Tips and tricks to experience and hike Mount Etna (~3,357 m), an active stratovolcano on the east coast of Sicily, Italy.
Disclaimer: I’ve visited Sicily in Summer 2021, when Etna was very active (daily eruptions). I cannot guarantee that my information is the latest – be sure to check the current conditions and regulations before visiting Etna
Reaching the top*
*or as far as you can go 😉
Due to its constant activity, it is (1) not allowed to hike higher than 2,900 m above sea level without a certified guide and (2) simply safer to have an experienced guide by your side in case the volcano decides to erupt.
You should know that you can currently not reach the summit in a way as it was possible some years ago (where you could basically see inside the main crater). With some “windy” hiking providers, you can go higher than it would be safe, though. My choice is to rather be safe than sorry and the tour I chose was unforgettable – I even did the tour twice!
From personal experience, I recommend going with EtnaWay. Claudio was the nicest guide I could wish for and had an answer for all of my questions. He offers both private and group tours and is super flexible. He speaks German, English and Italian. https://etnaway.com/
For the tour with EtnaWay, we met at the bottom of the cable way at Monte Gebel, took the cable way up and hiked around at the top. Even though the elevation gain is not really high, it is nevertheless quite exhaustive due to the loose ground you will walk on. You will usually walk all the way down to the bottom station of the cable way if you want to do so.
What to wear 
- Hiking shoes (no professional shoes required, but they should cover the ankles to decrease the amount of stones and gravel you will have inside. They will very likely be very dirty afterwards and might get some scratches.) + gaiters (optional, but very useful to keep sharp stones and gravel out)
- Sun protection (sunglasses, hat, sunscreen)
- Wind and cold protection (windproof jacket, fleece, multifunctional scarf (e.g. Buff) to cover mouth and ears)
- Contact lenses were okay for me, but you need to be careful – if you get too much dust into your eyes, it can be dangerous
- Helmets will be provided by the tour operator if necessary (depending on volcanic activity)
GPS-Track
How the tour could look like – depending on the volcano, the weather, the participants,…:
Getting Etna fever
You can check the volcano’s activity live at INGV. As soon as the tremor (the seismic vibrations that indicate the volcano’s activity level) reaches the red zone, an eruption is likely about to happen.
Parallel to checking the tremor, you can keep an eye on the various webcams.
https://www.skylinewebcams.com/de/webcam/italia/sicilia/catania/vulcano-etna-sud.html
Watching the volcano erupt
From Mount Etna
If you are lucky and have the chance to see an eruption (highest chance: high tremor and you are in your car near/on the volcano), you want to have a great spot to see the eruption from a safe distance. My favorite spot: near the Astrophysical Observatory. You get there by taking the Western route SP92 up to Monte Gebel (where the cable way starts) and leaving the road two serpentine turns below Monte Gebel. You’ll also find the place on Google Maps. There is also a nice picknick area around.
Be sure to check the wind direction. When I visited Sicily in 2021, the wind usually came from North West which lead to most of the Ash raining down in the South East of the mountain. You don’t want to be where the Ash cloud moves to.
From Catania
If you prefer a higher distance between you and Mount Etna – or if you happen to be in Catania during the eruption – you have great views from these four points:
Etnea Roof Bar
Great place to have an evening dinner with some drinks. You might need a reservation.
Along Via Etna
My favorite place was directly next to the Basilica Cattedrale di Sant’Agata in the very south of the street.
On the pier of Catania harbor
Get some drinks at “La Bitta” and walk along the pier to find your favorite spot to watch the sunset, people, the sea and the volcano
On top of abbey Sant’Agata
Great views above Catania – always worth the visit. 5 EUR entrance fee.
Explore the volcano’s surroundings
There are various great hikes around Etna where you can experience the volcanic landscape from all sides.
Monte de Fiore circuit
~7.5 km, ~280 ascent and descent, ~1:40 hours
Beautiful walk on the west slope of Mount Etna. 7.4 km with little elevation gain. Partly in pine forest, partly with no shadow (be sure to bring sun protection). You can only see Mount Etna at the very last bit of the tour – but you see multiple small craters and can do a break on Monte De Fiore, a small crater with great views above Sicily!
Monte Zoccolaro tour ~8.3 km, ~450 m ascent, ~2 hours
8.3 km with fantastic views of the volcano’s peak and the valley on the eastern slope. You hike on the south end of the Eastern valley. Parts of the trail are in forest and bushes and it is not always easy to fight your way through the jungle. Be sure to bring enough water and food. You can buy nice souvenirs at a stall at the parking place.
Serra della Concazze tour ~6.8 km, ~480 m ascent, ~2.5 hours
Absolutely stunning 6.8 km tour at the north end of the volcano’s eastern slope – with fantastic views of Mount Etna. Most of the terrain is volcanic ash and stone, only little forest in the beginning and end of the tour. Make sure to find the Grotta di Serracozzo – a beautiful lava cave which is a little bit hidden but super easy to get into. Start and end is at Rifugio Citelli where you can buy a cold drink (and food) afterwards.
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