are required). This ascent took quite a lot of energy from us and took an hour and a half. You choose 35 euros or a walking "walk"

Walking, cheap and windy and still fun

• At an altitude of 2800, where the funicular ends and where you stomp in an hour and a half, if you choose the second option, there is a souvenir shop, a cafe with sandwiches, hot tea and coffee, a toilet, rent shoes and warm clothes (5 euros). Here you can rest, refresh yourself, take cover from bad weather in which case.
• We were on Etna in early May, the weather in Catania at an altitude of 0m above sea level was +22, on Etna at an altitude of 2800m +15, and we did not take rent warm clothes. We had enough of our fleece and windbreakers. I note only that the higher, the stronger the wind. At the top, the wind was so strong that it was impossible to stand, it was blown right into the crater.

Me and the snow covered in lava ash (I'm on the left)

Some important information about the highest active volcano in Europe: Etna erupts annually several times a year. After the eruption, the terrain changes and there are practically no accurate maps of walking routes. There are also about 400 craters on Etna, each of which can spew lava. And the main crater (Crater de centrale) is closed to tourists all year round.

We are on top of Etna, in one of the craters from which lava flowed a month ago

But there are enough people who want to save money, you just follow everyone and you won’t be mistaken, and you are not in the forest but on a volcano, the main thing is to go up and sooner or later you will come to the top :).

• From the height of 2800m, where the funicular ended, you can take a “bus” for 30 euros per person, which will take you to the maximum height open to tourists of 3000m. There you will make a bunch of beautiful photos for the instagram and you can go down.
• Or you can walk the same thing on foot and climb into one of the craters on your own, which is still smoking and collect full pockets of freshly solidified lava.
• Going back down is much faster, we went down to a height of 2000m in an hour and a half, where we safely bought souvenirs from volcanic stone and at 16:35 boarded the bus to Catania.
• In comparison, climbing Mount Etna is not easy. Who has been to say that, Troll tongue is harder. Etna is easier to climb, but preparation is still needed, since the difference in altitude of 3000 meters versus 700 in Norway matters. At such a height, forces end faster and the body does not have enough oxygen. This is expressed: a bad mood, a headache, barely dragging legs, as the muscles are clogged.

Going back down, it's not so fun anymore

Now let's count: we walked the whole route and spent only 6.6 euros per person for a bus to Etna and back to Catania. If desired, it was possible to reach a height of 3000m by transport and it would cost us 6.6 euros a bus to a height of 2000m + 35 euros a funicular to a height of 2800m + 30 euros "bus" to a height of 3000m = 71.6 euros per person.

The only other thing I recommend is to buy extended medical insurance. Anything can happen in life, and such an ascent is not like drinking beer on the couch. Luckily, it doesn't cost more than $5. At the bottom of the article there is a link to a resource that sells extended insurance just for people like us :).

A smoking volcano right under your feet

And a few thoughts out loud: a person does not appreciate what he gets easily. And this applies to everything in life. Having put maximum efforts to achieve your goal, the effect of achieving the desired result will be much higher. You can pay 70 euros and they will take you by the hand to the top of the volcano, you will stand on the edge of the crater, take some insanely beautiful photos and that's it. How long such a journey will remain in your memory and how many emotions you will receive, only you know. And it's up to you to decide which path to choose.

Total: we left the hotel at 7:30 am and returned to the hotel at 19:00. Exhausted, tired, barely moving, but happy, full of emotions and satisfaction from one more small victory in life. Another point on the world map has been conquered.

Climbing Etna on your own is something that will remain in your memory forever.

The job is done, you can go home

An extreme ascent to Mount Etna can always be combined with a beach holiday, since this is easy to do in Sicily. Read on and maybe this will be the next place you go on holiday.

If you are interested in traveling to the natural attractions of our planet, I advise you to read the report. It is truly one of the natural wonders of the world.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: below are the main resources that help us organize any independent trip (immediately add the necessary to your bookmarks):

Air travel: is the largest meta search engine for airline tickets in Runet. Search for 100 airlines including low-cost airlines.

Hotels with discount:- high-quality and convenient hotel search engine. Compares prices from all booking sites, including booking, ostrovok and shows where is cheaper. Personally, we always book accommodation only here.

Ready tours: and - the two largest aggregators of ready-made tours to all countries of Europe and Asia without going to the office.

Car rental:— convenient car rental service. — pretty cheap car rental in Europe. Any service of your choice.

Medical insurance for tourists:— convenient insurance for those traveling abroad. 4-5$ for extended insurance in the Schengen zone. Insurance works even in Zanzibar - personally verified 🙂

Etna (Etna/Mount Etna) - the currently active volcano (stratovolcano), is the highest volcano in Europe and, due to frequent eruptions, is considered one of the most active volcanoes in the world. It has an area of ​​about 1250 sq. km and approximately 3350 meters in height.

The volcano is located on the east coast of Sicily, near the cities of Catania and Taormina, and also not far from Messina. The volcano has several hundred different craters, some of which can be seen by visiting Etna. The lava that erupts from time to time from the bowels of the volcano is rich in a large number of minerals, so the land enriched with minerals is very fertile, and the slopes of Etna have the status of a nature reserve. Olives, pomegranates, citrus and fruit crops grow here, and white grapes grown on enriched land have an incomparable pronounced pleasant taste (unusual and delicious, worth a try).

Mount Etna is one of the main symbols of Sicily, included in the list of the most interesting, visited and unpredictable attractions not only on the island, but throughout Italy, and possibly even Europe.

Naturally, everything is very individual and every attraction is an amateur, someone likes Etna and similar heights, and someone prefers the narrow streets of old cities and sunny coasts.

For us, Etna has become an incredible adventure, leaving behind a lot of positive emotions and unforgettable impressions. We specifically went to (there is a public bus to Etna from the city) to visit Etna on our own. Of course, this is an amazing place that combines the unsurpassed beauty and power of nature, here you can go through the clouds and feel the “breath of the earth”, and the unique views from the height of a large crater are breathtaking and look simply unreal. This must be seen personally, in words and photographs, even one fraction of a percent cannot convey all the sensations that you experience while on Etna.

Tourist routes to Etna. On your own to conquer Etna

In the summer (from April to November) you can make a tourist climb to the volcano, see its craters and hardened lava. And in winter (December to March) - guests are invited to curb the "living giant" by skiing on its slopes.

There are several ways to visit Etna.:

With a tour;

On your own by car, renting a car. A trip by car gives you more flexibility: firstly, you can go from anywhere on the island, and secondly, you will not be tied to the bus schedule;

On my own by public bus from Catania (this was our option).

For tourists wishing to visit Etna, there are three routes:

Southern, from Catania. We found it the most interesting.

The eastern route passes through the village of Zafferana. The South and East routes join at 1923 meters at Rufigio Sapienza. This is where the cable car starts.

The northern route runs on a slope and is less touristy. This slope is more picturesque (there are greenery and flowers here) than the southern route, however, it seemed to us less attractive in the sense that when traveling along it, you are unlikely to feel all the charms of the volcano - a height of under 3000 meters with solidified lava, craters and all "wildness" of mother nature. The northern route passes through the small towns of Piedimonte Etneo and Linguaglossa, and leads to the base of Piano Provenzano (Piano Provenzana), where there is a ski resort and an equestrian center.

Southern route (cable car, volcanic rocks, craters, icy wind and clouds)

We will tell you about how to get by bus from Catania to Etna at the end of the article.

The route starts from the Etna Cable Car, located at an altitude of 1923 meters above sea level. Here, on an equipped site, there are: parking, souvenir shops, several cafes, as well as cash desks. At the height of the tourist season (from May to October), there are a lot of people who want to climb Mount Etna, so the queue starts even from the street.

At the box office you can buy tickets for the cable car, the cost is 30 euros in both directions. The cable car will take you to the station, located at an altitude of 2500 meters. You can also buy a bus ticket (off-road vehicle), which will be able to climb higher, to the highest point available to tourists - the large crater of Barbagallo (Crateri barbagallo), cost 24 euros, + purchase a guide for 9 euros. You can buy all three services in a complex or each separately.

Since Etna is an active volcano and depending on weather conditions, the height and conditions of excursions (routes) may change.

During the summer season (April to November), the Etna cable car is open daily from 09:00 to 16:15 (last departure uphill).

We purchased lift tickets only. When buying a ticket, they issue a plastic card, which will be needed to pass the turnstile on the ascent and on the descent. Alternatively, you can not buy anything, but go on foot, the path for hiking passes right here, near the cable car. It is impossible to get lost, everything is clear and simple.

Having stood in line, we sit down in the cable car cabins and ride, enjoying the views

At an altitude of 2500 meters is the end point of the cable car. Here, indoors, there is a cafe, places to relax and a souvenir shop where, among others (drinks, sweets, honey, various gift sets, etc.), you can also buy souvenirs from frozen lava. Prices in the cafe are higher than at the lower cable car station. Many take food and water with them, after climbing and walking along Etna, brutal hunger attacks. We took only crackers, peaches and water, which we later regretted, we should have taken more food.

Here you can also rent warm windproof jackets and trekking shoes. The price is 3 euros per jacket. On Etna, even in summer, it is cold, an icy piercing wind blows with strong gusts, hands freeze instantly. We advise you to dress warmly, be sure to wear pants, comfortable shoes and a jacket. We were in sweatshirts, + took sweatshirts with us, put them on, but when we went outside, we immediately froze and ran back, we had to rent jackets. The air temperature at the foot was +27 degrees, felt on Etna +1 degree.

Off-road vehicles are standing at the exit from the cable car building. Those who have purchased a bus ticket will be taken to a large crater.

From the platform near the cable car offers beautiful views

Nearby, on the right side, there are several small craters, you can walk to them.

We go further on foot, to the very large crater of Barbagallo. The tourist route is quite convenient, even children of 10 years old can overcome it. The sensations, of course, are amazing - clouds floating past you at a frantic speed, as if they are cutting space and you can reach them with your hand. And the silence and the unique volcanic landscape that stretches around as far as the eye can see create a sense of mystery and otherworldly reality.

mesmerizing unreal

The ascent is complicated only by strong gusts of wind, sometimes almost knocking you off your feet and loose lava with ash, in which your feet get stuck.

Along the way, there are signs indicating the height you have reached.

About two hours of leisurely walking and here we are at the very place where off-road vehicles bring those who bought a ticket - the large central crater of Barbagallo.

Here you can walk around the top of the crater

From this point, incomparable views of the vastness of Etna, its craters and peaks open up, and also, below the level of the clouds, you can see the beauty of Sicily, those surroundings that stretch out at the foot of Etna.

Feel like "above the clouds"

And feel the "breath of the earth." From small pits, literally 10-20 cm deep from the surface, the heat of the volcano emanates - you can warm your icy hands. Still, our planet is amazing and beautiful, we stand under the gusts of an icy wind with a frozen face, but literally a little underground and already hot.

On the way back, everyone was invited to the buses, no one checked the tickets. But we decided to go down on foot and once again enjoy the delights of Etna.

Excursions to Etna

Etna on your own from Catania

As mentioned above, a public bus from AST runs from Catania once a day. Departure at 08:15 from Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII, near Catania Central Station. This bus will take you to the lower platform of the cable car. Return flight from the same lower station (Rifugio Sapienza) to Catania at 16.30.

A round-trip ticket costs 6.60 euros. Tickets must be purchased at the AST office on the day of departure, they are not sold in advance. A small office of the company is located near the square, you need to cross the ring road to this building

turn into the alley (Via Sturzo Luigi), which is on the left side of the building, and here, on the left side, you will see the AST office

Tickets start selling around 08:00. Buses will stop at the square itself. In the summer, two buses leave, there are usually a lot of people, so if there are not enough seats, you will have to ride standing up. To take seating, we advise you to arrive a little early.

From the cable car to Catania, the first bus departs a little earlier than the stated time (16:30), somewhere at 16:10 and picks up everyone who has already returned from the volcano. Already at 16:15 we drove away from the cable station. The second one will arrive around 4:30 pm.

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