Description

The Summit Craters excursion will allow you to reach the summit area of ​​Etna at 3320 meters above sea level and reach the top of the volcano, provided that there are safety conditions. It is a demanding trekking excursion both for the type of terrain in which you move but above all for the relatively high altitude and consequent reduction of the volume of oxygen in the air. So if you are not perfectly fit, this excursion is not recommended. The ascent is currently carried out on the south side, with the help of the Etna cableway starting from the Sapienza Refuge at an altitude of 1900 meters where we will meet the alpine / volcanological guide (mandatory for this type of excursion). From there you can comfortably climb up to 2500 meters. From the arrival station of the gondola lift, continue with the special 4×4 Unimog vehicles to Torre del Filosofo at an altitude of 2900 meters. From here begins the ascension on foot of 400 meters in altitude towards the summit craters crossing the recent lava fields that have submerged the homonymous building dedicated to the philosopher Empedocles who, according to legend, died swallowed up by the volcano in the fifth century BC.
The effort of the climb of about 1 hour and 45 minutes will be rewarded by the vision of the summit craters from the edge of the Bocca Nuova or the Voragine (2 of the 4 craters existing today), where it will be possible to breathe the persistent emission of vapors and gases, touch volcanic bombs and fumaroles with the colorful concretions of minerals that form and change appearance daily and sometimes admire the eruptive activity from one of the mouths with small explosions. In addition to this show, it will be possible to fill your eyes with the view of the landscape towards half Sicily.

Note: EXCURSION AT THE MOMENT NOT ACTIVE.

Since 2013, the use of the Etna volcano has been subject to a regulation for the use of civil protection. The summit craters are unfortunately currently closed to the public, also accompanied by authorized guides, for safety reasons related to volcanic activity (PC Ordinance of the municipality of Nicolosi n.16 of 10.9.2019). The maximum altitude that can be reached is 2900 meters. Our tours to the top craters are currently suspended because the violation of these provisions is a criminal offense and the insurance coverage would lapse. Check through the updated conditions thanks to our information service Volcanic monitoring and tourist fruition.
For those wishing to climb as high as possible in compliance with the provisions in force, we recommend the Etna 3000 tours (more touristic) and the High Altitude trek (for discreet walkers).