Discovering the highest active volcano in Europe: 3 tips to visit Mount Etna

The highest active volcano in Europe is an unmissable stop of any trip to Sicily. And your next vacation will certainly not be an exception. Do you need some tips for visiting Etna, one of the most beautiful places in Sicily? Below you will find the three most important things to know.

1. How to get

The very first thing to know is, of course, how to get to Etna. At your disposal there are several possibilities. In fact, you can choose between:

• Car (which we advise you to board on the ferry): starting from Catania, there are several roads that will allow you to reach Mount Etna by car, such as the 92 Nicolosi-Sapienza provincial road and the provincial road 92 Zafferana Etnea-Rifugio Sapienza ;
• Buses: they leave from Catania central station, so from an easily accessible area of ​​the city;
• Train: you just have to take the Circumetnea, the railway line that leaves from the edge of Catania and arrives up to Riposto (for more information, visit the it site).

2. What to see

Once you get to the top, the real visit begins. There is so much to see on Mount Etna. Some of the most characteristic and unmissable places are the summit craters, the so-called Montagnola, the Monti silvestri and the Valle del Bove. You will find yourself walking in a very suggestive landscape.

3. Excursions

If you are particularly trained and in your suitcase there are always the hiking boots, you have to know that the slopes of Etna are crossed by several paths that offer interesting ideas for excursions. In particular, the best paths are these seven:

• Case Pirao – Monte Spagnolo;
• Monte Nero degli Zappini;
• Pista alto montana dell’Etna – Sentiero Italia;
• Sentiero natura monti Sartorius;
• Citelli – Serracozzo;
• Piano dei Grilli;
• Pietracannone – Cubania – Sentiero Italia;
• Schiena dell’Asino.

These paths are of varying length and difficulty. So, before you try, be sure to be prepared physically and study the path carefully, so you can be sure it is within your reach. In addition, we suggest that you always engage in company.

For more information on how to visit Mount Etna, please refer to the official site Parcoetna.it.

Image source: Flickr.com/photos/ansash