Excursion to the top of Etna |For good walkers (transport services not included)

Recommended by 96% of travelers

Sicily, Italy

5 hours 30 minutes (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore the largest active volcano in Europe far from the group tours with this high-altitude hike to the edge of Mt. Etna’s crater. Ascend to the trailhead via cable car, then hike 3 miles (4.5 km) up the summit cone past fumaroles and lava fields. Follow your guide along paths created by volcanic bombs and slag to the Central Crater, then hike back down over ash and volcanic scoria.

A challenging hike up to Mount Etna’s volcanic crater for active travelers
Ascend with a guide for insights about the area’s geothermal activity
Helmets and hiking poles provided for a safe hike along rough terrain
Views of the sea from the highest points on the summit cone

What's Included

Licensed Volcano Guide
Insurance in case of accidents
Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack
Entry/Admission to Mount Etna

Lunch bag
€ 52 per person for the cablecar service (round trip) from 1900 meters to 2500 meters
Transport service from your accommodation
Hat and gloves (during autumn, winter and spring)
Parking (€5 for the entire day on weekdays and €8 on Sundays and public holidays.)

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

Esagonal
Piazzale Funivia Etna, Sud, 95030 Nicolosi CT, Italy
The appointment is at 8:30 AM at parking in front of the Esagonal Bar. We will be waiting for you at the parking lot with a yellow van.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.8:30 am

Itinerary

Mount Etna

5 hours • Admission Ticket Included

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Not recommended for travelers with back problems
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
Travelers should have a strong physical fitness level
This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular diseases (breathing ones, or hypertension)
The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.

The excursion will be carried out according to the limits laid down by the ordinance in force.
For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guide know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problems and to avoid any risks.
The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
The trekking requires a discrete preparation on a physical level. Being a path that develops at high altitude, it will be easy to accuse symptoms of fatigue. It is required attention, since it is a volcanic active area, subjected to constant gaseous exhalations and composed by a soil constituted by inconsistent and unstable rocks.
Without adequate shoes you are not covered by insurance.
Pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed to take part to any excursion activity.
Because of the continuous and unpredictable evolution of the volcanic activity, the excursions could undergo variations, or, in extreme cases, be cancelled, at the discretion of the guide for safety reasons.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Featured review

Andrea_B

This excursion up on the top- North side was one incredible experience. We originally booked the hike on the south side but due to the volcanic activity all the guided hikes are taking place on the north side. Our guide Domenico was great, very knowledgeable, engaging with the entire group. Well organized, the guide showed up on time and provided all the necessary equipment ( hiking boots, hiking poles and helmets). He was fluent in 3 different languages and made sure all his explanations were said in all languages. I’d give our guide 11 stars out of 10!

Reviews

4.8

based on 100 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

One in a lifetime experience

Andrea_B, Jul 2022

Stunning Views, great guide, fun hike

BRANDON_W, Jul 2022

The views are incredible. Our guide was awesome. The hike down is not for the faint of heart, very steep hike over harsh terrain, but a bus is available to drive you down from the observatory.

Response from Host, Jul 2022

Thank you!!

Mt. Etna

Cem_A, Jun 2022

Great hike with a great, knowledgeble guide who not only led us around craters, but gave us a rich geology and history lesson on Sicily. Viator is well organized and professional. Our rental car broke down and we missed our scheduled hike. Viator was flexible enough to rebook us on another date. I will definately reach out to them again on our next trip!

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Thank you very much! very happy you enjoyed the hike that much!

Beautiful Day on Etna

Alison_M, Sep 2021

"Skiing down the lava ash and the explanations by the guide (Domenico). Exploring the "forno" created by a past eruption

Sehr gute Tour mit einem...

Rdiger_K, Apr 2022

Sehr gute Tour mit einem exzellenten Guide. Über Lavafelder und durch eine Lavaspur gewandert. Sehr gute und viele Erklärungen und Infos. Toller Vormittag

Response from Host, Apr 2022

Vielen dank fur ihr netten Worte! Wir hoffen bis nachsten mal.

Tolle Tour auf den Ätna!

Laura_Z, Sep 2021

Die Tour war wirklich toll! Wir sind um 8:00 Uhr gestartet und haben noch den Sonnenaufgang über den Wolken gesehen! Vincenzo war sehr nett und hat viel erklärt. Die Tour hatte eine gute Länge, sie ging sogar etwas länger als die geplanten 4,5h. Wir konnten aufgrund der hohen Aktivität des Ätna nicht bis zum höchsten Krater, jedoch sei das auch nicht so oft möglich, das letzte Mal wäre eine Gruppe 2020 im Oktober dort gewesen. Trotzdem konnte man auf der Nordseite von 2800 Höhenmetern aus einen tollen Blick auf den Krater werfen, er hat etwas geraucht. der Blick ins Tal war atemberaubend! Sogar den Stromboli konnte man in der Ferne erkennen. Mit den Jeeps war die Tour sehr angenehm, man hat einige Höhenmeter geschafft - ohne Auto wäre das wohl kaum an einem Tag möglich. Danach sind wir ca. 6 km gewandert und haben uns alle kleinen Krater angeschaut, auch einen von innen, dafür haben wir Helme bekommen. Alles in allem sehr zu empfehlen und ein kleines Abenteuer! Ohne Guide hätte die Besichtigung keinen Sinn gemacht, wir hatten dies zuerst überlegt aber so konnte man sicher und entspannt alles anschauen und hat dabei eine Menge gelernt!

Likely to Sell Out