Monti Sartorius: the 7 craters known as the 'buttonhole'

Official volcanological guide Sicily

info@etnalava.it
+39 333 934 5863

The 7 aligned craters of Etna Nord

Monti Sartorius: the 7 craters known as the ‘buttonhole’

The Sartorius Mountains are a group of craters formed during the 1865 eruption, located on the northeastern slope of Etna. The special feature of this locality is the 7 aligned craters, also known as the ‘buttonhole.’ These craters tell a thousand-year history of fire and transformation, framed by breathtaking views.

The trail to the Monti Sartorius is suitable for everyone, including families with children or school groups. The terrain is not suitable for strollers. Small children are best carried in a special hiking backpack or possibly in a baby carrier.

It is a loop trail about 3.5 km long, with an elevation gain of only 100 meters, if you want to visit all 7 cones. But you can also choose to visit only some of these craters. As you walk, you will pass through a beautiful birch forest, a rare species that grows only on Etna, and admire large volcanic rocks formed by ancient eruptions.

During the walk, you will enjoy spectacular views of the Ionian Sea, the Peloritani Mountains and the peaks of Mount Etna. It is an even more magical experience at sunset, when the light makes the landscape even more striking.

5 Interesting facts about the Monti Sartorius that you might not know:

The Monti Sartorius are named after Wolfgang Sartorius von Waltershausen, a 19th-century German geologist who studied Etna and its eruptions in detail.
The craters were formed during a spectacular eruption in 1865, known for generating a series of aligned craters called “buttonholes.”
The Sartorius Mountains’ buttonhole consists of seven aligned craters, a rare phenomenon that occurs only when lava finds its way out along a fissure in the Earth’s crust.
Around the Sartorius Mountains grows the Etna birch (Betula aetnensis), a species found only on this volcano.
From the Monti Sartorius there is a unique view that simultaneously embraces the Ionian Sea, the peaks of Mount Etna, and the Peloritani Mountains.

Discovering the Monti Sartorius

The Sartorius Mountains are unique and worth visiting in every season. In autumn, there is a unique combination of nature’s autumn colors and the heaviness of lava. In winter, the contrast between black lava, winter nature and white snow. Finally, in summer, you can enjoy a perfect location in the shade of greenery and a cool breeze with unique views of the sea and the Etna landscape. With Etna Lava, we offer 2 excursions to discover this magnificent natural phenomenon:

How to get to the Monti Sartorius

The starting point is located near the Citelli Refuge, along the Mareneve road, easily accessible by car. From there, the adventure begins in a place that will make you feel in touch with nature and the history of the volcano