Group hike on Mount Etna with a view of the summit craters and autumn woods

Certified volcanological guides · Etna North · Catania

Choose the right Mount Etna hike for you.

From scenic hikes to the more demanding treks up to the Summit Craters: we help you choose the route that best fits your time, fitness level, the weather and the volcano's real conditions.

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Certified, licensed guides Reply within 24 hours Routes assessed on weather and Etna's conditions

5.0 average experience rating

1350+ participants guided on our hikes

North departures from Piano Provenzana and routes on the north side

100% certified, licensed volcanological guides

The experiences

Which Mount Etna hike is right for you?

Compare the most popular tours by duration, difficulty and type of experience. If you have any doubts, we'll help you choose before you book.

Featured

Etna 3400 · Most sought-after tour

Summit Craters Trek

The most iconic Etna trek, up to the summit area of the largest volcano in Europe. You set off from Piano Provenzana with a 4x4 transfer up to 2,920 m, then climb on foot with an alpine and volcanological guide to the rim of the Bocca Nuova (3,250 m) and the North-East Crater, at almost 3,400 m. At the top, a 360° panorama over the Aeolian Islands, Taormina, Catania, Stromboli and the Valle del Bove.

Duration: 4/5 hours Distance: 7 km Elevation gain: +500 m Level: medium/hard Meeting point: Piano Provenzana, 8:00 AM

Easy

Etna North 3,000 m hike to the Volcanological Observatory with Guide Etna

By 4×4 up to 3,000 m

Etna North 3000 · Volcanological Observatory

Ride a 4×4 bus from Piano Provenzana up to Piano delle Concazze and the Pizzi Deneri Volcanological Observatory (around 3,000 m). You cross the 2002 eruption site among cones and lava flows, in a lunar landscape, up to where you can admire the summit craters from a safe distance. On clear days the view reaches the Aeolian Islands, Taormina, Catania and Stromboli.

Duration: about 2 hours Altitude: 3,000 m Level: touristic (kids 3+) Meeting point: Piano Provenzana · 09:30 / 10:30 / 12:00

Etna South

Guided trek to Mount Etna's craters on the south side

Cable car + trek

Etna 3000 South · Craters trek

From Rifugio Sapienza take the cable car up to 2,500 m, then a guided trek among the Escrivà Crater, the Barbagallo Craters and the 2002 cones up to 2,920 m, with views over the Valle del Bove. Recent craters and volcanological insights all along the route.

Duration: about 5 hours Altitude: 2,920 m Level: medium Meeting point: Rifugio Sapienza (Etna South)

Inside the volcanic landscape

Craters, lava flows and panoramas: choose your way to experience Etna.

Craters, lava flows, fumaroles and sea views change at every altitude. With a volcanological guide you understand what you're seeing and choose the right route to experience it safely.

High altitude

Summit Craters with a licensed guide

Etna South

2002 cones and summit craters

First experience

Scenic tours to discover Etna

Safety on the volcano

Etna changes every day. A guide helps you choose well.

Weather, volcanic activity, official orders and the group's level can all change the plan. That's why every hike is assessed before departure.

Conditions checked before the tour

Before confirming the hike we check the weather, visibility, trail conditions and any guidance related to volcanic activity.

A clear fitness level before you book

Every tour states its duration and difficulty: easy for Etna North 3000 by 4×4, medium for Etna 3000 South, medium/hard for the Summit Craters, which climb to almost 3,400 m.

Direct advice if you're unsure

If you don't know which hike to choose, send us the date, participants and your group's level: we'll reply with the route that fits you best.

Certified guides and small groups

Guide Etna works with certified volcanological guides, a focus on safety and an organisation designed to experience the volcano without improvising.

Real-time Etna monitoring

Why book with Guide Etna

Not just a day trip: a guided hike on Mount Etna.

Choosing a volcanological guide means having a suitable route, explanations about the area and the right decisions if conditions change.

Generic tour

Guide Etna

Often the same programme for everyone, even with different fitness levels.

Recommends the route best suited to your level, the date and Etna's conditions.

Little information on difficulty, real duration and trail conditions.

States duration, difficulty and price before you enquire.

Focus on the view, less on safety and reading the volcano.

Assesses weather, official orders and volcanic activity before departure.

Little help if you don't know which experience to choose.

Supports you with certified guides and clear, practical information.

5.0

★★★★★

Google reviews from travellers who chose Guide Etna for hikes, treks and guided tours on Mount Etna.

Excerpts from travellers' public reviews.

★★★★★

Un'esperienza fantastica! Unica! La nostra guida Luca Cosma è stato eccezionale: conoscenza, passione e capacità di gestire un gruppo con esperienza di trekking eterogenea.

Silvia Parodo Google Reviews · a year ago

★★★★★

È stata veramente un'esperienza meravigliosa. Tutta l'organizzazione è stata perfetta, la guida molto precisa nelle spiegazioni. Per noi è stata un'esperienza che vale la pena fare assolutamente.

Daniela Ioana Finna Google Reviews · 8 months ago

★★★★★

From start to finish we had a great experience. Arturo explained so many details about Etna and the craters, always checked on us and answered every question in detail.

Hannes Biegholdt Google Reviews · 2 months ago

★★★★★

Un'esperienza emozionante come poche, un must to see dell'intera Sicilia. Guide attente e preparate. Bellissima esperienza, stancante ma capace di arricchire davvero.

Viaggiario, YouTuber Gabriele Google Reviews · a year ago

★★★★★

Il tour guidato è stato organizzato in modo impeccabile. Arturo ci ha accompagnati con grande competenza e passione, raccontandoci curiosità affascinanti sull'Etna.

Jacopo Retis Google Reviews · 10 months ago

★★★★★

Escursione effettuata con un ritmo adatto al gruppo e alla giornata, considerando condizioni meteorologiche e attività vulcanica. Luca attento, preparato e chiarissimo.

Elena Gentile Google Reviews · a year ago

★★★★★

Bellissima esperienza da provare senza dubbio. La preparazione e l'attenzione verso i partecipanti da parte della guida Arturo è qualcosa di eccezionale.

Armando Beghi Google Reviews · 10 months ago

★★★★★

Incredible experience. The elevation will test you to your core, but pushing through to the top is well worth it. Luka was knowledgeable and safe leading the way.

Colin Drysdale Google Reviews · 11 months ago

★★★★★

Esperienza unica. Paesaggi e vista incantevoli, discesa adrenalinica tra ceneri e lapilli. Arturo spiega l'Etna in modo preciso e trasmette il suo amore per il vulcano.

Francesca Rovelli Google Reviews · 10 months ago

★★★★★

Esperienza stupenda da fare almeno una volta nella vita. Luca ci ha guidati fino a 2900 metri con piccole pause, spiegazioni e premura per tutti.

Noemi Nanna Google Reviews · a year ago

★★★★★

We had a great time with Marco on the Etna Summit Craters Tour. Entertaining, knowledgeable, great at explaining and clearly very passionate about Etna.

Ally Sztrimbely Google Reviews · 6 months ago

★★★★★

Ho fatto una piacevolissima escursione con la mia famiglia. Arturo è riuscito a coinvolgerci nelle spiegazioni tecniche, incoraggiarci e farci divertire lungo il percorso.

Daniela F Google Reviews · 9 months ago

Availability request

Find the Mount Etna hike that fits you best.

Tell us the date, number of participants and your group's level. We'll reply with the recommended tour, availability and practical information so you set off prepared.

Phone +39 338 881 8220

Email guidetna@etnahiker.it

Base Fiumefreddo di Sicilia - Etna North

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Frequently asked questions

Before you book your Mount Etna hike.

The essential answers to choose the right tour, understand the level required and know what happens if conditions change.

If you're after an easy tour, Etna North 3000 by 4×4 up to the Volcanological Observatory is the best choice, suitable for families too. If you'd rather climb on foot starting from the cable car, the Etna 3000 South trek is a good middle ground. The Summit Craters trek, on the other hand, requires good physical condition.

Safety comes before the schedule. In case of bad weather, incompatible volcanic activity or restrictive orders, the tour may be changed, postponed or cancelled according to the booking conditions.

Because Etna is an active volcano. A volcanological guide knows the routes, the conditions, the geological history and the operational limits, and can adapt the hike to the real situation.

We recommend trekking shoes, layered clothing and a waterproof/windproof jacket. At the Piano Provenzana meeting point, boots, jackets and poles are available and included. Bring water (at least 1.5 l), snacks, sunglasses and sunscreen for the high altitude.

The hike reaches almost 3,400 m, where oxygen is reduced: it is not recommended for those with heart or respiratory problems, recent surgery or difficulty acclimatising to altitude. If in doubt, consult your doctor before taking part. For those who are not fit we recommend Etna North 3000 by 4×4.

Yes. Fill in the form with the date, number of participants, fitness level and the type of experience you'd like. We'll help you choose between Etna North 3000, Summit Craters, Etna 3000 South or a private tour.