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3,600+
Stazione Catania Centrale
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Summit craters excursion Etna South
Travel from Catania to Etna South, ride the cable car and hike with a guide toward the highest permitted altitude.
3,600+reviews from our travellers ↗︎
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Good to know.
- Duration
- 7 hours
- Departure times
Departure 08:30 · return around 16:00
PickupFree hotel pickup in CataniaOn request, within Catania city only · or meet at the station
See the meeting points
Activity levelModerate · about 6 km / 3 h walking · 300 m elevation gain
- Maximum altitude
About 2,800 m, subject to the permitted route. Summit-crater access is not guaranteed.
AvailabilityYear-round, weather permitting.
Participation requirementsAge 8+ and good fitness. Health restrictions apply; see “Before you book”.
OptionsFixed itinerary; not customisable.
Minimum participants4
Spoken languagesConfirm the guiding language when booking.
About this experience
Travel from Catania to Etna’s southern slope, ride the cable car and continue on foot through lava landscapes with a mountain guide. The route offers views of Valle del Bove and reaches only the altitude permitted by conditions and current access rules.
PICTURE YOUR DAY
Your experience, step by step.
The highlights at a glance. Find the full programme and practical details on this page.
Catania to Rifugio Sapienza
Travel to Etna South at about 1,900 m, with a short bar stop before the ascent.
Cable car to 2,500 m
The Etna cable car takes you to the starting point of the guided hike.
Lava landscapes & Valle del Bove
Walk among old craters and volcanic terrain to the permitted viewpoint, with your guide explaining Etna’s geology.
Descent & return to Catania
Walk back to the cable car, descend to Rifugio Sapienza and return to Catania.
Not sure this is the right tour for you?
Tell our local team your dates, group and any specific needs before you book.
WhatsAppYOUR DAY, IN DETAIL
Everything you need to know.
01Complete programme
This excursion starts around 08:30 from Catania, one of our guides will pick you up at your hotel or at the Catania central train station. We will then set off to reach Rifugio Sapienza, at an altitude of about 1900m on the Etna South slope. When we arrive at the mountain refuge, there will be time for a short stop at the bar, after which we will give you trekking poles and we will be ready to start our adventure!
We will board the famous Etna Cable Car that will take us up to an altitude of 2500 meters, this will be the starting point of an exciting hike of about 6km, which will last about 3 hours. During the excursion you will be accompanied by an experienced guide who will reveal the secrets, history and geology of the majestic Mount Etna. You will see breathtaking landscapes, surrounded by a lava desert among ancient craters. Arriving at the highest point of the trek, at about 2800 meters above sea level, you will be amazed by the wonderful panoramic view of Valle del Bove, one of the most striking corners of Etna.
We will then set off on the return trek, reaching the Etna Cable Car station again, to return to Rifugio Sapienza. After a few minutes of rest, we will leave from Rifugio Sapienza to take you back to the hotel, around 16:00.
02Before you book
The hike requires good physical fitness. People with cardiovascular or respiratory conditions or hypertension cannot take part. The guide follows the altitude limit permitted by current ordinances; reaching the summit craters is not guaranteed. Children under 8 cannot join this route; consider the Etna and Alcantara Gorges excursion instead.
MEETING POINTS
Where we meet you.
Meet at the station or request free hotel pick-up within Catania city only.
Your booking confirmation specifies the agreed meeting point and time.
PACK FOR YOUR EXPERIENCE
What to wear & bring.
Comfortable closed shoes
Stable soles for walking on uneven ground.
Dress in layers
A T-shirt and a warm layer for changing temperatures.
Windproof jacket
Bring a warm layer, even in summer.
Sun protection
Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat.
Snacks & packed lunch
Bring your own food for the hike.
Wear layers suited to the season. In winter bring a warm jacket, long trousers, hat and waterproof or hiking shoes. Shoe rental costs €5.
More preparation advice
- April to May:
Variable weather and temperatures, we recommend winter clothing with layers 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).
Bring a packed lunch, or buy it at Rifugio Sapienza before taking the cable car.
ALL CLEAR, BEFORE YOU BOOK
What’s included.
Included in the price
Transportation- Guide
Insurance
Etna Cable Car Ticket- Hiking poles
Not included
- Trekking shoes (€ 5.00/pair)
- Packed lunch
- Anything not described in included
BEFORE YOU BOOK
Booking & cancellation.
Cancellation terms are confirmed with your booking
If bad weather causes cancellation before the cable-car ride, no charge applies. If you have already taken the cable car, 30% of the tour price is payable.
Bad weather
- If we have to cancel the tour (weather alert, force majeure or an order of the authorities), you choose between a new date and a full refund of what you paid.
- The guide may change the route on the day, according to weather and safety conditions.
Change of plans? Let us know as soon as you can.
Terms and conditions
TRAVEL COMPANIONS
Our travel companions
Over 100,000 travellers in 15 years: real people, real days out in Sicily. Thank you for exploring the island with us!
100,000+ travellers3,600+ reviews
REAL PEOPLE. REAL SICILY.
Sicily, through their eyes.
Reviews of Dream Island across our excursions. Browse all 304 traveller stories in our collection.
3,600+reviews from our travellers
ZbigniewPolonia
★★★★★Super polecam, bardzo atwa trasa, pikne widoki,
RemiFrancia
★★★★★RebeccaGermania
★★★★★Eine wunderschöne Tour, wir haben es sehr genossen. An der Alcantara Schlucht auf jeden Fall den Orangenpfad laufen!
Viaggiatore di GetYourGuidePolonia
★★★★★byo super! Wwozy to co niesamowitego. :-)
VivianaArgentina
★★★★★Lo mejor de lo mejor. Desde q nos buscaron el viaje las paradas la comida el guía . Excelente nos hicieron sentir como en casa . Gracias Egidio
karenRegno Unito
★★★★★Fantastic trip made better by the guide giuliana . Very informative and enthusiastic.
melanieFrancia
★★★★★Très bien. Randonnée facile, aucune difficulté
KlaudiaGermania
★★★★★Bisschen wandern, schönen Ansichten, gut geführt. Tolle Mädels, die das ganze Tour geführt haben. Danke Guilia und Jaqueline. Till next time !
SylwiaPolonia
★★★★★IzabelaPolonia
★★★★★StéphanieFrancia
★★★★★Super journée grâce à notre charmant guide Vincenzo très professionnel, très sympathique et…. très beau !!!
GULISANOBelgio
★★★★★Swipe, scroll or use the arrows to explore every review.
YOUR NEXT SICILIAN ADVENTURE
Let’s plan your excursion.
Summit craters excursion Etna South
From€129per person
Contact our team to confirm departure dates and arrange your experience.
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