Hike Mount Etna in Winter

No special skills are required, just a good fitness level and the ability to handle two to five hours of hiking or snowshoeing. There will be some some short, steep sections to climb, but overall no significant elevation gain. Prior hiking experience is recommended as it will make your experience more enjoyable.

Marta Marinelli, raised in Italy’s serene Prosecco Hills, dreamt of global adventures, inspired by her father's travel stories. Her passion evolved into a career, backed by a decade of studies including degrees in international tourism and destination management. She’s worked in the adventure travel sector since 2012, living in Italy, the UK, and now sunny Portugal.

Over twenty years, Marta has explored over 55 countries, visiting remote areas like Ghana, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, Haiti and Nepal’s Upper Mustang region. As a Senior Adventure Expansion Manager at Much Better Adventures, she focuses on creating life-changing experiences, ranging from multi-activity adventures, challenging treks to ultimate adventures in iconic places. She loves the challenge of finding the best local adventure hosts around the world, collaborating on adventures that offer genuine immersion, pushing beyond the beaten path and working on exclusive itineraries that challenge your comfort zone.

What makes her tick? Enabling people to live adventure-rich lives while positively impacting and empowering local communities around the world, generating sustainable opportunities for both the host, guides, community, and the environment.

This will very much depend on the snow conditions at time of travel. Between January 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 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 Days 2 and 3.

No, this itinerary does not include Etna summit as climbing to the top craters (3350m) in winter would require mountaineering skills and technical equipment such as crampons, which is not easily available to hire locally. The chance of reaching the summit is also more likely to be impacted adversely by snow, wind or ice conditions as well as volcanic activity. In fact, the area of ​​the summit craters of Etna is very often off limits, due to the risk of eruption.

Hiking on the north side is the best choice for visiting Etna safely and the best alternative to climbing 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.

Due to the the rapid and unpredictable activity of the volcano, the civil authorities can impose altitude restrictions and limit routes at any time. However, given that this itinerary takes place below an altitude of 2800m, the chance of these routes being off limits is very slim. Overall, the choice of the route, the hiking distance and elevation is always decided by your local guide taking into consideration group's fitness and weather conditions, so small alterations can always take place with your safety in mind.

Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes on Earth, alternating periods of rest and periods of eruption. Eruptions can occur from the summit craters and also (more rarely) as lateral eruptions. Whilst Etna's eruptions can destroy homes and roads they are generally not dangerous for people, especially when observing them from lower altitudes far away from the most active craters. Your local guide will monitor the volcanic activity throughout the trip and rely on the official information and bulletins released by the local civil authorities.

Should you be lucky enough to be on a trip at the time of an eruption, your guide can arrange an optional night time excursion (payable locally) to admire the explosions and fresh lava streams from a safe distance – a show of a lifetime!

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 Euro

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.

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.

Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.

The tap water in Sicily is safe to drink. Please bring along your own reusable water bottle to fill up at the chalet to avoid buying single use plastic bottles.

We recommend checking out the country specific information here and also talking to a travel nurse.

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.

Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine.

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.

We fully endorse Campbell Irvine as their insurance offers all of the above, so get in touch with them or call on 020 7938 1734 to get your insurance sorted. We suggest that you book travel insurance as soon as you book your adventure, just to cover you for any last-minute life changes. We know you’re an active lot and injuries do happen!

We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.

If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.

All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy (18+) as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. Children can be accommodated on some private departures.

You're always in good company on one of our adventures.

Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.

Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.

It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.

Don't just take our word for it:

• 95% of people rate the group dynamics on our trips 5/5
• 90% of people recommend joining a trip to make new friends
• 75% of people have met people on our trips that they would now consider friends

See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.

Interested in a more exclusive experience? Opt for a 'Private Group' through the dates and prices tab to book this adventure for just you and your chosen companions.

Our team of Adventure Hunters create exclusive adventures with highly vetted, specialist hosts. We only work with independent, local in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. See here for more info about the local teams we partner with.