Among the black soils of this amazing volcano, we’ll follow an uncommon path amid myth and history, fire and passion, where nature and human events intertwine in a perfect symbiosis.
The path will begin from “Rifugio Clan dei Ragazzi”, where there is a wonderful view of the Sicilian coast. During this private trekking, we will discover seven breath-taking craters on the north-eastern side of Mount Etna, the highest active volcano in Europe, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2013. They were formed during the famous eruption of 1865, but today, we can closely admire these true wonders of nature. We will start our hike by following the picturesque path that reaches craters located at about 1,700 meters above sea level. First, we will cross an enchanting birch forest, which is the closest to the equator in the world. Here, the white colours of the trees magically contrast with the black lava soil of the volcano. Proceeding with the walk, we will get struck by the view of "Monte Frumento delle Concazze" and the Sartorius craters. We will climb one of these old craters to enjoy an unforgettable panorama of the coast, Taormina, the Peloritani Mountains, and the lava flow of 2002-2003. If the sky is clear, you will have the chance to admire the Aeolian Islands from the top!
We will then enjoy our day at the feet of the northern slope of Mount Etna, where centenary “Nerello Mascalese” or “Cappuccio” grapevines root in rich in minerals soils. Among Randazzo, Passopisciaro and Linguaglossa, where one produces the most refined red wine of Sicily, we’ll visit a winery in which they have been able to blend the old tradition of Sicilian farmers with the wine transalpine experiences. After the visit to the vineyards and the wine cellar, we’ll sit around a table to taste wines and delicacies from Etna.
ACTIVITY LEVEL: The excursion does not present any particular difficulties. It is graded easy on the condition that participants do not present any respiratory condition or other significant health problems like high blood pressure. The altitude reached is around 1800 meters above sea level.
