Etna south by cable car and trek up to 3000m. to Barbagallo Crater

the trekking itinerary

We will meet at the Piazzale del Rifugio Sapienza (Nicolosi – Etna Sud) at 8:30 am. After a briefing and the purchase of cable car tickets, we will begin our adventure. We will use the Etna Cable Car to reach an altitude of 2,500 meters. From here we will begin our journey on foot. We will pass through lunar landscapes, observing up close the lava flows of the most recent eruptions, such as the one of May 21, 2023. We visit the 2001 Laghetto crater en face the Bove Valley and then reach an altitude of 3000m. We visit the majestic Barbagallo Crater at 3000m altitude and admire spectacular views of the Central Crater and Southeast Crater. On the return trip, the guide will take us inside a lava channel, giving us the opportunity to better understand the dynamics of eruptions and the formation of these natural structures. We will continue our descent through fun sands to the upper station of the cable car, which will take us back to our starting point.

Details Etna south with cable car and trekking up to 3000m.

The hike starts from the Piazzale di Rifugio Sapienza. Departure is scheduled for the morning at 8:45 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. (upon request). The meeting is at least 20 minutes before departure, so you can check your equipment, receive the guide’s explanation and to have time to go to the bathroom. The hike takes about 5/6 hours in total, between the trek and the guide’s explanation during the hike. For this hike, the pleasure of walking and the desire to explore is required. We have about 500m elevation gain on the way up and about 500m elevation gain on the way down. The trail is suitable for walkers. You need a good condition for trekking given the duration and altitude in which we walk.

• Starting point: Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza
• Total duration: 5/6 hours
• Meeting time: 08.40 or 10.10 hours
• Departure time: 09.00 or 10.30 hours
• Height difference: About 500m
• Distance: 11 km
• Difficulty: For walkers
• Return time: 2:30 or 4:00 p.m.
• Duration walking trek: About 5/6 hours
• Cable car duration: 12+12 minutes

Price and availability excursion

The Etna south excursion with cable car and trek up to 3000m. costs € 50.00 per person. The price includes the accompanying guide. Children from 10 to 12 years old pay € 45.00 per person. This price excludes the price of the cable car round trip which you must pay on the spot at the ticket office.

• Adults: €50.00 per person
• Children 10-12 years old: €45.00 per person

For customized tour is private, price is on request. For groups (10+ people) and/or school groups, the price is upon request.

Payment

We work on the basis of trust. This means that we do not ask for any advance payment. You can pay the same day directly to the guide. It is possible to pay by cash, ATM or credit card.

Availability

The hike is available year-round, from January to December, but only by reservation. If snow is present, the hike is done with snowshoes (with an extra charge for equipment rental).

Including and excluding

Clothing, shoes & what to bring

For a good hiking trip, proper preparation is essential. We always recommend dressing in layers. How many and what layers depend on the season. But the higher you climb Mount Etna volcano, the colder it gets. In addition, wind can often make the weather seem even colder. A windbreaker and a hat are therefore not a luxury. It is possible to rent hiking shoes and a jacket by contacting the rental stores at Rifugio Sapienza. We recommend bringing a backpack with at least 1.5 L of water per person. It is also recommended to bring some sweet and/or salty snacks and a sack lunch. In total, the hike takes about 5/6 hours, so always bring something extra to eat! Also don’t forget sunscreen and sunglasses! In brief:

With the reservation we send you our packing list, with the things we recommend you to bring!

FAQ