Do you think that Etna is all about panoramas and postcard views? You are wrong. This volcano also offers 365 days a year for sports enthusiasts.
Within the Etna park, there are numerous paths for trekking lovers, to be chosen according to the type of difficulty.
There are paths suitable for those who want to take a simple walk, and others which are more demanding.
For example, the easiest path is the Germoplasma path: a true sensory journey to discover Etna's plant genetic heritage, requiring a walk of just one hour. The most complex is the Sentiero Italia, which starts at 1,685 metres above sea level and takes three days to complete. In between there are two, four, five and seven-hour trails.
Most of the trails start in Nicolosi, such as Sentiero La Cava, Sentiero della Regina or Grotta delle Palombe.
There are many points of interest along the entire surface of Etna: the Montagnola, the Monti Silvestri, the Crateri Sommitali, the lava flow caves, the Valle del Bove, and the former Benedictine monastery of San Nicolò La Rena, which houses a volcanological museum area. The ascent to the summit is certainly the most popular route: it can be done entirely on foot or using the cable car, off-road vehicles, mountain bikes, horses and, in winter, skis.
Those who do not wish to venture out alone can take advantage of the support of mountain guides.
In winter, ski enthusiasts can enjoy skiing down the slopes of the Nicolosi ski area, located to the south between 1,910 and 2,700 metres, and the Piani di Provenzana-Linguaglossa ski area, located to the north between 1,800 and 2,317 metres.
Whether or not there is snow, Etna fascinates every visitor armed with curiosity and a desire to have fun.
