• Piano Provenzana - Accessible by personal vehicle, Piano Provenzana is the northern tourist hub of Mount Etna. It is less crowded and offers a more genuine experience than the southern side, with a natural landscape where lush forests meet stark lava flows from recent eruptions, creating a dramatic contrast along the access road.

Situated at 1,800 meters above sea level, visitors will find small souvenir shops, cafés, restrooms, and the starting point for authorized 4×4 vehicles. Parking is available in designated blue-striped areas. From this point, further exploration is only possible with licensed guides using park- and municipality-approved vehicles. Piano Provenzana also serves as a winter ski resort.

This area is part of the lava field from the October 27, 2002 eruption, which destroyed previous tourist amenities such as restaurants, hotels, ski lifts, and trails.

As the gateway to Etna’s untamed north side, it provides a more genuine, natural interaction with the volcano, with excursions ascending from 1,800 meters to approximately 2,860 meters at the Etna Nord Volcanological Observatory.

• Itinerario Crateri Sommitali - The tour begins on the scenic road ascending Etna’s north slope towards the upper volcano, accessible solely by authorized 4×4 vehicles. Meet the guide at Piano Provenzana (1,800 meters) for a brief orientation before setting off.

The journey traverses Etna’s forests and the expansive lava fields from the October 27, 2002 eruption, where remnants of the old tourist station, including a partially buried hotel roof, are still visible. The guide provides insights into the volcano’s history and answers questions along the way.

The route passes craters over 40 meters deep, eruptive fractures, and extensive summit-lava flows. Resilient pioneer plants begin to colonize the new rock, while INGV monitoring stations are scattered across the stark, lunar-like landscape.

The tour concludes at Piano delle Concazze (2,860 meters) near the Etna Nord Volcanological Observatory, offering views that, on clear days, extend from Catania to Syracuse, across the Nebrodi and Peloritani Mountains, the Madonie, the Aeolian Islands, and even Calabria, beneath the ever-steaming summit craters.

• Mount Etna - Explore the wild, less-touristic north side of Mount Etna, Europe’s tallest active volcano, on a route once reserved for researchers and now guided by certified volcanologists. From Piano Provenzana (1,800 meters)—accessible by paved road—board authorized 4×4 vehicles to ascend the panoramic north road, traversing forests and the lava fields from the October 27, 2002 eruption, passing remnants of the old tourist station and a partially buried hotel roof. Vehicles ascend to about 3,000 meters, the highest point allowed when the summit is closed, with active craters fuming above. The hike covers approximately 7 kilometers, requiring good physical fitness. Traverse a stark plateau of fresh lava and ash, visiting craters from 2002, 1911, 1923, 1874, 1879, 1809, 1646, 1614, 1624, the dramatic north-flank fault, ancient lava tubes, and pioneer plants. Views extend to the Aeolian Islands, Nebrodi, Peloritani, Madonie, Calabria, and Sicily’s east coast from Catania to Syracuse, before descending through sandy channels and forests back to Piano Provenzana.
• Piano Provenzana - Piano Provenzana, located on Mount Etna’s north side, is easily accessible by private or rental car via fully paved public roads.
  Surrounded by pine forests and dramatic lava fields, the area was transformed by the October 2002 eruption, which destroyed the original facilities and left a striking volcanic landscape of historical significance.
  Visitors will find souvenir shops, cafés, and bars for breakfast, lunch, or coffee, as well as places to refill water bottles. In winter, it functions as a ski resort; in summer, it becomes the starting point for guided hikes and excursions.
  Blue-lined parking areas accommodate cars and camper vans. If a tour is booked, meet the volcanological guide directly at the on-site meeting points.
  Less crowded than other Etna stations, Piano Provenzana offers a peaceful, authentic way to experience Europe’s highest active volcano.

• Entry/Admission to Mount Etna
• Licensed Volcanological Guide
• Trekking gear provided including poles, shoes, and helmets
• Warm clothing provided, including extra socks and jackets
• Complimentary extra backpack
• Accident insurance

• windbreaker
• Parking ticket (3€ for the whole day)
• (50€ per person to be paid on the spot) for vehicles 4x4 from 1800m. at 2800m. from 2800m. at 2500m.
• Transport service from your accommodation

The path provides a remarkable alternative to the leading craters and is one of the volcano’s comprehensive and intriguing adventures, ideal for those wanting to traverse through craters, ground crevices, lava rivers, and distinct volcanic feed conduits, where the molten magma once surged. The trek with a keen volcanological appeal involves an upward journey on dedicated 4x4 vehicles from 1800-meter to 2800-meter altitude (making a total of 8 km route), guided by a volcanological expert initiating onboard elucidations. The expedition includes visiting the Etna’s north side chasm or (Rift), stepping into an impeccably preserved volcanic cone’s shaft wearing safety helmets, exploring the apertures responsible for generating the lava streams. The voyage continues along the rim of vast craters, through downhills made of volcanic ash, visiting craters from countless ancillary blasts.

• This type of itinerary, in relation to the type, is suited to people in good physical health, not suffering from particular disease (it is strongly discouraged to those who suffer from cardio-vascular problems, breathing problems or hypertension).
• The route consists of the ascent and the walking along the crater edges, this may cause dizziness to susceptible individuals.
• The excursion requires a good preparation on a physical level. Because of it results to be a high height path, it would be easy to experience symptoms of fatigue.
• Trekking is not recommended for those who does not do physical activity regularly.
• For the success of the excursion and for its correct carrying out, it’s good to know perfectly your health conditions and, if necessary, let the Guides know about them, in order to reduce the occurrence of any problem and to avoid any risks.
• It is required also to be careful, since it is volcanic soil, often inconsistent and unstable.
• The route is also suited for children over 6 years old.
• We recommend not to use contact lens, because of the exhaled volcanic gases and of ash. This last one could easily cause problems, if pushed.

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