etna: destruction and creation

beautiful and scary

The Etna mountain is the tallest still active volcano in Europe, with 3.300 meters height. Born about 600.000 years ago, during the millennia has shaped the geography of Sicily and in the centuries has accompanied the peoples living in the island. It is based in the province of Catania.

Being active, the Etna shows frequently spectacular eruptions that attract also many tourists, thanks to their explosive nature that make them look like fire-crackers. Even though even during the last 100 years some eruptions have destroyed towns or parts of towns, it is generally safe and highly monitored by the experts.

The eastern side features the so called "Valle del Bove" (Bull's Valley), a black desert where no vegetation grows and no towns have been established, due to the fact that many Vulcano eruptions end up in this valley.

The Western part has many woods and the characteristic landscape called "sciare" where Pistachio from Bronte grows, it is a very rocky landscape.

The southern and northern side are the most inhabited and also the easiest way to access the volcano. In particular, in the North the access to the higher parts of the mountain are possible through a town called Linguaglossa. While in the south the access is through the town of Nicolosi.

In the territory of both of those towns there are ski stations and hotels, accessible through the cable car, that are very busy during the winter time.

Around the Etna mountain, following its perimeter, many towns have been established during the centuries, and also rebuilt many times. These chain of towns is called "Paesi Etnei" (Etna Towns) and are connected with the main city of Catania through the railway called "Circumetnea" (which means: the one that goes around the Etna).

Starting from Catania, the railway meets: Paternò, Adrano, Bronte, Randazzo, Giarre, Riposto, going the opposite of clockwise. All these towns, together with smaller ones in between, are quite renowned for their agricultural products, especially, Pistachio, Wine, Olive Oil, but also apples, honey and sausages.

The mountain offers three main type of activities: visit of the craters, hiking in the forests and skiing. Many other activities are related to experiences linked to food and wine. Many private companies offer such activities during all the seasons, while it is recommended only to the experts to go on hiking and visiting areas of the volcano by themselves.

The landscape offered by the Etna is very unique and varied. The typical landscape starting from 2000 meters looks like the moon landscape, very little plants are present, while in summer only a huge black desert can be seen (in winter a white one). The more recent lava flows can be recognized by a deep black color, while the oldest ones have a light grey color. Many are also the craters that can be seen and even visited. In total on the mountain there are 4 main craters on the top and about 300 all around. The top craters are still active and can be visited only with authorized guides.

Coming down from 2000 to 1000 meters starts the vegetation with very big woods of pines, oaks and other trees. Below 1000 we find the first human settling, towns and cultivated fields, especially pistachios on the west side (Bronte) or wine yards on the North, East and South side.

The easiest way to get to the highest areas of the volcano is certainly by car, driving either to the north side to Piano Provenzana, or to the south side to Rifugio Sapienza.

It is possible to reach the top also with the public transportation, but only to the south side. The company AST operates one direct connection per day leaving the Catania central station at 8.15 and reaching Rifugio Sapienza at 10.15, cost of the ticket is 5€. The return trip from Rifugio Sapienza is at 16.30.

The railway going around the Etna mountain, called Circumetnea, goes from Catania to Randazzo, circling the mountain starting from the south side (Adrano), moving to the west (Bronte), North (Randazzo) end finishing on the north-east side in Riposto. While the train is used a lot by the locals who move from the towns on the mountain to the main city, it also offers a lot of options to the tourists. Especially it is possible to book 4 type of tours: Il Treno dei Vini dell'Etna (an itinerary where several vineyard can be visited, with the help of a bus together with the train) https://www.stradadelvinodelletna.it/cover, Treno su Due Ruote (a touristic offer that allows to bring the bike on the train) http://trenosudueruote.circumetnea.it/eng.html

Ski on the Etna

The Etna offers two ski facilities (Etna Nord and Etna Sud), both of the equipped with cable cars and ski lifts.

The slopes are of easy/medium difficulties and not particularly challenging for expert skiers, but on the other hand quite long. They are the perfect slopes to learn how to ski, also because of the lack of obstacles, like trees and bushes, due to the volcanic landscape.

A second ski activity quite popular is also the ski mountaineering, that is hiking around the slopes of the mountain with skis, possibly accompanied by expert alpine guides.

Both ski stations are managed by the same company. The ski season usually starts in December, depending on the snow level and lasts until there is enough snow to ski (around April).

The ski lift is available from 9.00 to 15.45.

The daily ticket for adults is 30€, for children (up to 12 years old) is 21€.

It is possible to buy half day ticket, from 12.00 to 15.45 for 19€ (11€ for children).

It is also possible to buy a ticket valid for the entire season for 250€, valid for both stations (north and south).

Alcantara gorge

The current shape of the Alcantara river, especially of the gorge that can be visited, is about 8000 years old, while the river itself is thought to be 300.000 years old. 8000 years ago at least three different lava flows came from a low crater of the Etna mountain and met with the water. This combination made the lava become cold very fast, creating very chaotic shapes and canyons, together with the long pillar-shaped stone on the walls of the canyon.