Hike near the summit craters up to the maximum safe altitude currently foreseen
Overview
The excursion starts at 1,900 m, where—after check-in and ticket purchase with your guide—you board the cable car to 2,500 m. From here begins an extraordinary trek gaining about 500 m in altitude, crossing recent snow-capped lava flows, vast craters, dramatic lava channels, and hot fumaroles venting high-temperature gases. The climb reaches 3,000 m—the maximum altitude currently permitted depending on volcanic-risk levels ⚠️—at the foot of the South-East Crater, Etna’s most active and spectacular cone.
This route immerses you in the highest active volcano in Europe, offering rare close-up views of ongoing volcanic processes and the powerful landscape shaped by recent eruptions. The descent is entirely on foot from 3,000 m back to the cable-car station, then by cable car to the starting point.
Total duration: ~5 hours
Distance: ~6.5 km
Elevation gain: ~500 m (may vary)
Difficulty: E (Hikers) – for those accustomed to sustained walking at high altitude.
What's Included
- Entry/Admission to Mount Etna
- Accident insurance
- Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack
- Authorized vulcanological guide
- 54€ per person to be paid on site: tickets for cableway (round trip)
- Parking ticket
- Transport service from your accommodation
- Hat and gloves
- Snowshoe rental at a cost of € 15 per person in case of deep snow (to be paid to your guide who will provide the equipment)
Meeting Location
Piazzale Funivia Etna
Sud, 95030 Nicolosi 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
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Mount Etna
5 hours Admission Ticket Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- The trek is not recommended for those who engage in little physical activity.
- Although the excursion does not require any particular physical preparation, caution is advised, as the volcanic terrain can often be uneven and unstable.
- The itinerary may be adjusted at the guides’ discretion or suspended if environmental, weather, or volcanic conditions change and pose a risk to the group’s safety.
- The excursion will be conducted in accordance with the limits established by the regulations in force.
- Suitable for children over 7 years old who are accustomed to walking.
- The route includes ascending and walking along the crater rims, which may cause dizziness in sensitive individuals.
- This itinerary, given its nature and altitude, is suitable for individuals in good physical health who do not have specific medical conditions, such as cardiovascular, respiratory issues, or hypertension.
- For a safe and enjoyable excursion, it’s important to be aware of your health conditions and, if needed, share them with the guide. Doing so helps prevent problems and reduce risks.
- The use of contact lenses is not recommended due to volcanic gases and ash, which can easily irritate the eyes. If you do wear them, it is advisable to use them in combination with sunglasses.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
Frequently Asked Questions (8)
Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Hike near the summit craters up to the maximum safe altitude currently foreseen?
Cancellation Policy
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Activity code: C-167552P6
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Reviews
Average 4.98 out of 5 stars based on 47 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.
- Accident insurance.
- Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack.
- Authorized vulcanological guide.
- 54€ per person to be paid on site: tickets for cableway (round trip).
- Parking ticket.
- Transport service from your accommodation.
- Hat and gloves.
- Snowshoe rental at a cost of € 15 per person in case of deep snow (to be paid to your guide who will provide the equipment).
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 8. 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 Hike near the summit craters up to the maximum safe altitude currently foreseen is as follows:
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- The trek is not recommended for those who engage in little physical activity.
- Although the excursion does not require any particular physical preparation, caution is advised, as the volcanic terrain can often be uneven and unstable.
- The itinerary may be adjusted at the guides’ discretion or suspended if environmental, weather, or volcanic conditions change and pose a risk to the group’s safety.
- The excursion will be conducted in accordance with the limits established by the regulations in force.
- Suitable for children over 7 years old who are accustomed to walking.
- The route includes ascending and walking along the crater rims, which may cause dizziness in sensitive individuals.
- This itinerary, given its nature and altitude, is suitable for individuals in good physical health who do not have specific medical conditions, such as cardiovascular, respiratory issues, or hypertension.
- For a safe and enjoyable excursion, it’s important to be aware of your health conditions and, if needed, share them with the guide. Doing so helps prevent problems and reduce risks.
- The use of contact lenses is not recommended due to volcanic gases and ash, which can easily irritate the eyes. If you do wear them, it is advisable to use them in combination with sunglasses.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Hike near the summit craters up to the maximum safe altitude currently foreseen 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
- Accident insurance
- Trekking poles, trekking shoes, helmets, warm jacket, extra socks, extra backpack
- Authorized vulcanological guide
- 54€ per person to be paid on site: tickets for cableway (round trip)
- Parking ticket
- Transport service from your accommodation
- Hat and gloves
- Snowshoe rental at a cost of € 15 per person in case of deep snow (to be paid to your guide who will provide the equipment)
Additional Info
- Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
- Service animals allowed
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- The trek is not recommended for those who engage in little physical activity.
- Although the excursion does not require any particular physical preparation, caution is advised, as the volcanic terrain can often be uneven and unstable.
- The itinerary may be adjusted at the guides’ discretion or suspended if environmental, weather, or volcanic conditions change and pose a risk to the group’s safety.
- The excursion will be conducted in accordance with the limits established by the regulations in force.
- Suitable for children over 7 years old who are accustomed to walking.
- The route includes ascending and walking along the crater rims, which may cause dizziness in sensitive individuals.
- This itinerary, given its nature and altitude, is suitable for individuals in good physical health who do not have specific medical conditions, such as cardiovascular, respiratory issues, or hypertension.
- For a safe and enjoyable excursion, it’s important to be aware of your health conditions and, if needed, share them with the guide. Doing so helps prevent problems and reduce risks.
- The use of contact lenses is not recommended due to volcanic gases and ash, which can easily irritate the eyes. If you do wear them, it is advisable to use them in combination with sunglasses.
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 15 travelers
