Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Volcanoes
Mount Etna
There are a number of tours and treks you can do around Etna. Two treks leave from Piano
Provenzano (
Click here
), on the mountain's northern slopes: to Pizzi Deneri and the Vol-
canic Observatory at 2800m (a two-hour trip), or up to the main crater at 3200m (three
hours). Both offer spectacular views of the Peloritani, Nebrodi and Madonie mountain
ranges and the Valle del Bove. Further down, there's lovely walking in the pine, birch and
larch trees of the Pineta Ragabo, a vast wood accessible from the Mareneve road between
Linguaglossa and Milo.
The ascent of the southern slopes begins at Rifugio Sapienza (
Click here
; 1923m), from
where you can take the Funivia dell'Etna (
Click here
)
and walk the 2km up to the four
craters: Bocca di Nord-Est (northeast crater), Voragine, Bocca Nuova and Cratere Sud-Est
(southeast crater).
You can ski (
Click here
)
on Etna (both downhill and cross-country) between December
and March. The Mufara (northern slopes) skiing complex goes to heights of 1840m and
serves 3.5km of runs, while the Mufaretta (southwest slopes) reaches 1680m, with a run of
about 500m. Always check the latest volcanic activity and the state of the slopes and how
many lifts are working at
www.etnasci.it
.
Tough bikers can also cycle around the mountain - check out Etna Touring (
Click here
)
for details.
Stromboli
With Stromboli's constant spray of liquid magma, trekking up to its crater is always a ma-
gical experience - especially since the walk takes place at dusk. The demanding trek (up to
three hours up, and one-and-a-half hours back) takes you up in time for sunset, and you get
to observe the crater's fireworks for about 45 minutes against the night sky. Crater explo-
sions take place around every 20 minutes or so and are great fun to watch.
Those less keen on the climb can observe the crater from L'Osservatorio (
Click here
)
, a
viewpoint that has a restaurant on the side, for dinner with a view - with a difference.
