Etna Summit Craters Trek: Cable Car, 4x4 & Guided Hike

Summary

Walk volcanic ash trails to Etna’s summit craters with local guides

You’ll climb Mt. Etna by cable car and 4x4 before hiking across volcanic ash to peer into its active summit craters with a local guide. Smell sulfur in the air, feel heat under your boots, and gaze out over Sicily from above the clouds—ending with an exhilarating descent through Valle del Bove.

What’s the experience like?

We jolted up the side of Mt. Etna in a 4x4 minibus after the cable car — I could still taste the morning coffee, but now it mixed with that dry, mineral smell you only get near volcanoes. Our guide, Salvo, kept cracking jokes about Sicilian mothers and how they’d never let us out dressed like this (helmet, jacket, boots — all included). The wind picked up as we stepped off at Torre del Filosofo, 2900 meters up, and honestly my ears popped a little.

The walk to the central crater took about an hour and a half uphill. It’s not exactly easy — loose black ash underfoot, sun bouncing off everything — but there’s this weird silence except for crunching boots and the occasional hiss from vents nearby. Salvo pointed out Bocca Nuova crater (“opened in ‘68 — older than me!”) and I tried to imagine what it sounded like erupting. Sometimes you catch a whiff of sulfur; not pleasant but kind of thrilling. I fumbled with my water bottle and nearly lost it down the slope (caught it though).

We skirted around Bocca Nuova’s rim — steam rising in slow breaths — then climbed again to North East Crater. That last bit is steep but short. At the top (3329m), everyone just went quiet for a second. You can see so far on a clear day: all of Sicily sprawled below and even the Aeolian Islands if you’re lucky. I didn’t expect to feel so small or so wired at the same time.

The way down is wild — sliding through soft ash toward Valle del Bove’s huge caldera. My socks were full of grit by then and someone behind me was laughing about “volcano souvenirs.” We ended back at the cable car station, legs burning but sort of giddy from it all. Still thinking about that view whenever I see black sand now.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Climb to Etna summit craters

• Take cable car and 4x4 minibus to 2900m
• Hike 1.5 hours uphill to central crater edge
• Observe Bocca Nuova crater
• Walk around Bocca Nuova to Voragine crater
• Climb steeply to North East Crater summit
• Enjoy 360° views including Aeolian Islands
• Descend through Valle del Bove volcanic amphitheater
• Return to cable car station at 2500m

Top questions

How do you reach Etna’s summit craters?

You take a cable car and 4x4 minibus up to 2900m at Torre del Filosofo, then hike about 1.5 hours uphill to reach the summit craters.

Is equipment provided for the Etna trek?

Yes, trekking boots, jacket, helmet, and other necessary equipment are included in the price.

Are cable car and jeep tickets included?

No, round-trip tickets for the cable car and jeep up to 2900m are not included in the tour price.

How challenging is the hike on this day trip?

The hike is moderately challenging with loose volcanic ash underfoot; travelers should have at least moderate fitness.

What altitude do you reach on this tour?

You reach up to about 3329 meters at North East Crater on Mt. Etna.

Can you see other landmarks from Etna’s summit?

If weather allows, you may see all of Sicily below and even the Aeolian Islands to the north.

Is this tour suitable for people with health issues?

This trek is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries, asthma problems or poor cardiovascular health.

What is Valle del Bove?

Valle del Bove is an enormous volcanic amphitheater (caldera) that you descend through on your way back down from Etna’s summit.

What’s included

Your day includes a guided trek up Mt. Etna’s summit craters with equipment like trekking boots, jacket, helmet provided for comfort and safety; transport by cable car and 4x4 minibus up to Torre del Filosofo is available for an extra fee before your hike begins.