Etna Lava Tubes Project was born with the aim of spreading knowledge of little-known or unpublished Etna caves. Natural phenomena among the most fascinating of our volcano. Many texts report that on Etna there are at least 260 known caves. In reality the formation of lava tubes is very common and the number of caves is destined to increase considerably. Below we report a census of little-known caves - for which information is not available elsewhere - or unpublished discovered by our team in particular by the founders of EtnaExcursion.it Dario & Paolo Teri. During an exploratory campaign that began "for fun" in 2018 and still (April 2023), about 70 have been found, not considered in the general count indicated above. Here we report only those considered most interesting from a naturalistic point of view. For the caves already surveyed we recommend a visit to EtnaNatura.it and Mungibeddu.it
Exploration: Not easily accessible, can be visited with only lights and helmet.
Taken over by Dario and Paolo Teri (on 27.4.2021)
Notified to the relevant municipality on \\
The Grotta dei Penitenti is another classic example of a lava flow cave on Etna on the lavas of 1892, the same that originated the Silvestri Craters. This cavity is divided into 2 parts: the uppermost part is the point where the channel was formed, more easily accessible and can be walked on foot for about 10 meters. The longest part, of which a part has been walked, is instead a very low and narrow tunnel, but still explorable by walking on all fours, almost on your knees. Due to its difficult morphology that requires a rather uncomfortable movement, it has been given the name Grotta dei Penitenti. The bottom is made up of AA type lava. Nearby there are other similar caves detected and inserted on the Open Street Maps by the same authors, among which we point out the Grotta della Volpe, included in the census and the Grotta Garbage, a small cavity in which unfortunately there are several bags and plastics, transported by the wind, from the Rifugio Sapenza.
Dario Teri 27 April 2021 Unseen & Little-Known Etna Caves No Responses
Do you want to visit the caves of Etna?
We organize cave excursions with expert guides. You could also request a guided tour with those who discovered it! See
Speleological tour in volcanic caves.
Search your tour
How are volcanic caves formed?
Lava tubes are very common on Etna. They form during an eruption ...
Go to the article.
16th August 2023 – On August 14th there was a paroxysm (a “lightning” eruption) from the summit craters which has already ended. Everything falls within the normal Etna phenomena. There is no danger for the population and visitors. The excursions are taking place regularly. GO TO NEWS