View of Mount Etna's crater – Piano del Lago Crater loop from Monte dei Santi

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Sicily

Catania

Ragalna

View of Mount Etna's crater – Piano del Lago Crater loop from Monte dei Santi

Hard

4.5

(2)

hikers

View of Mount Etna's crater – Piano del Lago Crater loop from Monte dei Santi

08:15

21.2km

1,320m

Mountaineering

Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is right next to a parking lot.

Last updated: October 15, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 11.7 km for 776 m

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

5.44 km

Mossy Volcanic Slopes of Mount Etna

Highlight • Volcano

Some plants don’t need much to live

Translated by Google •

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6.21 km

Mount Etna Lava Fields

Highlight • Volcano

After a strenuous climb (or by gondola), you arrive at this spot. It's often windy here. Hiking boots are recommended.

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7.82 km

Lava Tube in Parco dell'Etna

Highlight • Cave

From the lava layers you can see how often the river level has changed

Translated by Google •

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8.82 km

Mount Etna

Highlight • Volcano

August 2021, closer is not allowed due to recent eruptions

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9.43 km

View of Mount Etna's crater

Highlight • Volcano

A worthwhile experience the trip on Etna

Translated by Google •

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9.58 km

Etna Craters

Highlight • Volcano

Inactive crater

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13.2 km

Piano del Lago Crater

Highlight • Volcano

just beyond the cable car, the approach to the crater could be closed if there is no mountain or volcanological guide

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21.2 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

7.82 km

6.39 km

4.60 km

1.56 km

875 m

Surfaces

8.43 km

4.60 km

4.58 km

2.44 km

1.00 km

197 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Weather

Friday 6 November

6°C

-1°C

36 %

Additional weather tips

There’s a fairly high chance of rain. Consider packing a waterproof jacket.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

November 17, 2024,Von Villa Dorata zum Ätna Hauptkrater

After yesterday's climb to our hotel Villa Dorata at 1,600 m above sea level, we set off from there at around 5 a.m. today towards Etna. We were ambitious to get to the crater rim, but weren't sure whether that was allowed or possible. It was definitely going to be a great experience...!

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