2002 Crater Excursion: A Tranquil Exploration of Etna's Northern Side
4.9
249 Ratings
Città metropolitana di Catania
Embark on a tranquil exploration of Etna's northern side with the 2002 Crater Excursion. Discover the remains of the 2002 eruption, lunar landscapes, and explosive craters in total tranquility. Suitable for all ages.
Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Mount Etna - Beginning of the trek along the dirt road that leads from Piano Provenzana to the summit craters of the volcano, after the first kilometer you cross the eruptive fracture of the eruption of 27 October 2002 on the “Monte Nero - Timpa Rossa” path. visit and study the multiple volcanic morphologies relating to the eruptions that have occurred on the north side of Etna, in particular the flank eruptions of 10 September 1911 and 17 June 1923 which threatened the town of Linguaglossa. After visiting the particular volcanic morpho-structures called Hornitos from the Spanish “Small oven”, we will go up along the pyroclastic cones of the 2002 eruption until reaching the maximum altitude of 2100 meters on the edge of the craters, the route ends with the descent inside a sandy channel to the starting point.

Total height difference uphill: 300 meters (variable value)
Total length of the round trip trek: 4.5 km.

What's Included
  • Accident insurance included.
  • Expert volcanological guide authorized by law.
What's Not Included
  • Bottled water
  • Trekking shoes (to be rented on site at authorized rentals at a cost of € 5 per pair)
  • Hat and gloves (especially in winter, spring and autumn)
  • Parking ticket (€ 3 for the whole day)
  • Snowshoe rental (winter period) at a cost of €15 per person to be paid on the spot (in winter)
  • Trekking poles
  • Pickup service from your accommodation
Additional Information

The 2002 Craters tour is a highly desired and selected destination by travelers on Etna’s northern side, away from the crowded touristy spots. The trip delivers a genuine experience of Etna’s volcanic milieu in full serenity. Guides escort our guests on a walk through the remnants of the tourist facilities ruined by the magma discharges during the major 2002 eruption, passing forests, alien-like terrains, and ultimately to the brims of explosive craters, covering a total distance of slightly over 4.5 km roundtrip.

Equipment (boots + jacket) is available for rental on-site.

Itinerary:
Assembly at Piano Provenzana (North Etna) at 9:45 a.m.
Commencement of journey from Piano Provenzana at an elevation of 1800 meters at 10:00.
Initial orientation.
Trek initiation.
Exploration of the volcanic fractures up to a peak elevation of 2100 meters.
Trekking descent back to the origin.
Entire duration: 3h
Difficulty level: T (Tourist).
Recommended for kids accustomed to walking

  • Trekking is not recommended for those who usually do little motor activity.
  • Without adequate shoes you are not covered by accident insurance.
  • Trekking does not require large preparations on a physical level, it is easy and absent of particularly difficult passages, however attention must be paid when treating volcanic soil, which is often incoherent and unstable.
  • The total duration of the trek will depend on the gait.
  • The route foresees the ascent and the passage along the crater edges, this could cause problems of vertigo to the sensitive subjects.
  • This itinerary, in relation to the type, is suitable for people in a state of good physical health, who do not suffer from particular pathologies (cardio vascular, respiratory or hypertension).
  • The excursion may be changed at the discretion of the Guides or be interrupted should the environmental, atmospheric or volcanic conditions change, such as to compromise the safety of the entire group.
  • To ensure the success of the excursion and the correct performance of the activity, it is good practice to know your health conditions perfectly and to have them present at the Guide, to reduce the occurrence of any problems and avoid risks.
Location
Guide Vulcanologiche Etna Nord
The meeting point is located in the car park near the chairlift active at Eta Nord in winter. The bar is the second house of the 4 in the parking lot. Please note that our meeting point is the "Chiosco Bar Mareneve" not the "Chiosco Bar Etna Nord".
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(249 Ratings)
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C6207himarias
Mar 25, 2024
Once on Etna and back - Great 3 hour tour! Ideal for anyone who wants to get an impression of the volcano without having to go to an altitude of 3000 meters. Great view and lots of interesting facts about Etna. What more do you want? :-)
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Compass68640664122
Feb 29, 2024
Etna inverno - Very professional staff. Made two tours with this association in February 2024, one on the north side, one on the south. Perfetto tutto. Grazie mille!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Kikigazou
Oct 8, 2023
Perfect - Professional very pleasant You’ll get what you’ve payed for An amazing tour around the etna crater
Review provided by Tripadvisor
1jasminep
Sep 19, 2023
Giuseppe was brilliant! - Had a great time, very informative trip and got to see some amazing views of the craters. Would highly recommend. Giuseppe was very knowledgeable and made the trip even more enjoyable.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
102marum
Aug 26, 2023
Unique experience - An amazing landscape and the greatest guide with lots of love for the mountain and many many knowledgeable information. Memorable images and views. A great experience! Looking forward our next trekking going higher uphill to the summit crater. Also they offered the sticks and don’t worry if you don’t have trekking shoes because you can rent all you need on the spot.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Helenrj2852qt
Aug 11, 2023
Recommend for an enjoyable Etna experience - Perfect trip to visit the volcano and learn about Etna. We had a lovely and knowledgeable guide, the walk was spot on for us as a family with kids aged 13yrs and 10yrs old - very manageable and fun on the way down. Would recommend it for those wanting to experience Etna beyond just viewing it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria_d
Jul 10, 2023
Breezy and breathtaking - Guide was great and very informative! The hike was beautiful, and a good workout. Having taller boots would have been helpful for the downhill - or hiking sticks for the lava rock crossing
Review provided by Viator
Karenwm2267ez
Jun 3, 2023
Masterwork Performance by a Master! - Masterwork Performance by a Master! Ding Ding How! On the day our group visited Mount Etna it was pouring buckets of rain. Our guide, Marina Di Gristina, entertained us with historical facts and stories about Mount Etna as the bus slowly wound its way up to the station where we had the option to step into the cafe and have coffee or walk in one of the craters. Marina led the walkers around the Silvestri craters as the rain continued. Those who did the walk returned with smiles and a feeling of having triumphed over the elements. After visiting Mount Etna,Marina led us to a beautiful award winning nearby winery, where we tasted the Etna wines, and enjoyed a sumptuous free lunch. Marina created a highlight memory for us despite the weather! And that’s not all. Marina was our guide for Malta, Gozo, Siracusa, Agrigento, Taormina, Messina, Palermo, Monreale, and Segesta over a two week period. If you want to explore any aspect of the history of Malta and Sicily, its architecture and treasures in depth, Marina is the Best! Our tour group had a Masterwork Performance by a Master! Karen Weiler C.M., O. Ont., LL.D.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Mariondn6083ih
Apr 19, 2023
Great - Very interesting day with Nice guide. Well organized and Great experience. Beautiful walk with family
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Silviabilacchi
Feb 14, 2023
Excellent guide for a solo traveler - I have used their services on a solo trip. Mills was my guide and was excellent! knowledgeable and friendly . I highly reccomend this company. Cannot get anyone more professional than this out there.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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May 2024
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