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Easy excursion for families with children
Your guide takes you on an excursion to the craters and takes you into a lava tunnel, to understand how the Etna volcano works.
The excursion to the north side of Etna, in the area of the Sartorius craters, is perfect for visiting Etna with children.
Free for children under 12 (with the exception of the package with the night at the Citelli Hut and with the NCC service).
- Free excursion for children under 12 (with the exception of the package with the night at the Citelli Refuge and with the NCC service).
- Group of up to 12 people.
- Hike with our guide to a series of 8 craters in line.
- Visit a lava tunnel.
- View of Etna on the north side, the Ionian sea, the coast from Riposto to Naxos and Calabria.
North Etna Excursion
It's an easy excursion, which guarantees you a half day of adventure on Etna. This excursion is also suitable for non-sports enthusiasts who wish to have an exciting and educational excursion on Etna. The route is chosen with care and above all away from the crowds between ancient craters and a visit to a lava cave.
The excursion takes place on the north side in the protected area of the Etna Park. Trail or hiking shoes are sufficient for this easy hike. The half-day visit of Etna is easy and accessible to everyone, adults and children (aged 4 and up). The group consists of a maximum of 12 people, accompanied by a guide. This is an excursion designed for travelers who love nature and easy hiking.
Our excursion starts early in the morning (at 8 am), to allow you to fully appreciate the beauty and majesty of the Etna volcano. This visit to the north side is perfect for understanding how the Etna volcano works. You will discover that there is not only the top of the volcano to visit. Our route passes through fascinating places: you will see ancient craters, lava flows from different eras and a lava tunnel.
Volcanological guide for visiting Etna
Your expert guide will take you to the largest active volcano in Europe. On the northern side we find the largest birch forest of Etna. It is interesting to note the contrast between the white of the birch bark and the black of the volcanic ash. To understand how lava is produced and progresses, an excursion is planned on the lava flows of the 1865 eruption to reach the 8 Sartorius craters. The excursion of about 4 km takes place on the Sartorius craters, which are a set of several eruptive vents in a line, at about 1600 meters above sea level. You will be immersed in large volcanic landscapes, with a superb view of the Etna volcano and the Mediterranean.
Etna lava tunnel
During the excursion you will visit a lava tunnel of about 20 meters in length, equipped with helmets and torches. A lava tube is formed by a flow that has cooled to the surface thus forming a solid crust. When the flow ceases to be fed, it empties and leaves a tunnel-like cavity. Equipment provided free of charge: helmet, flashlight, sticks, rucksack and raincoat. Trekking boots are mandatory to participate in the excursions on Etna.
If you don't have them, you need to get or rent them. The price for the rental of trekking shoes is €5 per pair with Etna3340. Tell me your sizes (women and men) no later than 24 hours before the excursion. Your guide will bring your shoes to you on the day of the hike. Equipment required but not included. Mid-calf gaiters or socks (to limit volcanic sand in shoes). Trekking pants, sweater/fleece, warm waterproof windproof jacket with hood, gloves, hat, cap to protect your head from the sun, sunscreen, sunglasses. Plan ahead for a picnic and water (1.5 liters per person).
- 4 km walk. Maximum altitude 1741m. Positive height difference: 100 m. Negative height difference: 100 m. Difficulty: easy.
- Walking time: about 3 hours. 20 m lava tunnel. Approximately 30 minute visit.
- The Citelli refuge has free parking and is located at the starting point of the excursion. It was renovated in 2012 and has 4 single rooms for 2 to 4 people (for a total of 13 seats), a dining room for 35 guests and a small bar.
- The rooms have always clean sheets and blankets, it is not necessary to bring a sheet and a sleeping bag.
- In the corridor, in front of the bedrooms, the four bathrooms are shared between the guests: 2 for women and 2 for men, both with always hot showers.
