The trail to the summit craters of our “gentle giant”, is perhaps one of the top excursions that enthusiasts of trekking on Etna long to do. The beauty of this spectacular canvas painted by the force of nature is breathtaking and leaves the lucky trekkers who manage to see it with a memory that lasts forever. The feeling of being about to touch the point where the driving forces of Mount Etna meet: the destructive one, which the locals have learned to live with for centuries, and the creative one, which enriches us with spectacular natural performances, such as Strombolian eruptions, lava flows and all the other vibrant, pulsating expressions of nature provided by the volcano.

The meeting point is in Piano Provenzana – North Etna at 8:00am, we depart from 1800mt altitude using off road 4x4 vehicles along a wide range of vegetation and unique plants in the spectacular volcanic road. We will reach the Observatory, a panoramic platform at the altitude of 2800mt.

From this point 5km uphill trek will start sideways the suggestive lunar landscape, massive bombs and slag to reach the edge of the Summit Central Crater and his impressive geological phenomenon of gas emission, fumaroles and bright sulphur minerals at 3.300mt altitude. It is impossible not to be enchanted by the immediate beauty of beautiful structure that overlooks a beautiful landscape, leaving you speechless.

Total uphill difference: 500mt, about 1h30 walking.

After reaching the top of the volcano the expert guide will support you on the descendent, a fascinating journey in a particular sandy channel discovering interesting volcanic spot, about 1h30 walking.

When we arrive at the Observatory in Pizzi Deneri we will come back to Piano Provenzana by Off Road 4x4 vehicles.