Etna: Cable Car & Hiking Tour to Summit
4.7
36 Ratings
Città metropolitana di Catania

Ascend Mount Etna’s summit with a certified guide. Experience breathtaking views and thrilling hikes on Europe’s highest active volcano. Book your adventure now.

Duration: 5 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Monte Gebel Di Mariangela Carbonaro - Ascend to the highest accessible point of Mount Etna with a certified alpine guide. Safely admire the splendor of Europe’s tallest active volcano at 3,000 meters above sea level.
    Starting from Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi, a cable car will lift you to 2,504 meters. From there, you’ll hike to the maximum permitted altitude. The 1.5-hour uphill trek will take you past numerous craters, especially towards the crater from the 2001 eruption. You’ll take extended breaks for photos and rest during the hike.

Upon reaching the Barbagallo craters at 3,000 meters, you’ll enjoy an exclusive view of the summit craters. You’ll then hike back to 2,500 meters and take the cable car back to Rifugio Sapienza.

Experience the awe-inspiring sensation of standing atop the world in this rugged, stunning landscape with the vast sky above. After a long pause near the craters, you’ll descend towards the 2002 craters before taking the cable car back to the starting point at Refuge Sapienza.

This tour is strictly forbidden for individuals with heart conditions and asthma.

What's Included
  • Cable car ticket
  • Certified Alpine and Volcano Guide
  • Helmet
  • Hiking sticks
  • Wind jacket
What's Not Included
  • Lunch
  • Hiking shoes
Additional Information

Hike the Etna Volcano to reach the summit craters of Mount Etna, standing at approximately 3000 meters!

You’ll embark on this adventure with a certified alpine and volcano guide, ensuring your safety as you explore the highest active volcano in Europe, towering 3,000 meters above sea level.

Starting from Sapienza Refuge in Nicolosi, a Cable Car will transport you up to 2,504 meters, from where you’ll continue with an exhilarating trek.

Expect around 5 hours of hiking.

Please note, the tour may be canceled due to unfavorable weather conditions. For safety reasons, the route to 3000 meters may be adjusted based on volcanic activity.

Location
Monte Gebel Di Mariangela Carbonaro
The meeting point is at "Bar Monte Gebel". On the right side of "Rifugio Sapienza", Nicolosi, Etna Sud (Catania). Departure at 9 am.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.7
(36 Ratings)
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Navigator00607267522
Aug 2, 2024
The best experience ever!!!!!! - THE BEST excursion ever. The driver from Catania to Etna is kind, communicative, nice.A group leader full of understanding, knowledge and experience. If I could, I would go with the same company again. I suggest everyone to go on the Etna adventure, because they will certainly not go wrong. I am very satisfied. Beautiful view, new acquaintances and learned a lot about the past of the most famous active volcano in Europe. I strong recommend this tour. Valentina
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Holly_clark
Jul 24, 2024
Best way to experience Etna - This trip was incredible, demanding, and definitely not for the faint-hearted. The hike from the cable car to the summit is mesmerizing, with fascinating rock formations, the rumbling sounds of Etna, and our brilliant guide Edoardo sharing the volcano's rich history. A big shout out to our driver, Seb! Traveler tip: You can rent walking boots, sticks, and windproof jackets for €6 each before ascending Etna. Bring a packed lunch or buy delicious sandwiches and pastries at the meeting bar before your climb. Long socks are essential; if you don't have them, you can purchase a pair for €3.50. Ensure you have an intermediate fitness level to manage the climb, or consider the alternative tour that includes a bus ride to skip the hike. Take a jumper as it can get chilly at the top, though shorts are fine. Special thanks to the tour company for rescheduling our original booking without any hassle due to high volcanic activity on Etna. We traveled to Sicily specifically for this experience, and their flexibility made it possible. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z3162kwarnaudc
Jul 15, 2024
An excellent experience in every way! - Great experience in a phenomenal natural environment. The roars heard dozens of times throughout the hike are impressive. Antonio, our Special Guide for the French Group, has been distilling all his knowledge and knowledge for several decades to walk the paths to the summits of Mount Etna, making breaks during the climb particularly interesting. A big thank you to him! Elevation gain and hiking are accessible for many people who are not completely out of shape, thanks to the pace set by Antonio and the many photo breaks and explanations, smoothing the course that could otherwise be a little trying. Special mention also to Bruna, our driver for the Pension Pickup option for his good humor, his very good French and the discussions that made the trip much shorter! Everything was perfect today. And surprised in the evening, while walking the streets of Catania, we were able to discover a new eruption in progress, barely 5/6 hours after we left ETNA. Seeing this show knowing that we were close a few hours before, gives an even more special flavor to this experience. To do without hesitation and indispensable if you come to Sicily on the side of Catania! Unforgettable memories!😍
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Danyt698
Jul 15, 2024
At the summit of Etna - Thanks to Brusbrusmeraldo. Punctuality, genrileness and efficiency. Everything was perfect. Very good organization. Thanks for everything
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rhysj469
Jun 26, 2024
An outstanding day! - An amazing day! Absolutely stunning views and such an interesting tour of Etna! The Sicilying team are so lovely! Our driver Peppe was so friendly and welcoming, even offering us advice on where else to explore in Catania. And our guide Emiliano was so kind, and very accommodating when we were nervous of the climb. Would recommend to everyone interested in volcanoes or geology, as it is a fascinating tour! Thank you so much to the Sicilying team for such a wonderful day!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ro88i
Jun 15, 2024
Amazing and memorable! - One of the best hikes I've done! Mt Etna is an absolutel marvel. The tour company and guide were fantastic, had a really great time.
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Y4109klandya
Jun 9, 2024
Awesome excursion - Had a wonderful experience, with first our driver that picked us up, Bruna, whom had a really positive energy and was fun to speak with. Then, on the Etna excursion, we had Fabrizzio as out guide that lead us up and spoke of the different eruptions and how devastating they were, and also how you could differentiate the different soils on and around the volcano. It was an awesome experience, and I really recommend this excursion to everyone.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Resort683934
Jun 7, 2024
Mount Etna Hike - Great trip. Pick-up was flexible, guide was knowledgeable, and everyone in the team was friendly and helpful. Good Comms too. Recommended
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351matto
Jun 4, 2024
Best Etna tour with good Guides. - What an epic day. Well informed Picked up from the hotel then the drive to the cable car at Etna. After a short briefing and safety equipment given we were on our way. Knowledgeable guides the whole way up and down with an extra crater on the way down.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
706regined
Jun 25, 2024
Etna, solo and bus ride - Sumptuous and magical site but once reached the cable car urging (50€ round trip) no signage (crater names, altitude, weather), everything is done to be forced to take these 4×4 pollutants and lifting tons of dust, at 28€ per person! Apart from some expensive and basic offers offered in Catania by tour operators, we called vulcanologist guides, no return! The only 8h15 bus from Catania to Sapienza makes us waste 25 minutes in Nicolosi to have 1 coffee! The detritus accumulated in the lava around Sapienza is deplorable, at least things would be to preserve this site. I'm not talking about the butts left by unscrupulous hikers. But we do not regret this beautiful day, we just want to improve future visits.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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