Bus excursions to Etna from Catania. Etna - a self-guided trip to the volcano

Resting in Sicily, we decided to move around the island by car. We rented a car for this purpose. Of course, the first thing we did was go to the famous volcano - Etna. Looking at the steam that constantly rises from the mountain, we hoped to see a real fire-breathing crater.

From Rifugio Sapienza to the next stop - La Montagnola (altitude 2500 meters) there is a funicular. A round-trip ticket costs 27 euros. Climbing the funicular, you can either take a tour on specially equipped four-wheel drive SUV buses (about 50 euros), or walk around on your own.

Excursion to Etna

We took a tour, and our friends decided to walk to the crater on their own. Although at the craters I did not see people who came with their own feet. I would not dare to walk on hot ground without a guide, because if you dig just a meter, the temperature of the earth will reach 120 degrees Celsius. So I stepped back and...

It must be borne in mind that at a height (and the height of the volcano is 3,300 meters) it is quite cold, jackets are rented at the station. We were stupid and took only one. And of course, I had to give it to my daughter. And I was content with a denim jacket, which did not save at all. When the wind started to blow, I had the feeling that it reached the bones.

By the way, the volcano itself erupts only steam. So we did not see any fire-breathing craters. How did you not see beautiful views, which are rumored to open from the top. The reason for this bad luck was that we arrived late - around lunchtime. Etna must be visited in the morning.

Legends of Etna

Translated from the Phoenician "Etna" means "Mountain of Fire". During its existence, it erupted about 200 times. The last eruption was January 3-31, 2011. The locals are accustomed to eruptions. In addition, volcanic ash is an excellent fertilizer. Therefore, Sicily has long been a European granary.

According to Virgil, the Cyclopes lived in the caves of Etna. By the way, it was here that Odysseus met with them during his wanderings.

Unfortunately, we ignored the advice of the guides that it is better to visit Etna at dawn and arrived on the mountain in the lunch area. As a result, at the moment when we got to the top, it was already completely in the clouds and there were no photos with cool views.

Active Mount Etna– one of the main attractions of Sicily. To visit the island and not visit the famous volcano would be a big omission, because there are various ways to get to. The most convenient way to get from Catania– closest to the volcano big city, but if you wish, you can also get from other cities of Sicily.

Excursions to Mount Etna

If you don’t want to climb the volcano on your own, you can always book around Etna with a Russian-speaking guide, where you will learn about its unusual features, centuries-old influence on people and the environment, hear the myths and legends associated with it.

Book a guided tour in advance– the most interesting, but rather costly option.But its main advantage is that it makes it possible to climb where everyone else is not allowed.– to the crater of the volcano. You can also rent electric bikes to explore the area.

How to get to Etna from Catania

One of the most popular ways for tourists to get to Etna– drive along the southern slope to the base of Rifugio Sapienza, which is located at an altitude of 1900 meters. From Catania go there commuter buses. Every day at 8.15 the bus leaves the square Papa Giovanni XXII (against railway station Catania) and actually goes to the Rifugio Sapienza funicular station. The ticket can be bought from the driver, it costs 4 euros one way, 6 euros– round-trip, and the journey takes about two hours. The return bus leaves at 16.30– during this time you need to have time to see everything, otherwise you will have to spend the night at a tourist base.

Arriving at Rifugio Sapienza, you will need to take the funicular and climb to a height of 2500 meters– there is the base of La Montagnola. A ticket for a cable car trip will cost 27 euros. Climbing La Montagnola, you can walk or rent an SUV with a tour guide (about 30 euros) to climb to a height of 3000 meters– to the top of the volcano. The tour lasts 30 minutes but only English or Italian. In bad weather, the cable car does not work and you can only get to the top on foot (the journey takes about two hours).

How to get to Etna from Taormina

If you choose the route on the southern slope, you should go along the A18 motorway, at Giarre there will be a congress, then you have to follow the signs S. Venerina - Zafferana Etnea - Etna Sud .

To the north slope you need to go along the highway A 18 to Fiumefreddo , then go up to Piedimonte Etneo - Linguaglossa - Etna Nord to Piano Provenzana . Then you will need to climb on the cable car to a height of 2500 meters, and then on SUV buses to the mark of 3000 meters.

What to Avoid When Visiting Mount Etna

Some tourists order a taxi or rent a bicycle to get to Etna on their own. These options are the least successful: a taxi will be expensive, and you can only use it to get to Rifugio Sapienza. Riding a bike is not much more comfortable than walking– it will be difficult to go up, and going down is possible only along the road rolled by buses.

We wish you an unforgettable trip to Mount Etna!

Mount Etna is the very first attraction we saw in Sicily. And, perhaps, she is the brightest and most memorable, must-see in a word. As I said, we flew to Catania on a direct flight from Moscow. We immediately rented a car at the airport and went closer to the Etna volcano in the town of Nicolosi. We left a visit to Catania for the last time, after we have traveled around the entire island. There were several reasons for this, which I will discuss later. I decided to tell about the journey sequentially along the route. You can familiarize yourself with this in full.

Before climbing Mount Etna, we made a stop at Nicolosi . The town is located right at the foot of Mount Etna and is located on the territory natural park Etna . This is famous place among those heading for the volcano. We did not examine the town itself, we just drove along main street Via Etnea leading to the volcano. I regret a little that I was too lazy to go for a walk. However, the town left a pleasant impression: unhurried life, narrow streets, small coffee houses and shops.

In Nicolosi we spent the night at the hotel. The villa is located one kilometer from the center of Nicolosi and only 1.5 km from Etna Park. The distance from here to the base of Rifugio Sapienza, where the cable car to the volcano is located, is about 18 km (30 minutes by car). The most convenient way to get there is by car along Strada Provinciale 92 or via Via Catania. The hotel has 2 free parking lots, a restaurant and a pizzeria, a swimming pool with sun loungers and a well-kept garden.

Before climbing Mount Etna, I was looking for a hotel with a swimming pool to take a break from the road. First I found an amazing villa for a ridiculous price on Airbnb , but the owner tactfully refused to book. It discouraged and upset me, I really liked that option. Then I found this hotel in a villa on the good old for about the same price. And you know, I have no regrets. It's one and the best hotels where we stayed in Sicily. I will prepare a separate review about it.

How to get to Etna

Mount Etna is the highest active volcano in Europe. Etna is object world heritage UNESCO . It is located in the eastern part of the island of Sicily, 35 km from Catania. Etna is 3340 meters above sea level.

There are many ways to get to the volcano. Around Etna runs Circumetnea train . This is an original way to see the surroundings of the volcano, but it is not the most convenient for climbing. There are direct buses to Etna from Catania. This is a great option to get to the volcano on a budget. But in my opinion it is more convenient to get on your own by car or by taxi from Catania, the road takes no more than 1 hour.

Bus from Catania to Etna and back

Bus routes along the route Catania - Etna carries out company AST . One way ticket price is 4 euro, two-way ticket - 6.60 euros. Only 1 flight per day on the route Catania - Etna and one return flight from Etna to Catania.

Departure from Catania at 8:15 s Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII near the main railway station of Catania. Travel time 2 hours. Arrival at the base of Rifugio Sapienza at 10:15. The bus goes through Nicolosi and makes several stops there.

Return flight from bases of Rifugio Sapienza to Catania at 16:30. Arrival in Catania at 18:30. Flights to Etna operate every day on weekdays and weekends according to this schedule, except for holidays. O public holidays know in advance.

You can buy tickets at the company's office and in tobacco shops (tobacco kiosks selling drinks, cigarettes, newspapers). You cannot buy a ticket from the driver. There are many people who want to get to Etna, so come early to buy tickets. Tickets can only be purchased on the day of departure, they are not sold in advance or online. The company's office is located next to the bus stop in Piazza Papa Giovanni XXIII next to the main railway station.

Website bus company AST: www.aziendasicilianatrasporti.it

Self drive to Etna

Getting to the foot of Mount Etna by car is the most comfortable option in my opinion. First, you are not limited by time. You can go up and down at any time, no need to rush to the bus. Secondly, on the way to the volcano, you can enjoy the scenery and make stops along the way to take cool pictures or just breathe in the fresh mountain air. Thirdly, it is most convenient to travel with your family in Sicily by car. Warm jackets for climbing the volcano, a stroller and all the necessary things are always at hand.

To climb Mount Etna, you need to go either along the most popular southern route to Rifugio Sapienza, or northern route to Linguaglos. Read more about climbing routes in the next paragraph.

From Catania on the southern route to the base of Rifugio Sanienza you need to move towards Via Etnea and Via Tarderia/SP141 towards Via della Regione and Via Catania.

If you make a stop in Nicolosi, then you can continue the route to Etna along Strada Provinciale 92. It takes almost the same time as Via Catania, but there is less traffic.

From Catania on the Northern Route to Linguaglossa take the A18/E45 and Strada Regionale/Via Mareneve.

By train around Etna

You can ride around Etna on the historical Circumetnea train (Circumetnea). This route was launched already in 1898 and is still in operation. Circumetnea train - not only tourist entertainment, it is primarily intended for local residents living in the vicinity of Etna. The train makes almost a full circle, plying through the villages at the foot of Mount Etna.

The train leaves from the railway Borgo stations (Borgo) in Catania. The final station of the route is in the coastal town Riposto (Riposto). The length of the route is 111 km. Travel time is about 3 hours. The train makes many stops along the way.

Tickets for the Circumetnea train can be purchased at the box office at the railway station. A ticket from Catania to Riposto will cost 7.9 euros one way and 13 euro both ends. Buying one ticket, you can get off at any station and take the next train. In this way, you can see Etna in 360 degrees.

I talked to two traveling American uncles. We met in the port of Catania. They told us how they rode around Etna on the Circumetnea train and were delighted with the scenery and the trip in general.

Mount Etna climbing routes

There are many ways to climb the volcano. There are 3 tourist routes to Etna. You can climb on your own or buy group tour or hire a personal guide. Any of them promises a lot of impressions from scenic views to the mighty volcano.

Mount Etna climbing routes:

• southern route (Etna Sud)- the most popular way to the volcano. It starts from the base of Rifugio Sapienza (altitude 1900 m). The itinerary includes going up by funicular or on foot from the base of Rifugio Sapienza to the base of La Montagnola (2500 meters), then climbing by bus or on foot to a height of 2920 meters.
• Eastern route starts from the village of Zafferana Etnea and also leads to the base of Rifugio Sapienza.
• northern route (Etna Nord) passes through the small towns of Piedimonte Etneo and Linguaglossa and leads to the base of Piano Provenzano. There is no cable car here. But the northern slopes are more picturesque and green.

We have chosen the most convenient and popular southern route to climb Mount Etna. We got to the base of Rifugio Sapienza from Nicolosi by car along the Strada Provinciale 92 road. The main landmark from the road is the hotel, which is located next to the funicular. The hotel is popular among travelers at any time of the year. After all, the ski season opens on Etna in winter. The parking area has a cafe and many souvenir shops.

Near the Rifugio Sapienza station are the lowest and oldest Silvestri craters . Signs lead in the direction of these craters. So it is not necessary to climb higher on the funicular to see the craters. For some travelers, a short walk to them is enough. But I see no reason to go to Etna, so as not to make a real climb at least to a height of 3000 meters.

The most popular option for climbing the volcano is to take the funicular up to the base of La Montagnola (2500 meters) and take the bus to a height of 2920 meters. Ticket " funicular + bus + guided tour" costs 63 euro. The ticket already includes a guided tour. Tickets are sold at the box office of the funicular.

Separately Funicular from Rifugio Sapienza to La Montagnola worth it back and forth 30 euro. Then you can go on foot. Many people do just that. But halfway through, they already look tired and, in my opinion, openly envy those who ride the bus.

By the way, the ascent to Etna from the base of Rifugio Sapienza can be done completely on foot and free. However, consider your strength and time. If you are into sports and you want to conquer Etna, then put on comfortable shoes and go!

Official site cable car Etna: www.funiviaetna.com

Since we are traveling with a child, for us the funicular + bus option to the craters turned out to be ideal and as comfortable as possible.

First, we took the funicular up to the base of La Montagnola at a height of 2500 meters. Keep in mind that it is windy and colder here than below. If you are going to climb even higher to the craters, I advise you to take a warm jacket with a hood, comfortable boots or sneakers. Just in case there is warm clothes rental for a couple of euros.

Of course, we fell behind the group while packing Eve in an ergo backpack (we didn’t take a stroller with us). Therefore, I listened to the basic information. But on the other hand, we calmly and slowly enjoyed the black cosmic landscapes of solidified lava. By the way, you can join the next group and go down to the buses later at any time. Nobody is limited by time.

There is information on the forums that local guides offer a climb to the very top crater Bocca Nuova (Bocca Nuova) at an altitude of 3340 meters. The ticket costs 85 euro. It includes a funicular, a bus up to 2920 meters and a hike to the top of Bocca Nuova with a guide, clothing and necessary equipment. The group consists of 20-30 people.

It is a pity that I learned about the possibility of climbing to the highest crater later. I would like to see with my own eyes what is hidden from the crowds of tourists. But I'm not sure if we would be allowed with a one-year-old child?

The best photos at the top are obtained with good visibility. Although overhanging clouds and light fog, on the contrary, add special magic to the photo.

• The official height of Etna changes with each eruption.
• In the same way, with each eruption, they change hiking trails climbing the volcano.
• As a result of lateral eruptions, Etna formed over 400 craters .
• On average, once every three months, the volcano erupts lava.
• Silvestri Crater - one of the old extinct craters of the volcano Etna. It is located at an altitude of 1900 meters and can be reached by car.
• Etna in winter ski season . There is an Italian ski school on the Nordic route
• Products grown on the slopes of Etna have a unique taste. Lava the soil is rich in trace elements . Produced here honey, wine, nut butters
• Lava stone is used to make a variety of souvenirs for every taste. And you can grab small pieces of lava directly from the volcano, they didn’t take it from us at the airport.

Excursions to Mount Etna

If you are too lazy to organize a bus trip and bother with car rental, you can buy an excursion to Etna. Such excursions are sold at all popular resorts. The cost is different, depending on the distance to Etna and the tour program. Specify what exactly is included in the price of the tour and what you need to pay extra for(for the funicular, lunch and drinks for example).

Tours can be bought from private guides or booked online on tour sites from local residents - such as, or on Airbnb in the impression section. See what individual and group . Prices do not bite, please note that often the cost for the tour is indicated regardless of the number of people. It is especially beneficial if you are traveling in a small company of 4-6 people.

By the way, at first I wanted to do this: book volcano tour with Giuseppe on Airbnb . But then I thought that it would not be very comfortable with Eva, because I did not know how difficult the route would be. Although now having already visited, I understand that it would be interesting to get such an experience of an excursion with a local guide. The price is not expensive, but what a thrill to communicate with a real Sicilian.

In general, it took us about 3.5 hours to climb Etna. This is not counting the road by car to the base of Rifugio Sapienza. It took about 1 hour to climb to a height of 2920 meters (funicular + bus). We spent about 1.5 hours at the top. And the descent through the gift shop also took 1 hour. We traveled in May, there were not so many tourists, so we did not have to stand in lines. Therefore, we managed quickly enough and went shopping in Sicilia Outlet Village . Most better place for shopping in Sicily, but more on that another time.

I hope that our little trip to Etna will inspire you to visit Sicily and make your own ascent of the volcano, on your own routes. And we always welcome your happy feedback! Take your children with you so that they not only learn about Mount Etna from geography textbooks, but also see with their own eyes and touch pieces of lava with their own hands.

At least once in your life to visit the top of the real active volcano not everyone succeeds. We were so lucky, we were at the top of one of the most high volcanoes Europe, it is called Etna and is located on the Italian island of Sicily.

Actually, the desire to go to Sicily, and was primarily due to a visit to this unique place in Europe.
Mount Etna, the height at the time of our visit was 3325 m above sea level. Last time actively erupted in February 2013, i.e. recently. Since that time, the soil on the summit has not yet cooled down, and when we wandered between its side craters, it was felt through the soles of the shoes that the earth was hot. Around the main crater there are many small ones, of which periodically, with an interval of an average of once a year, an eruption occurs with lava flowing out. Many Italians told us that they are waiting for the next eruption, like manna from heaven, because at this time there is a massive influx of tourists on the island, and this is real money for the locals.

There are three colors of smoke over Etna, and all Sicilians know this from early childhood. Waking up in the morning, every inhabitant of the island involuntarily tries to catch a glimpse of the volcano, since it can be seen from afar. For a native Sicilian, a quick glance is enough to assess the situation. So, if white smoke still rises above the volcano, as usual, then everything is in order in Sicily, you can safely go about your business and not worry about anything. If the smoke is red, then most likely an eruption is possible in the coming days or weeks, you need to be ready. And blue smoke means that it's time to leave the island, or rather, immediately take your passport, money and valuables and go as far as possible from the volcano, if possible to the airport to leave the island.

Road to Etna. Lichens grow here and there.

How to climb Mount Etna on your own. Climbing instructions.
There are several ways to climb Mount Etna. The easiest way is to buy a tour from a tour operator. You will be brought there from anywhere in Sicily, they will tell you everything and show you and take you back.
If you decide to get to Etna on your own, then there are two ways to get there: from the south side, where we actually went from, and from the north side of the volcano, which is called Etna Nord. If you are going to the north side, then you must first take the motorway to Fiumefreddo and then further to the Piano Provenzana site.
We were on a more picturesque slope, on the south. From Taormina we drove along the toll highway to the town of Giarra and immediately turned right following the sign through the villages of S. Venerina-Zafferana and Etnea-Etna Sud to Etna. Signposts are common, brown in color and hard to miss. A winding serpentine winding among massive blocks of solidified lava will lead you to the foot of the volcano to a site called Rifugio Sapienza, which is located at an altitude of 1900 meters. An excellent paved road leads here. This name is on the map, but the navigator that I took with me did not see it. Therefore, we drove mainly according to road signs, which turned out to be not at all difficult.
Here, at Rifugio Sapienza, there is a large parking lot, by the way, paid, 4 euros per day. There is also an hourly parking fee. A man walks around the parking lot and explains to everyone where you can pay for parking. We paid for the whole day. After payment, you are given a ticket that you need to put under the glass of your car. From the parking lot to a height of 2300 meters, you already need to climb the cable car.
We knew that it would not be hot on the top of Etna, and maybe even cold, despite the almost forty-degree heat below, so we prepared for this at home, took warm jackets, socks and closed shoes with us. If you do not want to bother with this, you can rent warm jackets and boots. It costs 2 euros per set.

Rifugio Sapienza site.

So, we went into the hangar of the station, from where the cable car starts. There was a small queue for tickets, but it moves quickly. While we were standing in it, for nothing to do, we looked at the smoking peak of the volcano on the "plasma" placed on the wall, where the image is broadcast from a web-camera installed somewhere on top. You can immediately see what the weather is like there. Finally, we come to the checkout. The cashier asks exactly what height you are going to climb, the cost of tickets depends on this. At first, we bought tickets only for the cable car, and already at the upper station, then we bought more tickets for the bus, which takes us even higher and closer to the crater. It was necessary to immediately buy tickets for the bus, but something slowed us down or I didn’t understand something right away.

Queue for tickets for the cable car.

Corridor to cabins.

Rope cab.

Then, following the sign, we go to the moving booths. You are greeted by an electronic ticket composter very similar to those installed in Moscow buses. Those. insert the ticket and it immediately jumps back already validated. We pass a little forward and see the approaching booths with the doors already open. We sit down on the move, the doors close automatically and forward, i.e. up. The cabin is designed for six, its walls are glass and everything is perfectly visible through them. She crawls to the top for ten minutes. The impressions are breathtaking and the view from the cabin is amazing, you don’t have time to click the shutter of the camera.

Cable car to Mount Etna.

After getting up and leaving the cabin, you find yourself on a small platform, the height is already 2300 meters. Black loose rubble underfoot. It is felt that it has become somewhat cooler and an idea arises, how not to freeze there, at the top. If you decide to climb Etna without your warm clothes, then here you can rent warm jackets and mountain boots at a price of 2 euros per set. From here, many tourists begin to independently climb to the top of the crater. I really don't recommend doing this. Already at this place it is felt that the air is discharged, there is little oxygen and it really becomes difficult to breathe. I don’t know who you have to be to decide to climb on your own. And we have seen dozens of such self-propelled guns. Many stomp in shorts and regular beach sandals. What they are counting on is not clear, maybe they are atoning for some sins.

The site is at an altitude of 2300 meters. There is a bus stop here.

Here on this site there is a small cafe where you can have a sandwich or pizza and a cup of coffee. We did this on the way back. A couple of monitors are installed right there, on which they show a film about the last eruption of Etna in all its beauties. Very spectacular!
From here, from this site, the main adequate mass of tourists gets on Mercedes buses, which are already taking you to a height of 2900 meters to the side craters. I had to queue up for the bus again. True, they come every ten to fifteen minutes and the queue moves quickly.

The bus goes up to the volcano.

A winding cinder road leads uphill, buses rise along it. It gives the impression that you are driving through a hilly desert plain. Around only black cinder and pieces of crushed penza. On these black fells, amateurs climb or slide down in single file. hiking ascents to volcanoes. There is no vegetation around.

Tourists walk on the slopes of Mount Etna. And why should they be afraid, the smoke is white.

The upper platform, where they bring up on buses. From here the buses go down. Here he is, handsome, in all its glory, sleeping for now.

Finally the bus stops and you find yourself at an altitude of 2900 meters. Here the air is even thinner. If you start to go uphill a little, then you immediately feel shortness of breath. There are a lot of people, everyone walks along the paths around the small side craters. When you get off the bus, the guide will immediately try to lure you, for whom, by the way, you have already paid 9 euros at the bottom. This tour fee is sold together with bus tickets. The guide is useful for those who know Italian. In English, especially in Russian, we did not see guides. We walked around the volcano on our own. It wasn't cold at all, but autumn jackets came in very handy for us, especially closed shoes. Through the sole it was felt that the earth was hot, apparently not yet cooled down from the last eruption.

On one of the small craters. In the distance, the main large crater is visible, which still smokes, or, as they say in Sicily, smokes.

Unexpectedly found a small snowdrift. The ground is hot underfoot, but here the snowdrift is real.

Remains of volcanic activity.

We are on the ground, but above the clouds.

Small craters smoke themselves slowly.

It took us an hour and a half to do everything, after which we returned to the bus stop and boarded the first one going down.
There was no longer any queue back to the funicular, and we rode together in the booth. Having gone down to the Rifugio Sapienza, we walked around the souvenir shops. People mainly buy Sicilian honey, it is sold in almost every shop. Basically, all souvenirs from Etna are all kinds of crafts made from black lava or penza. We changed by the car. The cost of tickets for Etna per person is: 28.75 euros (cable car) + 22.40 euros (bus) + 9 euros (guide). Total 60.15 euros.

Souvenirs from Etna.

We were already descending back along another road, but also along the southern slope. Our path lay in Catania.
Etna volcano can also be reached by regular bus. First you get to Catania, there at the bus station take a bus that will take you to Rifugio Sapienza. The ticket costs something around 30 euros for one. And then it is already clear what to do.

Eruption of Mount Etna in April 2011. Video author: AndreaErcolani

Volcanoes are generally amazing natural formations. From afar, they seem very beautiful and romantic, but as soon as you get close to them, everything changes ... climate, nature, mood. Especially if they are active, alive ...

Mount Etna is located on east coast and now has a height of 3,329 meters above sea level. However, the height of Etna varies from eruption to eruption. The last eruption was recorded on October 26, 2013. Here it is:

The largest eruption of recent years happened in 1992, when Etna almost wiped out the town of Zafferana.
Etna is the largest active volcano in Europe and surpasses its famous Italian counterpart Vesuvius by 2.5 times.
In general, if you are planning a vacation on, consider the fact that Catania Airport is located in close proximity to the volcano and any of its activity may lead to the closure of the airport.
For example, I got to the next one, on a comfortable high-speed catamaran, which I talked about in.

The location of the volcano on the map. The image was taken from a NASA satellite in 2011. Another eruption:

1. Probably the most beautiful place from where you can enjoy the beauty of Mount Etna - a city located on the east coast of Sicily. Etna in the rays of sunset is beautiful:

2. The snow-covered peak of the volcano is visible from the central part of Taormina at a glance:

3. If you put a telephoto lens, you can see the details:

4. As you already understood from the title photo, I went to the volcano on this tiny smart:

5. There are three ways to get close to the volcano: northern, eastern and southern slope. I chose the south, a little later I will explain why:

6. As soon as the climb begins, the landscape immediately changes. Long-term traces of eruptions are everywhere underfoot:

7. The road winds a lot in places:

8. I posted this photo yesterday as a . The correct answer was given alexkpi

9. Almost all exits from the road are blocked:

10. Everything here is made of lava, even the curbs:

11. The higher you climb, the more the landscape changes and clouds appear that envelop the surface:

13. General picture of the scale of the smallest production car and the slopes of the largest active volcano in Europe:

14. Helipad. I can't imagine how pilots land in permanent cloud cover:

15. Here we are with you and reached the southern starting point of Rifugio Sapienza. We are at an altitude of 1920 meters above sea level:

16. There are huge parking lots, unfortunately, all are paid. It is from here that the ascent to the craters of the volcano begins along the southern slope:

Here it is necessary to explain. I drew a special map. From this, let's call it the lower station Rifugio (1920 meters), a cable car was laid to the upper station La Montagnola with a height of 2,550 meters. A ticket costs approximately 30 euros round trip. From the upper station you can buy an excursion on special off-road vehicles (ticket about 50 euros), which will take you almost to the crater, but the main climb must be done on foot along a steep slope:

In my opinion, there is nothing to do at the crater itself. There is always smoke and everything is in the clouds, you will not see anything. But freeze thoroughly.
I left Taormina at a temperature of +26, at an altitude of 1920 meters (Rifugio) the temperature was about +10. One can only guess how much lower it will be at the top of the crater. I did not have warm clothes with me for the ascent, for this reason I did not climb higher.

Rifugio station can be reached public transport from Catania via Nicolosi. Bus to Etna in the morning, back to the city in the evening:
Etna sud: departure from Catania (Piazza Giovanni XXIII)
Catania 8.15 - Nicolosi 9.05 - Etna Sud 10.15
Etna sud 16.30 - Nicolosi 17.20 - Catania 18.30

17. In the parking lot, the fences are also made of volcanic stones, it looks very unusual:

18. You can take a little walk here in the mountains of volcanic sand:

19. Another planet:

20. The poles of the cable car I was talking about are visible:

22. A bit gloomy:

24. We begin the descent down another road towards Catania. I was very pleased that almost any turn is equipped with a small parking lot. You can stop, take a few shots or just admire the scenery:

26. The coast and Catania are already visible below:

27. Around the footprints of big brother:

29. Once this red-hot lava swept away everything in its path:

30. The weather here changes instantly. There were just clouds, but in a few minutes they were gone:

31. You can enjoy:

35. Baby:

37. The sun abruptly covered with clouds:

38. Even sunspots are visible:

39. While shooting the sun, a cloud rolled onto the visible part of the slope:

41. We go down lower and lower:

43. At the next stop, the top again tightened:

45. Almost already descended:

46. ​​This is what Mount Etna looks like in the vicinity of Catania:

That's all!
See all photo reports on my tag -

Subscribe to this LiveJournal updates . I promise many interesting trips!

Like the photo in this post? Or you have your favorite digital photo of yourself and would like to decorate your home, office or other premises with it, we suggest using the services of our running workshop.
Send the file to [email protected] and provide your contact details. We will contact you, select the necessary material for printing, select an online baguette, agree it with you and discuss the cost.
After your consent, we will make a photographic picture, securely pack it and send it to any postal address in the Russian Federation.

My other travels, plans, thoughts and photo reports:
, , , ,