Etna - Trekking to the summit craters (only guide service) experienced hikers
Overview
Trekking in small groups
Ascent by off-road vehicles along the panoramic northern slope up to 2,825 meters. From there, the hike continues on foot through volcanic scoria and lava bombs, with a 500-meter elevation gain, reaching the rim of the Central Crater at 3,380 meters.
After a stop at the summit to observe the volcanic landscape, the descent is on foot down to 1,800 meters (approx. 7 km), crossing large gullies filled with soft volcanic sand.
Main data:
• Total distance (round trip): 12 km
• Maximum altitude: 3,380 m
• Minimum altitude: 1,800 m
• Ascent: +500 m
• Descent: -1,580 m (the long downhill section may be more demanding than the climb)
• Difficulty: Suitable only for experienced hikers
Note:
Participants who decide during the excursion to return by bus from 2,850 m to 1,800 m must pay €70 instead of €50.
What's Included
- Entry/Admission to Mount Etna
- Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack
- Insurance in case of accidents
- Licensed Volcano Guide
- Transport service from your accommodation
- Hat and gloves (during autumn, winter and spring)
- Parking ticket (€5 for the entire day on weekdays and €8 on Sundays and public holidays.)
- Off road vehicle (one way only) from1800m up to 2825m (50€per person to be paid on the spot)
- Those who choose to return by bus from 2,850 m to 1,800 m must pay €70 instead of €50
Meeting Location
Etna nord-Piano Provenzana
Via Provenzana, 95015 Linguaglossa CT, Italy
Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
What To Expect
Book Online
Safe & secure Easy breezy Hassle‑free
Piano Provenzana
30 minutes Admission Ticket Free
Itinerario Crateri Sommitali
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Mount Etna
4 hours Admission Ticket Included
Piano Provenzana
30 minutes Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular diseases (breathing ones, or hypertension).
- The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.
- For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guide know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problems and to avoid any risks.
- The excursion will be carried out according to the limits established by the ordinance in force published by the competent authorities in case of volcanic explosions, the volcano guides must respect it. In this case the guides must stop where it is still safe to arrive for the safety of the entire group.
- The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
- We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
- The trekking requires a discrete preparation on a physical level. Being a path that develops at high altitude, it will be easy to accuse symptoms of fatigue. It is required attention, since it is a volcanic active area, subjected to constant gaseous exhalations and composed by a soil constituted by inconsistent and unstable rocks.
- Without adequate shoes you are not covered by insurance.
- Pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed to take part to any excursion activity.
- Because of the continuous and unpredictable evolution of the volcanic activity, the excursions could undergo variations, or, in extreme cases, be cancelled, at the discretion of the guide for safety reasons.
- The excursion is not suitable for children under 12 years old
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Etna – Trekking to the summit craters (only guide service) experienced hikers?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-167552P3
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Reviews
Average 4.84 out of 5 stars based on 140 traveler reviews collected by City Balloon Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor
Additional Info
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Frequently Asked Questions (8)
The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Balloon Tours customers.
Filter by:
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the tour start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the tour start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the tour start time will not be accepted.
- Cut-off times are based on the tour local time (CET).
- This tour requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- Entry/Admission to Mount Etna.
- Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack.
- Insurance in case of accidents.
- Licensed Volcano Guide.
- Transport service from your accommodation.
- Hat and gloves (during autumn, winter and spring).
- Parking ticket (€5 for the entire day on weekdays and €8 on Sundays and public holidays.).
- Off road vehicle (one way only) from1800m up to 2825m (50€per person to be paid on the spot).
- Those who choose to return by bus from 2,850 m to 1,800 m must pay €70 instead of €50.
This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Apr 2025The minimum age to participate is 13. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..
Apr 2025If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.
If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.
Apr 2025Accessibility information for the Etna - Trekking to the summit craters (only guide service) experienced hikers is as follows:
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular diseases (breathing ones, or hypertension).
- The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.
- For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guide know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problems and to avoid any risks.
- The excursion will be carried out according to the limits established by the ordinance in force published by the competent authorities in case of volcanic explosions, the volcano guides must respect it. In this case the guides must stop where it is still safe to arrive for the safety of the entire group.
- The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
- We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
- The trekking requires a discrete preparation on a physical level. Being a path that develops at high altitude, it will be easy to accuse symptoms of fatigue. It is required attention, since it is a volcanic active area, subjected to constant gaseous exhalations and composed by a soil constituted by inconsistent and unstable rocks.
- Without adequate shoes you are not covered by insurance.
- Pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed to take part to any excursion activity.
- Because of the continuous and unpredictable evolution of the volcanic activity, the excursions could undergo variations, or, in extreme cases, be cancelled, at the discretion of the guide for safety reasons.
- The excursion is not suitable for children under 12 years old
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Etna – Trekking to the summit craters (only guide service) experienced hikers will be included in your confirmation email from City Balloon Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!
Mar 2024Once your refund is processed, it usually shows on your card statement within 5–10 business days. The exact timing depends on your bank or card issuer.
Want it sooner? When you cancel, choose Receive a refund to my wallet instead. The credit is in your Wallet straight away and is applied automatically at checkout on your next booking when you’re signed in with the same email. You can see your balance any time in My Wallet.
If you paid part of your booking with Wallet credit, that part always goes back to your Wallet. Trip protection isn’t refundable.
Oct 2026What's Included
- Entry/Admission to Mount Etna
- Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack
- Insurance in case of accidents
- Licensed Volcano Guide
- Transport service from your accommodation
- Hat and gloves (during autumn, winter and spring)
- Parking ticket (€5 for the entire day on weekdays and €8 on Sundays and public holidays.)
- Off road vehicle (one way only) from1800m up to 2825m (50€per person to be paid on the spot)
- Those who choose to return by bus from 2,850 m to 1,800 m must pay €70 instead of €50
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular diseases (breathing ones, or hypertension).
- The excursion could be subjected to variations at the discretion of the Guides, or it could be interrupted in case of changes of the environmental, climatic or volcanic conditions, so as to undermine the safety of the entire group.
- For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guide know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problems and to avoid any risks.
- The excursion will be carried out according to the limits established by the ordinance in force published by the competent authorities in case of volcanic explosions, the volcano guides must respect it. In this case the guides must stop where it is still safe to arrive for the safety of the entire group.
- The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
- We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.
- The trekking requires a discrete preparation on a physical level. Being a path that develops at high altitude, it will be easy to accuse symptoms of fatigue. It is required attention, since it is a volcanic active area, subjected to constant gaseous exhalations and composed by a soil constituted by inconsistent and unstable rocks.
- Without adequate shoes you are not covered by insurance.
- Pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy are not allowed to take part to any excursion activity.
- Because of the continuous and unpredictable evolution of the volcanic activity, the excursions could undergo variations, or, in extreme cases, be cancelled, at the discretion of the guide for safety reasons.
- The excursion is not suitable for children under 12 years old
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers
