How to climb Mount Etna: what beginners need to know

Mount Etna is Europe's largest active volcano, located on the island of Sicily. The mountain has an approximate height of 3,350 meters – an exact figure is difficult to give because the volcano is constantly changing due to eruptions and emissions. Etna has erupted at least 80 times over the past 100 years, and in August 2024, it spewed a giant cloud of dirty black ash 10 km high.

The volcano is located near the cities of Messina and Catania. It is the highest mountain in Italy, located south of the Alps. According to various sources, there are 200 to 400 volcanic craters on Etna. Despite all the dangers, hiking on Etna is quite popular among tourists. Experts told us how to climb the volcano and what beginners should know.

Etna is not a challenge for the faint of heart. The typical mountain combination of altitude, rocks, and capricious weather in unique contrast to the volcanic activity makes advance planning a must for the trip.

As early as November, the top of the mountain is covered with snow, so the best months to climb are April, May, September, and October. Spring and autumn days are pleasantly warm and sunny, there are fewer travelers, and the beautiful scenery will give you an incredible experience.

Hiking on Mount Etna is strictly regulated. Climbing an active volcano is always risky and dangerous. It is forbidden to climb above 2500 meters. There is also a ban on independent climbs, so it is better to choose the services of companies that offer guided hikes in advance. Before parting with your cash, make sure that your guide belongs to the Collegio Regionale delle Guide Alpine e Vulcanologiche (Regional College of Sicilian Alpine and Volcanological Guides).

Gruppo Guide Alpine Etna Sud is the oldest association of guides in Etna, established in 1804.

Hikes start at 8:30 am or 9 am, and you should return in the afternoon, before the weather changes.

Warm clothes and professional shoes are required. Dress in layers, wear long pants and buy sturdy closed shoes, preferably suitable sneakers or boots. Even when it is warm at low altitudes, it will be cold and windy at the top. Pack a windbreaker, a warm hat, and gloves in your backpack. Don't forget sunscreen, glasses (for dust as well as sun glare), and a warm scarf to protect your face from dust and gas odors. If you wear contact lenses, bring goggles with you – the dust level is extremely high.

Any missing equipment, including hiking boots, warm jackets, and trekking poles, can be rented directly from the guides' lodges. The cost of most hikes includes the rental of the kit.

You can approach Mount Etna in two ways: from the wild north (closest to Taormina) or the more developed south (closest to Catania).

The northern slopes of Etna, known as Etna Nord, attract hardened hikers. Guided hikes start from Piano Provenzana, a ski resort at an altitude of 1800 meters, which consists only of a lonely row of wooden huts. The serpentine approach – from the small town of Lingvaglossa (30 minutes), built in 1556 on an ancient lava flow, or from the attractive village of Giarre (45 minutes) – winds through lemon groves, vineyards, beech forest, surreal steel-black fields, and a lava flow frozen in time.

The main crowd of tourists prefers Etna Sud. Hikes up the busier southern slopes start at Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza (1910 m), a sprawling square with a chaotic mix of souvenir huts, sports shops, and fast food joints. This is the place where you can take the only cable car of Mount Etna to a panoramic height of 2500 meters.

To get to Etna Sud, one daily AST bus runs from Piazza Giovanni XXIII in front of Catania Train Station to Rifugio Sapienza (2 hours, 6.60 euros). Be careful: buying a bus ticket online does not guarantee a seat on the bus, locals say. The return bus leaves Rifugio Sapienza at 16:30.

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