Mount Etna hiking tour from Taormina: Lava cave and wine tasting

Trace glowing lava paths, explore a hidden cave, then toast with Sicilian wine

A full-day hiking tour from Taormina that takes you onto Mount Etna's slopes, into a lava cave, and to the Alcantara Gorges, with an expert naturalistic guide, lunch with wine pairing, and all hiking equipment provided. The tour runs about nine hours and includes hotel pickup; tours in French or Spanish can be arranged with advance notice.

Step-by-step itinerary

Mount Etna and Alcantara Gorges tour

• Start tour from Taormina
• Hike on Mount Etna
• Visit lava cave
• Enjoy typical Sicilian lunch and wine tasting
• Visit Alcantara Gorges viewpoint

The Experience

The day starts with pickup from your hotel or a meeting point in Taormina and heads toward Mount Etna's volcanic landscape. Once on the mountain, you hike the slopes with an expert naturalistic guide who explains the geology and history as you move through the terrain. Hiking boots, helmets and torches are provided, so you arrive ready to walk.

The hike leads you into a lava cave—a hollow carved by ancient lava flows—where you descend with your torch to see the rock formations up close. After the cave, the group gathers for a typical Sicilian lunch with wine pairing, eaten on the mountain itself. The meal includes vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options if you request them when booking.

In the afternoon, the tour moves to the Alcantara Gorges, where you view the dramatic canyon from a panoramic vantage point. The gorges are a separate landscape from Etna—a river-carved ravine with steep walls and a different kind of geology. You return to Taormina by late afternoon, completing the full circuit of the region's volcanic and water-carved landmarks in a single day.

What’s included

• Hotel or meeting-point pickup and drop-off in Taormina.
• expert naturalistic guide throughout the day.
• hiking boots, helmets and torches.
• lunch with wine pairing.
• insurance.
• vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free meal options on request.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditions

Operated by Etna People s.n.c.

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to hike an active volcano and see its geology from inside a lava cave in the same day—the guide's expertise and the provided equipment mean you're not managing the mountain alone or figuring out the route yourself. The nine-hour structure packs three distinct landscapes (Etna's slopes, the cave, the gorges) into one outing, so you're not splitting the day between separate trips.

Traveler reviews

4.87★★★★★★★★★★

482 verified traveler reviews

5 ★436

4 ★32

3 ★11

2 ★1

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What's the hike on Mount Etna actually like—how steep is it?

The hike covers Etna's volcanic slopes with a naturalistic guide leading the way; you'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness to manage the terrain and the altitude, which is why the tour provides hiking boots and helmets to keep you stable on the uneven ground.

Do I need to bring my own hiking boots, or are they included?

Hiking boots are included in the tour—just let the operator know your shoe size when you book so they have the right fit ready for you on the day.

What exactly is the lava cave, and how far down do you go?

The lava cave is a hollow formed by ancient lava flows running through the rock; you descend into it with a torch provided by the tour to see the formations, then return to ground level before heading to lunch.

Is the Alcantara Gorges visit a hike, or do you just look at it?

The Alcantara Gorges are visited from a panoramic viewpoint, so you see the canyon and its river-carved walls from above rather than descending into them—it's a separate stop after the Etna portion of the day.

Can I do this tour if I'm pregnant or have heart concerns?

The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers after the fourth month or for anyone with heart disease or serious medical conditions; the combination of altitude, hiking and physical exertion makes it unsuitable for those situations.

What languages does the guide speak?

The guide leads tours in English and Italian as standard; French and Spanish tours can be arranged if you request them with adequate notice when booking.