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Guides to hiking Mount Etna

Practical, up-to-date guides for your day on the volcano: how hard the hike is, where you may walk without a guide, the cable car and parking, the tours compared, safety and eruptions, and how to get there from Catania or Taormina.

How Hard Is the Etna Hike 2026: Times, Altitude & FitnessWalking times, altitude and fitness for every way up.Read the guide →Hike Etna Without a Guide 2026: Where You May Walk AloneWhere you may walk alone, the limits and the best trails.Read the guide →Etna Cable Car 2026: Is It Worth It, Parking & OptionsWhat the Funivia gives you, the 4x4 combo and parking.Read the guide →Etna Tours Compared 2026: Summit, 3,000 m or Crater WalkEleven Etna tours side by side: height, lifts, pickup, rating.Read the guide →Is It Safe to Hike Etna 2026: Risks, Closures & LavaMonitoring, closures, lava, gas, weather and the airport.Read the guide →Getting to Etna from Catania 2026: Car, Bus & PickupBy car, by the daily bus or with pickup, south or north side.Read the guide →

Tours

Popular Etna hikes

Booked on GetYourGuide, with the refund terms shown on every option.

Etna Trek to 3,000 m with Cable Car and 4x4 Moderate ★ 4.65 hours4,691 reviews

Etna Trek to 3,000 m with Cable Car and 4x4
3 h walkingBoots lentValle del Bove

Cable car and 4x4 to 2,800 m, then three hours on foot to the Barbagallo craters and a 2002 vent. Boots, jacket and helmet are lent; the lift ticket is paid in cash.

What's included
  • An alpine or volcanological guide
  • Boots, socks, helmet, jacket and backpack lent
  • Barbagallo craters near 2,900 m and a 2002 vent
  • Descent on volcanic sand above the Valle del Bove
  • Cable car and 4x4 ticket paid on site, not included
  • Full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead
Rated4.64,691 reviews Check dates
Etna Guided Summit Hike up to 3,400 m Most booked ★ 4.75 hours6,028 reviews

Etna Guided Summit Hike up to 3,400 m
Volcano guideHelmetPickup option

Cable car to 2,500 m, then on foot with a volcanological guide: the 3,000 m craters, or the summit area when the volcano allows. The lift ticket is paid on the day.

What's included
  • A certified volcanological guide
  • Choose the 3,000 m trek or the summit trek
  • Helmet, insurance and hiking gear if available
  • Optional pickup from Catania
  • Cable car (and 4x4) ticket paid on site, not included
  • Full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead
Rated4.76,028 reviews Check dates
Etna Trek Beyond the Tourist Trails Off the beaten path ★ 4.97 hours1,819 reviews

Etna Trek Beyond the Tourist Trails
No cable carNaturalistLava cave

A real hike with no lifts: about 550 m of climbing from 1,850 m past the Silvestri craters and the 2001 lava flow. Shoes, poles and jackets are lent; minimum two people.

What's included
  • A naturalist guide and transfer from Catania
  • About 550 m of ascent, up to roughly 2,400 m
  • The Silvestri craters and the 2001 lava flow
  • A lava cave when the volcano is quiet
  • Boots, poles, warm and rain jackets lent
  • Full refund if you cancel up to 24 hours ahead
Rated4.91,819 reviews Check dates

Book your spot before you go

Cable car to 2,500 m, then on foot with a volcanological guide to 3,000 m or the summit area. Rated 4.7 from 6,028 reviews.

Check dates for the guided summit hike