Ascent of the summit area of ​​Etna with full moon

Night excursion as in the times of the Grand Tour. The excursion to reach the summit area, which takes place partly at night, makes this trek an unusual and particularly exciting experience. You will see the sun set, the shadow of Etna projected on the Ionian Sea. The excursion takes place at night, in the light of the full moon, in the volcanic desert. The sun rises from the Ionian Sea and gradually illuminates the Etna volcano starting from its summit.

The Etna volcano will make you enjoy its steep slopes, adorned with huge craters and evidence of the ancient Cyclops. Admirers of volcanoes, your erudite genius will be satisfied when you observe Sicily all spread out at your feet from the summit area of ​​Etna. This great adventurous excursion, partly by night, is the reference for experiencing the true exploration experience of the Etna volcano as in the days of the Grand Tour, from the end of the Middle Ages to the 18th century. Etna awaits the curious inquirers of nature, to closely admire the powerful effects of its wonderful volcanic phenomena according to the ancient route.

Ascent to the summit of Etna at night

Night excursion to the summit of the Etna volcano, as in the times of the Grand Tour of Sicily. Sicily was, from the 15th to the 19th century, an exclusive and essential destination for the adventurous journeys of young aristocrats, men of letters and artists from all over Europe. Traveling to Sicily at the time had an irresistible flavor of adventure, since the difficulties of the journey and the risks to one's safety were an obstacle to discovering the beauty of the island, the majesty of the ancient monuments and volcanic nature.

The great adventure of climbing to the top of Etna at night was a real challenge due to the difficulty of the route, the volcanic dangers and the bandits present in the wooded area at the time. The Grand Tour in Sicily included, among other things, a visit to the main cities such as: Messina, Taormina, Catania, Syracuse, Agrigento, Selinunte, Monreale, Palermo, Cefalù, as well as the ascent of Etna.

The Etna volcano represented an almost obligatory (but difficult and ambitious) destination for those arriving in Sicily. The ascent to the summit area of ​​Etna that we propose here takes place according to the "Mōs Maiōrum", (literally "custom of the ancestors"), which designates the way to visit the Sicilian volcano according to ancestral values. This special excursion is an unusual challenge and represents the ancestral tradition of the real visit to Etna, by night in the manner of the ancients. At the time, the visit to the Etna volcano began from the birthplace of Etna: the volcanic cliffs of Acitrezza (place of the legend of the Cyclops) and with a visit to the medieval castle of Aci Castello (at the foot of the Etna volcano).

The starting point of the ascent was Catania (Palazzo Biscari, Monastero dei Benedettini or Castello Ursino), to reach one of the gates of Etna (Nicolosi) and the wooded area. The afternoon began the adventure towards the top of the volcano to reach the desert volcanic area.

What to expect from this excursion on Etna?

Participants must be able to walk on steep volcanic terrain (a mixture of rocks and volcanic sand). The excursion offers participants a walk in complete silence and with no one around (just you and the Etna volcano). The maximum altitude that can be reached depends on the conditions of the route (snow cover), meteorological conditions (fog, rain, risk of lightning or thunderstorms) and geodynamics of Etna on the day of the excursion.

"Full Moon Nights" special event on the Etna volcano

How does this great adventure of visiting Etna take place? What could be more exciting than watching the sun go down, having dinner on the volcano in front of its peak, then taking a night hike on the craters of Etna under a full moon. At night you can observe the Moon, stars, planets and constellations with a small telescope. The meeting point is at 3.00 pm at La Cantoniera (Etna Sud), near the cable car. We will reach a hot crater of Etna, to see the sun go down.

After dinner we take a hike in the light of the full moon. Returning to base camp to sleep, we wake up before dawn to see the sun rise from the sea. After breakfast, we descend to the foot of the cable car, walking on fine and deep volcanic sand.