Mount Etna - Sicily's most spectacular natural wonder
Can you imagine visiting one of the most active volcanoes in the world? The Etna in Sicily is a true natural wonder and invites sustainable tourists like you on versatile discovery tours that you will carry in your heart forever.
Ready to explore the secrets of Etna? Then pack your IMPACKT suitcase and follow me to Bella Italia.
The Etna Volcano - A Natural Phenomenon
Did you know that the volcano Etna is simply called La Montagna, the mountain, or affectionately Caro Amico, good friend, by the locals? These Sicilians are likeable, aren't they? With its striking silhouette, the 3,300-metre-high Caro Amico towers over the entire east coast of Sicily.
Does the active volcano resemble a pile of rubble? Far from it. The fertile soil created by the activity of Europe's largest active volcano offers ideal conditions for growing a variety of plants, including olive trees and citrus fruits. The pistachios from Bronte, which grow at the foot of Mount Etna, are particularly famous. This region is also known for its exquisite wines, which could be said to owe their uniqueness to the volcanic terroir. The higher you go, the more the vibrant colors of the vegetation give way to the bizarre sculptures of cooled rock that give Etna the look of a lunar landscape. So it's no wonder that Mount Etna has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023. But enough words: let's get going.
Historic railroad round trip
We start our journey in the city of Catania, the starting point for all adventures around Mount Etna - like the round trip by train with the Ferrovia Circumetnea.
This is the perfect travel idea for a relaxed day trip or if you're not so good on foot. For €8, we circle Mount Etna on the historic narrow-gauge railroad and visit the medieval village of Randazzo before continuing on the Ferrovia Circumetnea. Incidentally, tourists are not the only passengers on board: schoolchildren and families also use this means of transportation in their everyday lives. This makes us feel almost like locals.
The charm of this old and yet somewhat jerky train journey lies in the slow travel, which slows down time and provides a new perspective on Mount Etna - exactly what I was looking for on my sustainable world travel always looking for.
Another small piece of information: The Ferrovia Circumetnea only runs from Catania to Giarre. For the last stretch from Giarre back to Catania, you can change once to a modern train from Trenitalia . The conductors are very nice and will let you know in good time.
Sustainable journey to the north or south side
Do you want to hike and experience the lava fields up close instead of taking the train? From the starting point in Catania, buses run daily up to 1,900 meters to the valley station "Rifugio Sapienza", the starting point for a variety of hikes on the southern side of Mount Etna. This is also where we started. To visit northern Etna, I recommend joining up with other travelers and renting an electric car. You don't know whether to explore the north or south side? Here you can find more information to help you decide.
On an exploration tour: with a guide or on your own?
Then the only question left is: do you want a guided tour or would you rather set off on your own? We would have loved to take part in the half-day Eco Green Etna Tour for €75 per person to discover the vegetation, the lava caves with a helmet and flashlight and the lava flows with a local guide. The locals always have the best stories to tell. Unfortunately, a guided tour didn't work out, so we explored Mount Etna on our own.
Over hill and dale
Instead of taking the cable car for €25, we decide to climb up to mountain station at an altitude of 2,500 meters on foot. After all, we are still young and dynamic, as my dad would say. On our way, we keep discovering new facets of the fascinating landscape. It's amazing how much greenery grows on these craters, such as the soapwort Saponaria dell'etna. There are also more animals than you might think. Every now and then we discover small Etna inhabitants, such as a gecko scurrying past or a solitary grasshopper. The structures of the solidified rock form fascinating, artistic shapes, while small stone pyramids are piled up along the path.
Flo and I stop for a drink every now and then, as the climb is quite steep - a wonderful workout for the stomach, legs and bottom after so much pasta and pizza in Italy. We also stop regularly to enjoy the sweeping views and the cool, refreshing air. Etna therefore offers the ideal oasis for a trip in the hot summer - a place where you can always find a cool spot.
Done: Of peaks and craters
After about two hours, we are at the same height as the mountain station. From here, you can visit the various craters on foot or by jeep. We do just that - after a short Italian coffee break. We don't make it to the next active crater - so no bubbling magma for us today. Theoretically, however, you can almost reach the active crater rim - at a distance of around 300 meters. Closer would be too dangerous because it can spit out rocks. You can find everything about the latest Etna activities here.
What is the fascination up there? It's a world of its own. We discover small spots in a crater where hot air and smoke escape. You could almost imagine a dragon hiding somewhere in these mystical landscapes. But it's not just this lunar landscape that captivates us...
I was told that the vastness is particularly fascinating. In good weather, you can almost see as far as the sea. I like to believe that. But today it's probably more the motto above the clouds à la Reinhard Mey - despite everything, I feel endless and free up there.
Etna - an adventure with a positive IMPACKT
Visiting Mount Etna offers the opportunity to experience the beauty of nature while promoting understanding and respect for our environment. Because what we understand and love, we will also protect. Let Sicily enchant you so that we can leave an IMPACKTand preserve this region for generations to come.
Best regards,
Franzi
