Mt. Etna and Alcantara Gorges Excursion
Looking for the perfect mix of volcanic adventure and refreshing moments of relaxation? Hiking Mount Etna and the Alcantara Gorges is the perfect choice for you!
Mount Etna is one of the wonders that make Sicily unique: at 3350 m above sea level, it is the highest active volcano in Europe and is known for its frequent eruptions and adventurous landscapes.
The Alcantara Gorges are a major attraction on the northern slope of Mount Etna, a spectacular Sicilian lava canyon created by the waters of the Alcantara and ancient Etnean eruptions. The views are breathtaking and the wilderness of the area creates a magical atmosphere.
- 8 hours
- Min. 2 guests
- € 80.00 adults; € 60.00 children 3-10 years old
Etna and Alcantara Gorges Tour
Our Etna and Alcantara Gorges hike is always the perfect choice for every enthusiast, from beginners to experienced hikers: it is our most popular and beloved itinerary among hikers!
Discover the fascinating landscapes of Etna’s northern slope: you will enjoy impressive views of Etna’s slopes, have the opportunity to see up close and touch ancient lava flows, admire craters still in activity, and appreciate a typical Sicilian landscape with its crops and rural villages.
After a lunch break (included in the price), our adventure will take a more relaxing turn with a visit to the Alcantara Gorges: after hiking Mount Etna, especially in the warmer months, it is a pleasure to bathe in the refreshing waters of the Alcantara River and relax on the beach(entrance fee is included in the price).
One of our experts will accompany you throughout the tour, telling you about Etna’s history, geology, and unique features. We will do our best to ensure you have the most fun, so that you can take with you the sweet memory of an unforgettable experience!
Itinerary Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion
Etna: Lava Front of the 2002 eruption
The Etna and Alcantara Gorges tour begins in an SUV or minivan (up to 8 passengers per vehicle). The first stop of our tour is an off-road route to the lava front of October 27, 2002—the largest eruption in recent history, which destroyed the Piano Provenzana ski resorts and part of the Ragabo Pine Forest.
Etna: Monti Sartorius craters
Passing through the Ragabo Forest, following the Mareneve road, we will reach the starting point of the trek to the Monti Sartorius craters near Rifugio Citelli, where our hike will continue on foot. This is a walk of easy difficulty, suitable for everyone, the route is about 3km long in total, starting from an altitude of 1665m and arriving at an altitude of about 1775m.
We will walk along a characteristic Etnean path, among birch trees and button crater sides (“bottoniera”), the Sartorius Craters, on the northeastern slope of Etna. We will reach several vantage points with unique and spectacular views.
- If you are interested in learning more about the name of these craters we refer you to this article on the famous volcanologist Wolfgang Sartorius.
Etna: Grotta dei Ladroni - Grotta delle Nevi (lava cave)
After our trek to the Sartorius we will go to explore an Etna volcanic cave, the Grotta dei Ladroni (also called Grotta delle Nevi). Equipped with helmets and flashlights, we will go inside this lava flow tunnel to discover its formation and history.
This is a tunnel of lava origin, located at Piano delle Donne at 1540 m a.s.l. Part of the cave has been excavated by man, as evidenced by the date engraved on a rock at the top of the entrance: 1776. In addition to making steps and widening what was a lava flow tunnel, a number of holes were drilled in the vault to allow for the introduction and accumulation of snow. In centuries past, Etna’s inhabitants used this cave to store snow in the winter months, later reselling it in the warmer months.
Lunch break at a restaurant
We will then stop at an Etnean restaurant to rest and have lunch: first course, drink and coffee are included in the price of the excursion.
Alcantara Gorges
After lunch the tour will continue to the Alcantara Valley, passing through Castiglione di Sicilia: it is one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in Italy”, with features similar to a medieval village, famous today for its wineries that produce an excellent Etna DOC.
Our Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion will come to an end with a visit to the Alcantara Gorges, also known as the Larderia Gorges. They are located in the “Alcantara River Park”, at the point where the Peloritani mountain range ends in the municipalities of Castiglione di Sicilia and Motta Camastra (one of the places where some scenes of the famous film The Godfather were filmed). We will descend inside the Alcantara Gorges via the municipal entrance, the entrance fee is included in the price.
Etna and Alcantara Gorges tour details
- Adults price (10 years and older): €80.00 per person
- Children price (3-10 years old): €60.00 per person
- Children (under 3 years old): free
- Lunch is included in the price
- Departure time: 09:00
- Return time: 17:00
Etna:
- From April to May:
Weather and temperatures vary; we recommend layered winter clothing and sneakers. - June to September: Warm temperatures, we recommend summer clothing with t-shirt, trousers or shorts, and sneakers. However, we suggest bringing a light jacket or a k-way in case of passing rain. Optionally, to protect yourself from the sun, you can bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen.
- October: Variable weather and temperatures, we recommend winter clothing in layers and sneakers.
- November to March: We recommend winter clothing with a jacket, long trousers, winter hat, and waterproof or hiking shoes (available on request).
Alcantara Gorges:
- Summer time: We recommend bringing a towel, swimming suit and beach slippers. To walk inside the Alcantara river, we recommend that you bring water shoes, depending on personal preference it is also possible to walk barefoot inside the river. It’s up to you whether or not you’d like to bathe or walk in the Alcantara river; if you wish, you are free to dive and cool off in the chilly river water of the Alcantara.
- Difficulty: easy
- Length: approx. 3km
- Maximum altitude: 1780m a.s.l.
- Altitude difference: approx. 100m
Year-round
- Pick up available
- Free upon request (within 30 km of Linguaglossa)
Upon request
What's included in the Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion
- Tour by SUV or minivan
- Off-road to the 2002 lava front, through the Ragabo pine forest
- Trekking on the Sartorius Craters on the north-eastern slope of Etna, UNESCO heritage craters
- Exploration of "Grotta dei Ladroni", a lava flow cave
- Lunch included in the price (first course, drink and coffee)
- Visit to the Alcantara Gorges
Included
- Transportation
- Guide
- Insurance
- Lunch
- Alcantara Gorges Botanical Park ticket + elevator
- Helmet and flashlight
- Hiking poles (upon request)
- Water bottle
Excluded
- Trekking shoes (€ 5.00/pair)
- Anything not described in included
€ 80.00 per person
€ 60.00 children 3-10 years old
Free for children under 3 years old
- 100% satisfaction guaranteed
- 4.9/5 stars based on over 2,000 reviews on GetYourGuide, TripAdvisor, and Google
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