With 3340 m is the Etna (Italian: Etna or Mongibello, Sicilian: u montagnu) the largest active volcano in Europe. It's in the east Sicily between Catania and Messina and near the city Taormina.
 Mount Etna from the north, from Taormina seen from | ||
| Etna | ||
| region | Catania (CT) | |
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no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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background
The Etna dominates the (north) east of Sicily as a mountain range. On the one hand, agriculture developed on the fertile slopes, which is based on the cultivation of citrus fruits, chestnuts and pistachios and provided the people with a livelihood; on the other hand, the eruptions of Mount Etna repeatedly led to enormous destruction and claimed human lives. In addition to volcanism, earthquakes also threaten the region.
The Etna region, which is connected to the Parco del Etna has been declared a protected area is a Hiking area also for Central Europeans and a Winter sports area especially for the residents of southern Italy and Sicily.
Etna eruptions have already been described in antiquity. Mention should be made of the eruption of 1614 with voluminous outflow of the lava to the south and the eruption of 1669, in which the lava flowed around Catania in the west and just before Ursino Castle came to a stop.
In the 1971 eruption, the Rifugio Sapienza and the old Etna cable car were destroyed, in 1981 there was an eruption in the north with a lava flow that was scarce Randazzo came to a standstill and attachments of the Ferrovia Circumetna destroyed. In 1991/93 there was a very long eruption with a lava flow Valle del Bove the just ahead Zaffaranea Etnea could be brought to a standstill.
Arrival by plane
The closest airport to Etna is that aeroporto in Catania.
Mountain station south ("Rifugio Sapienza")
The 1 Rifugio Sapienza is the most frequented mountain station on Etna, contrary to the name it is not a simple refuge but a tourist center around the valley station of the cable car Funivia dell 'Etna with restaurants, a number of souvenir shops and extensive parking facilities.
getting there
You can get to the motorway by private vehicle or coach 
Messina - Catania, 
Gravina about the 
by Gravina and Nicolosi on the paved mountain road 
at an altitude of 1900 m. Brown street signs with the words "Etna" or "Etna-Sud" show the way. Already from Rifugio Sapienza you have a beautiful view.
Those who want to go further can do this 6-person small cabin liftFunivia dell'Etna Use to the mountain station "La Montagnola" at 2504 m. The cable car operates in the summer months from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. (price ascent and descent: 30 €, as of 06-2017, Side of the cable car - also in German). Those who like to hike can also run up the ski slope parallel to the cable car in summer.
From the mountain station of the cable car, an all-terrain bus and a mountain guide take you to just below the crater rim at around 2900 m (travel time 20 minutes). The off-road bus tours are offered between March and November. The combined tour (cable car / off-road bus) costs 63 € (as of 2017). You don't need hiking boots for the bus tour. Warm clothes and sturdy shoes are sufficient.
Depending on the activity of the volcano, it must be expected that access may be restricted by the authorities. In this case, the operation of the cable car and / or cross-country buses will be discontinued. This is possible at any time, even in stormy weather. Currently (June 2017) you are no longer allowed to hike alone from an altitude of 2700 m.
Tourist Attractions
- Monti Silvestri inferiori: The extinct volcanic cone, located to the south of the parking lots, can be climbed in a short walk without any problems.
- 2 Monti Silvestri superiori: The volcanic cone rising on the north side of the road can also be climbed on the west flank via a somewhat slippery, steeply sloping path through scree and can be circled from the north side on the crater edge. At least light trekking shoes do a good job here.
Mountain station north ("Piano Provenzana")
On the north side of Mount Etna, winding, paved mountain roads lead to an altitude of approx. 1800 m 3 Piano Provenzana. The access is either from Linguaglossa from or from Giarre via Fornazzo.
From the north mountain station, all-terrain buses continue to the volcanological observatory. This is at an altitude of approx. 2800 m.
If the activity permits, the summit craters can be explored with a mountain guide. To Mountain guide page the mountain station north (in German).
security
If you want to hike on Etna, you should definitely have mountain hiking equipment (ankle-high hiking boots, telescopic sticks, rain and wind protection, enough drinking water).
The greatest danger is sudden changes in the weather (danger of thick fog, storms and snowfall, or lightning strikes in open terrain). Before going on a hike, you should definitely find out about the weather. Orientation on the mountain without clear visibility is extremely difficult, as one cannot rely on the presence of path markings. Maps are often of no help either, as the landscape can change within months or a few years.
Tourist Attractions
- Etna volcanic landscapewhich is protected by a natural park; see also on the Italian-speaking side of the park
- view Towards the Mediterranean and across Sicily
- Volcanic Museum over the Etna in Nicolosi
activities
- Winter sports at the south mountain station - The facilities (cable car and lifts) are in operation in the winter months (January / February, sometimes a little longer) between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
- Winter sports at the north mountain station - The Etna Nord / Linguaglossa facilities, consisting of a chairlift from Piano Provenzano and three ski lifts, are in operation from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- hikes - on the western flank of Mount Etna, approx. 7.5 km southeast of Bronte around Monte Ruvolo and Monte Minardo, over the lava flows and through the oak forests of the "Piano della Ginestra" plateau
shop
- In the numerous souvenir shops on Rifugio Sapienza souvenirs of all kinds made of lava stone, jewelry etc. are available.
- Also on that Piano Provenzana there are some souvenir shops, a small pub and the ski school restaurant.
kitchen
nightlife
accommodation
- Hotel Rifugio Sapienza - also English side. The hotel is located directly at the south mountain station at approx. 1900 m altitude. An overnight stay with breakfast costs around 75 euros per person (04-2020)
- Hotel "Corsaro"
health
Practical advice
trips
- Circumnavigation of Etna with the Narrow gauge railway from Catania or Giarre
- Etna excursions summit craters of the Etna volcano Etna mountain guide
literature
Web links
- Side of the cable car at the mountain station south (also in German)
- Webcams on Mount Etna of the Vulcan Institute (Italian language site). The cameras are aimed at the craters.
- www.vulkan-etna-update.de - German-language protocol page on the activity of Mount Etna. The ad-free private page also contains travel advice to the mountain.
- Webcams on Mount Etna Cameras with a view of Mount Etna
