Guide Etna Sud · Guided tours on the volcano

Discover Etna with your backpack on.

Guided experiences designed for those who want to explore the volcano with the right balance of nature, safety, and wonder. Carefully selected itineraries, human-paced rhythms, and real attention to the quality of the experience.

Local guides Direct knowledge of the territory
Curated experiences For families, couples, and small groups
Fast support Simple assistance before departure
Eruption in progress

Lava flow excursion: availability to be confirmed.

Volcanic activity is ongoing. The tour is offered only when altitude, wind, visibility and official guidance allow a suitable route. By booking now, you can receive an updated assessment from the guides and confirm the experience as soon as conditions allow.

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Discovery our adventures

€ 50
Difficulty medium
3 h

Schiena dell’Asino Trail Excursion

We meet at La Terrazza dell’Etna (meeting point), a bar–restaurant–self-service area, where we’ll get ready before departure.

The hike begins at an altitude of 1,900 meters, along the 2002/03 eruption trail, with views over the Etna South tourist station.

We continue along the 1537 eruptive fracture and then head up toward the 1892 crater.

Next, we reach the 2001 eruptive cone: we climb to the top and… yes, this is where a stop is a must. The view from up there is absolutely worth it.

From here, the trail leads us toward the Schiena dell’Asino, crossing pioneer vegetation that is slowly reclaiming the volcanic terrain.

We arrive at the viewpoint overlooking the spectacular Valle del Bove, at around 2,200 meters: in front of us, the remains of ancient volcanic structures.
This is where we stop for lunch—and trust us, everything tastes better with this view.

After the break, we begin our descent: we walk down a sandy channel toward the Pitagora Cave, a fascinating volcanic dyke carved into the rock.

The final stretch gently leads us back through a conifer forest… and then back to the starting point.

A hike of great natural value that will allow you to rediscover the eruptive activity that shaped today’s landscape.

€ 70
Difficulty high
5 h

Valle del Bove Crossing

We meet at La Terrazza dell’Etna (Meeting Point), a bar–restaurant–self-service, where we’ll get organized before departure.

We will take the cable car from 1,920 meters above sea level up to 2,500 meters (terminal station).

After leaving the cable car, we will hike up to the cone of the Laghetto crater (2,620 m a.s.l., 2001 eruption).

We will then head towards the Montagnola gully (known as “Rina,” sandy terrain).

From there, a fascinating and very fun descent will take us down to about 1,700 meters above sea level, where we will begin the longitudinal crossing of the Valle del Bove (an impressive caldera of about 40 square kilometers).

For about 1.5 km, we will cross the 1991 pahoehoe lava flow.

Before starting the ascent through the beech gully, we will stop for a lunch break (15 minutes) on the Trifoglietto plateau (an ancient eruptive crater of Etna).

We will then climb the beech gully up to Serra del Salifizio (the southern ridge of the Valle del Bove).

From there, we descend, crossing Acqua Rocca (a small ephemeral waterfall), down to Piano del Vescovo (1,400 m a.s.l.), where vehicles will be waiting to take us back to Rifugio Sapienza.

Note: Minimum 4 participants.

€ 150
Difficulty high
6 h

Etna Traverse from North to South

We meet at Piano Provenzana square (Linguaglossa, Etna North). The exact meeting point will be communicated later, where we’ll get organized before departure.

Starting from Piano Provenzana (Etna North), we follow an off-road track (about 10 km) up to approximately 2,900 m above sea level, near Punta Lucia.

From there, at the base of the Northeast Crater and the central crater, the ascent begins along the “Del Paletto” trail, leading first to Monte Agata (3,200 m) and then to the summit, along the crater rim.

We walk along part of the Northeast Crater, then after a short descent, we climb up the central crater (Bocca Nuova), crossing it along the ridge heading south, towards the Southeast Crater.

We then descend along a direct route to the base of the Bocca Nuova and Southeast craters, returning to 3,000 m.
A very quick break, just enough time to eat something.

We continue towards the southeast, heading to the Barbagallo lateral craters, formed during the 2002/03 eruption.

From here begins the long descent towards the valley, passing alongside the spectacular Valle del Bove, the large caldera that preserves the remains of Etna’s ancient volcanic structures.

A few more steps through volcanic sand and lunar landscapes…
and we return to the cable car terminal at 2,500 m.

Total distance: approximately 12 km
Elevation gain: 600 meters
Elevation loss: 900 meters

Notes: minimum 4 participants
The starting point is different from the arrival point; arrangements will be made to retrieve any vehicles.

Let yourself be amazed by the power of nature.

On Etna, you do not just walk: you listen. The sound of your steps on ancient lava. The breath of the wind rising from the valleys. The quickened heartbeat when you reach the summit. Here, everything speaks, everything vibrates, everything lives.

Who will guide you

We are certified guides, but above all, we are in love with this breathing giant. We know every trail, every viewpoint, every small secret hidden between lava and forests. And we have one mission: to let you experience Etna in a way you don’t expect. No rhetoric, no filters—just the full emotion that only true nature can offer.

Nino Scandura

I’ve been walking on this lava all my life: I was born here! I’d be happy to guide you on Etna, a volcano of emotions without time or…

Marco Di Bella

I’m Marco, a volcanological guide with a degree in Geophysics. I grew up on Etna, where my parents managed for over thirty years the…

Fabio Pulvirenti

Born at the foot of the volcano, I hold a degree in Geology and Geophysics and work as a freelance professional. I am a volcanological guide on Etna…

Tailored experiences

Excursions designed around your time, your pace, and your desire to explore.

Only have a few hours, a free day, or traveling with kids? We help you choose the experience that suits you best, from simple, scenic routes to more adventurous ones.

Short tours Family-friendly Multiple difficulty levels
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Altitude ~ 3,300 m

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Questions? We're here to answer

Do I need experience?

No, all our excursions are designed to be accessible to everyone, even those with no prior experience.

For summit altitudes, the minimum age is 12. In any case, the excursion is strongly discouraged for people with asthma, heart or circulatory conditions, and diabetes.

It is recommended to wear layered clothing, bring a windproof jacket, hiking shoes, 1.5 liters of water, and a sandwich. In any case, for those who do not have mountain gear, it will be provided directly by us on site.
If thunderstorms are expected, no!
Yes, depending on the weather conditions.
If for any reason you need to cancel your booking, you can do so up to 12 hours before the excursion and receive a 100% refund.

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