Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP TIPS
Time your visit
The best time for walking is between April and May, and September and October. It gets very
busy, and very hot, in high summer.
Bring the right kit
Even when it's boiling hot at lower altitudes, it's windy up top and temperatures can fall be-
low freezing. You'll need proper walking boots/shoes, a wind jacket, warm headgear and gloves. If you don't
have your own, you can hire a kit at Rifugio Sapienza. In summer pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat, and make
sure you have enough bottled water. If you usually wear contact lenses, bring glasses as there's usually a lot of
dust swirling around.
Get a decent map
The best is Selca's 1:25,000
Mt Etna
, otherwise pick up the free
Mt Etna and Mother Nature
map from tourist offices.
Bring a mobile phone and a compass
If walking independently, a mobile phone is an excellent safety precau-
tion, though it may not work in certain locations. Also take a compass as fog is not uncommon.
Cash or credit card?
The
funivia
(cable car) ticket office accepts both.
Sights & Activities
Guided Tours
There are many operators offering guided tours up to the craters and elsewhere on the
mountain, and even if your natural inclination is to avoid them, they are well worth con-
sidering. The guides know the mountain inside out, and are able to direct you to the most
spectacular points, as well as explain what you're looking at. They also offer a valuable
safety precaution. Tours typically involve some walking and 4WD transport.
also offers snow-shoe excursions and canoeing on the Alcantara river,
Etna Experience
(
095 723 29 24;
www.etnaexperience.com
)
,
Etna Sicily Touring
( 392 509 02 98;
www.etnasicilytouring.com
)
,
Sud
( 095 791 47 55;
www.etnaguide.com
)
.
Prices vary depending on the tour you take but you should bank on from €45 per person
for a half-day tour (usually morning or sunset) and about €65 for a full day.
GUIDED TOUR
Rifugio Sapienza
Whether driving yourself or coming by public transport, the starting point for the southern
ascent is Rifugio Sapienza (1923m), a small cluster of souvenir shops and bars based
around a mountain refuge. From here there are various options for getting up to the crater
area.
VILLAGE
