Winter trek on Mount Etna and in the Valle del Bove
Highlights
- Walk along the southern wall of the Valle del Bove, Etna’s horseshoe-shaped caldera
- Admire the South-East Crater and the summit craters, with views stretching all the way to the Ionian Sea
- Put on your snowshoes and trek across the snow-covered lava fields when winter blankets the volcano in white
Your guide
Activity available in
Why Freedome
Free of charge cancellation
Okay we'll reimburse you, but you don't know what you're missing
Best price guaranteed
The same as the guide: we do not charge fees
Assistance 7 days a week
Contact us anytime. We do not do ghosting
Full description
If you love contrasts, you’ll love this hike.
Join a winter trek on Mount Etna, where the black of the lava flows meets the whiteness of the snow: Accompanied by a volcanological guide, you’ll follow a circular route that takes you to the edge of the Valle del Bove and amongst the summit craters of Europe’s highest active volcano.
A 4-hour experience, which could even turn into a snowshoe hike!
What we will do
We’ll meet at 09: 30 at the meeting point in Belpasso (CT). We’ll be welcomed by the guide who will accompany us throughout the trek on Mount Etna.
We’ll set off from an altitude of 1, 850 metres, near the Rifugio Sapienza, and climb up volcanic slopes and scree, passing through a black larch forest and rich endemic flora, such as soapwort and the Etna violet, with the Ionian coast always in view.
The view will then open up onto the active summit craters, with the South-East Crater in the foreground, the site of intense paroxysmal eruptions between 2021 and 2022.
The route will continue along the southern wall of the Valle del Bove, a huge horseshoe-shaped caldera 10 km long and 5 km wide. After a stop to take in the views, we’ll head west to the 2001 eruptive fracture, at an altitude of 2, 100 metres, to reach the Upper Silvestri Craters before returning to the starting point.
Depending on snow cover and weather conditions, the route may be adapted for snowshoeing: snowshoes and poles will be provided on site.
The excursion will last approximately 4 hours in total.
Who it is aimed at
This activity is easy and suitable for everyone except those with heart conditions, asthma, high blood pressure or mobility issues.
Other information
The experience takes place from December to March.
The itinerary may vary depending on weather conditions, at the organiser’s discretion.
A return transfer service from Catania is available on request: please contact the organiser after your booking has been confirmed for further information.
Free parking is available on site.
Recommended clothing
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Gloves and a hat
Don't forget to bring
- Rucksack
- Water bottle
- Snacks
What is included
How it works
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1
Send a booking request
We will only pre-authorise the payment
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2
Receive confirmation within 48 hours
In case of confirmation, you will be charged the cost of the activity
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3
Live your experience
Enjoy the activity and let us know how it was!
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1
Buy a gift voucher
Valid for 12 months from the date of issue. You will receive it by email, in pdf format.
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2
Choose your preferred date
Contact the guide at the contact details on the voucher and arrange a day for the activity.
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3
Live your experience
Enjoy the activity and let us know how it was!
Meeting point
Belpasso, Catania
Frequently asked questions
What happens in case of bad weather?
If you have made a fixed date reservation and the weather conditions are not suitable for carrying out the activity safely (according to the expert opinion of the guide), you will be refunded the full amount paid. The guide may suggest an alternative date or time for the activity. You are free to choose whether or not to accept these suggestions. If you are unable to reschedule, we will proceed with a full refund! If you have set the date of your Gift Voucher and bad weather has prevented the activity from taking place, the Voucher remains valid until the expiry date indicated on it.
If I cancel the reservation, can I get a full refund?
For this activity, the cancellation policy is last minute. You get a full refund if you cancel within 24 hours from the activity start. You can find the full policies in the Cancellation Policy section.
What payment methods do you accept?
On Freedome, you can pay with any rechargeable credit card or prepaid card (including Postepay) from Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diners Club, JCB networks. We also accept debit cards enabled for online payments. You can also use the digital wallets Apple Pay and Google Pay.
