Hike Mount Etna in Winter
Head to Sicily for a one-of-a-kind weekend, hiking on the snow-clad slopes of Europe's largest active volcano
What's Included?
Activities & Certified Guides
All itinerary activities with expert, English-speaking local guideAccommodation
3 nights in a cosy mountain chalet at Etna Nord, 1 night's hotel in CataniaMeals
4 breakfasts, 3 picnic lunches and 4 dinnersTransfers
Arrival transfer from Catania Airport to Etna Nord, plus transfers throughout the tripEquipment
Snowshoes and polesSmall Like-minded Groups
Solo-friendly by design, join our small n’ sociable groups of up to 12 like-minded, active and outdoorsy people…
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What's it like?
Snowshoe over untouched powder on Mount Etna’s wild northern flank, with majestic views of awe-inspiring craters
Stomp through snow-blanketed forest to explore unique lava formations on one the world’s most iconic volcanoes
Warm up with delicious Sicilian meals and volcanic local wines at your cosy chalet nestled among the forest
Want to peer across Etna's steaming lava fields? If volcanic activity and weather conditions allow, you can opt to hike to the summit craters.
Key Information
Day 1
To Etna Nord: the volcano's wild side
Snowshoeing
At Catania Airport, jump in the transfer bus and get whisked off towards Etna Nord to begin your adventure. This wild and quiet side of the volcano is the perfect spot to avoid the crowds. Your home for the weekend is a cosy, locally-run chalet, located in the endemic Ragabo pine forest at 1500m above sea level – get comfy and enjoy a hot drink, followed by a briefing with your guide. Time allowing, you'll head out on a short hike or snowshoe excursion around the chalet, immersed in the ancient pine forest and a wonderful landscape of snow, extinct craters and ancient lava flows. Tonight you'll enjoy your first Sicilian feast, tasting local seasonal products and typical mountain dishes that will warm your heart and soul. Buon appetito!
Day 2
Lava caves, craters and snow
Snowshoeing
Kickstart your winter hiking and snowshoeing experience on the eastern flank of Etna. Take a short transfer to Rifugio Citelli at 1740m, then set off on a trail through birch forest. Past the forest belt, the path opens up to a small valley where you can observe an interesting lava-formed phenomenon known as the Grotto del Serracozzo, an impressive tunnel formed by lava flow following the 1971 eruption. The route then takes a steep ascent to reach the panoramic viewpoint of the Valle del Bove, at an altitude of 2095m. In the distance it is possible to spot a series of magmatic dykes: lava walls which formed during the ascent of the magma towards the craters. Continue along the ridge of the valley in the direction of the Pizzi Deneri and take in the majestic vista of Monte Frumento delle Concazze, one of the largest secondary craters on Etna. Tuck into a deserved picnic lunch while admiring the breathtaking volcanic landscape, then descend back to Rifugio Citelli for a transfer back to your warm chalet.
Day 3
Pista Altomontana: the ring that embraces Etna
Snowshoeing
Continue your exploration of Europe's largest volcano with a snowshoe or hike along the 'Pista Altomontana' – a circular path that goes around Mount Etna, at an average altitude of 1800m. On today's route you'll cross a dramatic landscape of lava flows and old eruptive fractures, and you'll get a glimpse of old volcanic cones as you approach the Timparossa Refuge. Snow conditions permitting, venture into one of the longest underground lava tunnels on Etna: the 'Grotto of Raspberries'. Continue on until reaching Ragabo Hut and then back to Piano Provenzana, where your transfer awaits. Back at the chalet, enjoy an evening of Sicilian wine tasting and tuck into a final tasty dinner with your group.
Day 4
Hiking on Etna South
Hiking
Driving
After an early breakfast this morning you'll drive for about an hour around the volcano to reach the southern side of Mount Etna, where there is a mid-mountain visitors area at 1800m. From there, your guide will take you along the trails on the southern flanks of the volcano to gain a different perspective – there are plenty of cinder cones and extinct craters across this desolate side of Etna*. Following your hike, have lunch while taking in those fantastic views of Sicily's Ionian coastline one last time. After saying 'ciao' to Etna, you'll be driven back down the mountain and on to Catania, where your trip ends. Check in to your hotel and freshen up, then celebrate your epic volcanic adventure with one last group meal at a local restaurant.
*Subject to favourable weather conditions and volcanic activity, on this day there is the option to climb to the summit area of Mount Etna, guided by a specialist volcano guide. This hike can take 4-5 hours, and includes a cable car journey and a short drive in a 4WD vehicle to ascend from 1800m to 2900m. With the guide, you will hike up 450m to the central craters at 3350m. This option replaces the standard hiking route (described above) included in the itinerary. Due to the requirement for a specialist volcano guide, there is an additional supplement for this option which is payable locally (See Optional Extras for pricing). Please indicate at the time of booking if this is of interest to you; but do note that given the variability of conditions on Mount Etna, it cannot be guaranteed in advance. Your host will reconfirm if it is possible just before/at the start of your trip.
Day 5
Arrivederci, Sicily!
Your winter volcano adventure on Sicily comes to an end this morning after breakfast. If you were lucky, you may have even had the unique chance to observe a live volcanic eruption from a safe distance – a once in a lifetime opportunity!
For those travelling home, Catania Airport is a short taxi ride or public bus journey from the hotel. Alternatively, you can also opt to extend your winter adventure in Sicily with some extra days in Catania or Taormina – it's the perfect time of year to explore these cities without the crowds.
The Area
Logistics
Starts
Catania Airport (CTA)
14:30 on Day 1
Ends
Your hotel in Catania
11:00 on Day 5
Transfers
A group transfer from the airport is included on Day 1, which will depart Catania Airport around 14:30. It will take just over one hour to reach the mountain chalet, located on Etna Nord.
On Day 5, the trip finishes after breakfast at your hotel in Catania. As some people may choose to extend their time on Sicily, no transfer back to the airport is included to allow for flexibility of personal schedules. From the hotel, Catania Airport is a short journey away by taxi (approx. 15mins, €25EUR) or by public bus (approx. 20mins, €4EUR).
It will be difficult to use public transport to reach the start point of the trek independently if you chose to travel at different times, so we strongly recommend taking advantage of the set group transfer from Catania Airport to Etna Nord. If you happen to be already in the city prior to the trip, there is a frequent bus service connecting the airport to the city centre and vice versa.
Private transfers to and from Etna Nord can also be arranged on request – see Optional Extras for prices.
Travel options
Catania Airport (CTA), although a smaller regional airport on Sicily, is well connected to the rest of Italy with multiple flights daily from Milan and Rome, allowing for a wide range of onward connections to/from your point of departure. For those travelling from the UK, both EasyJet and Wizz Air have direct flights from London to Catania, although their schedules vary across the year and are not daily departures. Depending on your original point of departure, you may need to consider starting your journey to Catania the day before the trip starts.
Day 1
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 2 – Day 3
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 4
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
What is the food like?
You'll eat delicious food made with local ingredients that respect Sicilian traditions. Lunches are picnic boxes prepared by your chalet's hosts. Dinners are a combination of first courses (usually including pasta, ravioli and soups), second courses (generally meat-based and accompanied by mushrooms and seasonal vegetables), as well as a range of local cured meats and dairy products. Dinners usually finish with homemade desserts and cakes.
Most dietary requirements can be accommodated – please just request this on your passenger info form.
What is the accommodation like?
Etna Nord
Spend three nights at the cosy mountain chalet Clan dei Ragazzi. Near the town of Linguaglossa in Etna Nord, this is the lesser-visited and wilder side of Etna. The wooden chalet is surrounded by the Ragabo pine forest, a magical setting for a winter adventure on Europe's largest volcano. It has a cosy lounge bar, a restaurant, a large multi-purpose room and a small welcoming hall. Accommodation is on a twin- or triple-share basis, either in the main structure or in one of the small forest cabins. All rooms are equipped with heating, ensuite toilets and showers. There is no TV or WiFi is available, to give guests the chance to disconnect from the internet and reconnect with nature.
Please note: there is a local tourism tax of €6 per person payable on arrival at your accommodation.
Catania
Your final evening will be spent in Catania at the Hotel La Collegiata, named after the church of the same name in the heart of Catania's historic centre. This comfortable 3-star hotel is a comfortable retreat after your volcano adventures. The rooms are twin-share, with free WiFi.
Upgrades
Due to the chalet style of accommodation at Clan dei Ragazzi, there is no private room upgrade option available in Etna Nord. However, there is a private room option available at Hotel La Collegiata in Catania – please see Optional Extras for pricing information, and request this from your host when booking.
This trip has been rated as Moderate
No special skills are required, just a good fitness level and the ability to handle 2-5 hours of mountain hiking or snowshoeing. On Days 1, 2 and 3 there will be some some short, steep sections to ascend/descend, but overall no significant elevation gain. On Day 4, if you choose to do the summit hike from Etna South, you'll hike up from 2900m to the central craters at 3350m with a specialist volcano guide. Prior hiking experience is recommended as it will make your experience more enjoyable.
Between December and March, Mount Etna is usually covered in snow, especially at altitudes above 1500m where this itinerary runs. If snow is present, all hikes will take place using snowshoes and poles (these are included in the trip price and provided locally).
Snowshoes are a special type of footwear that enables you to spread your weight over a larger area, allowing you to move easily across powdery snow-covered terrain. If you have never tried this activity before, don't worry! Snowshoeing is incredibly easy, comfortable and safe. You simply clip your snowshoe to the outside of your hiking boot with a strap and off you go! You'll be in the hands of experienced and trained local guides who know the area intimately, who will guide you safely throughout the hike. You'll also have the opportunity to test the snowshoes on Day 1, before you head out on longer excursions on Day 2 and Day 3.
Hiking on the north side is the best choice for visiting Etna when not climbing to the summit in terms of off the beaten-track experience and highlights. You'll be exploring more accessible, lower routes which still showcase the majestic volcanic landscape of Etna in all its beauty, crossing a diverse environment made of lava caves, extinct craters, birch forests and mesmerising moonscapes.
What will I need to carry?
Your main luggage will be left at the chalet, so you'll just need a 30L daypack to carry personal items during each day of hiking.
Snow and sub-zero temperatures on Etna are very common between the months of January and March. During this period, temperatures drop significantly and snow is likely even at lower altitudes below 1600m. The best you can do is to be prepared for anything: come equipped with warm layers of clothing and windproofs (see the Kit List for more information). Your host will be monitoring the weather conditions during the course of the trip and will suggest alternative, safer hiking routes should the weather get really bad.
Please note that snow is never 100% guaranteed on every departure, however recent reports show a very high chance of snow between the months of December and March. Winter hiking without snow will be equally spectacular and enjoyable, and the contrasts and colours of the volcanic landscape even more evident.
Fabulous snowy adventure
Antonino amd Lea were incredible, knowledgable and lovely guides - going over and above to look after everyone. Mt Etna is an awesome trip - physically challenging, stunning scenery and geologically!
Fantastic weekend with amazing guides.
Experiencing the changing moods of Mt Etna
Great adventure - we enjoyed hiking the various landscapes of Mt Etna and the range of weather she had in store made it all the more exciting. We all worked up to the climax of the trip, a long hike in the snow, climbing up and down, seeing craters and braving the cold - with lunch in a wooden bivacco (a mountain shelter with a wood stove and necessities) and exploring the beautiful lava caves. Nino was a wonderful guide, in tune with the group, very approachable and knowledgeable. The accommodation was basic, but warm and comfy - made it all about making the most of the outdoors. Food was lovely and enjoyed getting to know the rest of the group over some tasty dishes and wine.
Hiking Mt Etna (North) in the Winter
Accommodation is basic but comfortable, sleeping out in the woodland meant a food night sleep after exhilarating days hiking. The weather we encountered was tough icy rain and heavy snow but made for a real adventure ..not 'just' a hike! I needn't have worried travelling alone as met with the a really lovely group, my room mate was great and we enjoyed a good laugh following the days adventures. Guide was excellent hugely knowledgeable, couldn't have asked for better. Overall the package was great value will definitely be doing it again this coming winter! Oh, the Wine is great and very welcome in the evening. Not an easy hiking trip when the weather is bad due to the altitude but absolutely worth it.
Etna adventure
Interesting insite into Etna, the hikes were varied, informative, fun and the right duration, you need to be reasonably fit. Food was very good, accommodation is basic but fine for 3 nights.
Great and varied trip
Great and varied tour with a really knowledgeable and friendly guide. The group was also fantastic - which has generally been true for MBA trips (this was my fourth). I would say though that this is one of those mountains they warn you about in terms of rapidly changing weather- the first day we had changes in weather every five minutes, from sunny and quite hot to hail, to rain to hurricane strength winds (it blew me down and I couldn’t get up), and the next day there was enough snow for decent snowshoeing (and it kept snowing during the day). So be ready.
Everything is very well organised, and the arrangements for those with food restrictions are very good. Be prepared to eat a lot of pasta!
One thing I’d recommend is to be flexible with the transfer back. All of us either had late afternoon flights or were not taking a flight at all. In such a situation I’d recommend moving the transfer to later in the morning so we could squeeze in another hike rather than sit at the airport for 5hrs.
Breathtaking
Wow!
Blown away by how beautiful this volcano is. The hike is like chapters of a book with each one being more dramatic than the last. Accommodation, basic but adequate and the food was amazing. Nino our guide knew the volcano like the back of his hand, super knowledgeable and friendly.
Definitely would recommend
There were only two of
There were only two of us, but we got on well and had a lovely time despite the weather being pretty bad, with very strong winds and driving snow/hail. But I loved it, and made the few extra days after in 18 degrees C and sun on the coast after even more enjoyable. I think climate change is going to make it harder to predict/ guarantee snow in winter so probably it would be a bonus if it were possible to use snowshoes! All was helped by our very personable guide Nino who I think really enjoyed the challenging conditions as well, and the fantastic food/ accommodation. First time with MBA but like the varied approach to adventure you have.
Unique hiking experience
Hiking the Etna volcano was exceptional. So many different landscapes passing by, from dense forest to barren black lava fields, with views of the Mediterranean in the distance. The lava caves were definitely a highlight.
Nino is a great guide, clearly passionate about the area and generously sharing his knowledge. He seemessly adjusted the route and schedule according to our needs and preferences.
I would recommend this to all types of hiking and nature enthousiasts; a chance to experience a unique mountain (volcano!) environment. The food and wine was nothing to scoff at either 😋.
Mount Etna
We had a great time, our guide Nino was amazing, I felt looked after and learnt lots! Ninos knowledge was brilliant and nothing was too much trouble. Would highly recommend
What an epic weekend in
What an epic weekend in Sicily!! Snow, pasta and hiking a volcano. Our guides Nino and Andrea were fantastic. I now know a lot more about Sicily and volcanoes! Highly recommend this trip as a great long weekend away. Learning to snowshoe was fun, the views were epic and as already said, lots of pasta 👌
Snowshoeing and hiking in the sunshine!
We had a really good weekend exploring the beautiful woods and snowy slopes around Mt Etna. We made new friends and we laughed a lot! Our guides were excellent- the hikes were carefully planned and every effort was made to accommodate all members of the group. This did mean that one guide had to turn back after a very short time on day 2, and the whole party had to wait significant periods for the whole group to reform on day 3. Two sets of snowshoes needed repairs during the first hike which also limited our hiking distance that day. I think most of the group would have enjoyed longer hikes on both days. It was unfortunate that on day 1 some luggage had gone astray and we were delayed leaving the airport which left no time for a hike that day. It was also unfortunate that there were no direct flights to the UK on day 4, so most people had to stay an extra night. The accommodation was good- as expected, bunk beds, warm rooms and showers, nice bedding. The food was good plentiful local fare. Some fresh fruit at breakfast and as a dessert option would have been nice. Drinking water could be purchased at the bar, along with alcohol and soft drinks. Our guides were very knowledgeable about volcanoes, the local flora & fauna and the history of the area. We had interesting pre dinner briefings and updates during the hikes.
Itinerary Activities
- Guided snowshoeing in the Ragabo pine forest
- Guided snowshoeing on the eastern flank of Etna
- Guided snowshoeing on the Pista Altomontana trail
- Guided hike on Etna's southern flank
Guides
- Expert, English-speaking local guide
Accommodation
- 3 nights in a rustic mountain chalet
- 1 night in a 3-star hotel in Catania
Meals
- All breakfasts
- 3 picnic lunches
- 4 delicious Sicilian dinners
Transfers
- Group arrival transfer from Catania Airport on Day 1
- Transfers throughout the trip
Equipment
- Snowshoes and poles
Our trips are hassle-free by design. We include all the activities and equipment, as well as many of the meals, so you can simply rock up with your rucksack and share the adventure with your new pals.
Travel to and from the trip
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. We suggest the below as a guideline per person:
- €15 per person
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Travel insurance
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine, as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visas
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
Personal Expenses
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Enjoy 12.5% Off Outdoor Gear
In need of a few more items? All bookings receive a 12.5% discount to use at Cotswold Outdoor, Snow + Rock and Runner's Need.
What's included?
- Snowshoes and poles, if required
What do I need to bring?
BAGS
- Soft overnight duffel bag or luggage
- Daypack (30 litres)
- Waterproof liner for kitbag/rucksack, or drybags
CLOTHES
- Rain/windproof (Gore-Tex) jacket with hood
- Rain/windproof (Gore-Tex) trousers (we recommend either a combination of a thermal layer and a waterproof hard shell trouser, or insulated waterproof skiing pants)
- Fleece jacket or similar
- Thermals (merino best)
- One functional shirt for the hike (we recommend merino or synthetic)
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- Buff or neckscarf
- Trekking trousers/shorts/skirts
- Underwear and one or two layers of socks (merino or synthetic)
- Sunglasses
- Sleepwear
- Sturdy hiking boots (worn-in)
- Head torch with batteries
- Gaiters
OTHER
- Universal travel plug adapter
- Power bank or solar charger
- Passports (and visas)
- Travel insurance documents
- Ear plugs
- Suncream
- Personal first-aid kit (inc. blister treatment)
- Personal items (biodegradable toiletries, sanitary wear etc)
- Quick-dry towel
- Alcohol hand-gel
- Reusable water bottle (or two) x1 litre
- Biodegradable wet-wipes
- Energy bars and snacks - read our article on Best Hiking Snacks
Optional Etna Summit Hike (Conditions Allowing)
Payable In Resort
Optional Etna Summit Hike (Conditions Allowing)
… Per Person
Optional Private Room Upgrade in Catania
Payable Before Departur