This trek is one of those things to do at least once in your lifetime.
Currently, it is a viable alternative to hikes to the summit craters of Mount Etna.
The route winds through lava fields and eruptive fissures, and you can experience the sensation of touching the still-hot lava from the volcano's most recent eruptions.
Along the route, you will be accompanied by volcanology guides who are duly licensed and registered in a specific national register. In compliance with the orders of the local authorities and civil protection, they will take you up to an altitude of 3,000 meters.
Our starting point is at 1,910 meters, in the parking lot in front of the departure station of the Etna Cable Car.
The cable car takes you up to an altitude of 2,500 meters. From there, our trekking adventure begins on foot along a path nestled among the lava flows. Passing through an impressive eruptive fissure, we reach the Barbagallo Crater, which was formed during the 2002 eruption.
Our tour continues on the lava fields lying along the flanks of the Southeast Crater, currently the highest peak of Etna at 3,357 meters, the chasm of the Barbagallo Crater, and on the descent along the return trail, you can admire the immense caldera depression of the Valle del Bove from the Belvedere.
After walking over some fun volcanic sand, we'll take the cable car back to our starting point.