The best MTB trails around Santa Domenica Vittoria

The Santa Maria del Bosco refuge is easy to reach and is equipped with fresh drinking water, toilets, BBQ sites, firewood, a room always open with a fireplace and wooden bunk beds, camping sites, swings and a football pitch.

Shelter temporarily closed Reopened at the end of October

interesting crossing of an old lava flow

Very nice shelter. Outside a lever pump, one of those old ones. Non-potable water

Classic Refuge always open in a wooded and cool area on the slopes of Etna. Outside a woodshed, in another hut a stable-manger and inside the refuge a table and two bunk beds on which to store sleeping bags. Someone always leaves something, liquor or even commemorative writings (which I would avoid though)

Wood, water, a fireplace, bunk beds and a table are available. I slept very well :)

Bivouac recently restored and which I always find in excellent condition: The uncivilized here have not yet arrived. Inside there are 2 bunk beds, a fireplace and a table with benches. Outside there is a manual pump with non-potable water, a barbecue area, and a woodshed. Around the bivouac there is a beech forest and a pine forest. Watch out for the processionary moth!

The train station in Randazzo is a transfer station when circumnavigating the entire Etna massif with the Ferrovia Circumetnea. The circumnavigation requires a certain amount of planning. Unfortunately, there is no longer a complete circuit by train. Depending on the time of year (and probably with changes/more deteriorations over the years), you have to plan the individual sections with transfer or waiting times in the transfer stations precisely. However, these waiting times can be put to good use for activities in the individual towns. In Giarre you have to change between the two train stations Giarre-Riposto and Giarre. The journey, which is only 300 m long, takes a maximum of five minutes, so a tour of the nearby (western) old town is recommended if you have more time. Here in Randazzo you can take a tour of the old town, which is well worth seeing, with its cathedral, other interesting churches and several old city gates. In Bronte, where there are two train stations, a hike to the impressive lava fields in the southeast is highly recommended, as well as a tour of the old town on the hill. Don't forget to try the famous pistachios (possibly as ice cream, cake, etc.). From Giarre to Bronte via Randazzo, the slow journey through the interesting, diverse landscape with great, changing views of Etna is extremely exciting. It then becomes increasingly monotonous up to Catania, especially since several routes run underground (as a metro). In Catania, you have to change from Borgo to the central station (Catania Centrale). The shortest route is a good three kilometers long and takes three quarters of an hour. But longer routes through the extremely impressive old town are also worthwhile. The remaining railway line to the east of Etna runs along the coast through populated areas with many towns. Overall, the Etna circuit by train is a great experience with a variety of experiences and impressions and guarantees an unforgettable day. But that's what it takes.