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Etna Guide Project

From 2,500 metres down to Piano Provenzana, along the eruptive fissures

North-East Rift Trek

4x4 bus ascent to 2,800 m and a walk down the North-East Rift, among Etna's eruptive fissures and extinct craters.

Request a bookingFact sheet
Duration
≈ 5 hours
Difficulty
Price
100 € per personChildren: 90 € (ages 10 to 15)
Departure
8:30
Start altitude
2,500 m
Max altitude
2,800 m

The tour starts from the Piano Provenzana car park, at 1,800 metres, where the group boards the 4x4 vehicles.

On the way up you cross the historic 2002 lava flow, the eruption that reshaped this side of the volcano. Along the route you can see the remains of the old Hotel Le Betulle, now partly swallowed by the lava: a testament to Etna's extraordinary power.

The ascent continues to 2,800 metres, one of Etna's most striking viewpoints. From here you can take in three of the four active summit craters, the imposing Valle del Bove and a panorama stretching along the whole Ionian coast.

After this first stage you board the bus again down to 2,500 metres. This is where the trek towards Piano Provenzana begins: a walk along the North-East Rift, right among Etna's fissures and extinct craters.

Itinerary

  1. 8:30 · 1,800 m

    Meeting at Piano Provenzana

    Meeting with the guide; we set off once the group is complete.

  2. 2,800 m

    Arrival at the volcanological observatory

    Panoramic stop over the summit craters, the Valle del Bove and the Ionian coast.

  3. 2,500 m

    Bus down to 2,500 metres

    The bus takes the group to the point where the trek begins.

  4. Walking down the North-East Rift

    Trekking among the eruptive fissures and extinct craters of the north side.

  5. ≈ 14:00 · 1,800 m

    Arrival at Piano Provenzana

    Back to the starting point. The time depends on the pace of the group.

The guide reserves the right to change, postpone or cancel the tour if weather or volcanic activity endanger participants' safety. If cancelled: refund or reschedule.

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