Etna's Altomontana Slope

Riding the Pista Altomontana dell'Etna is a unique and highly emotional experience. In fact, in few places in the world you will be able to pedal in the middle of an extraordinary volcanic environment, where the forces of nature are the masters and silence reigns supreme.

The itinerary is a 36-kilometer dirt track that develops on the slopes of the summit area of Etna between 1,400 meters and 2,000 meters. It is the only connection between the north and south slopes of Etna and can be traveled in both directions.

In this Tour I have chosen the south-west to north-east direction of the volcano, therefore the beginning of the itinerary is marked by the entrance gate in the area of the Filiciusa Milia Forest Property, next to which stands an obelisk in lava stone with the coat of arms of the Forestry Corps.

Along the Pista Altomontana you will cross vast lava fields of ancient and recent flows, which, depending on the era in which they were formed, have been more or less colonized by vegetation. You will observe the summit craters of Etna and you will enjoy phenomenal views of the Alcantara Valley, where the heights of the Nebrodi mix with those of the Peloritani. You can rest in one of the many stone bivouacs along the way or stop to observe the curious brushwood and mud shelters used in the past by shepherds and woodcutters: the "pagghiari". Deviating slightly from the main route, you will be able to discover and even enter some lava flow caves.

Before reaching the Brunek refuge, where the Altomontana slope ends, you will pass through the enchanting Linguaglossa pine forest. Here the very tall larch pine trunks allow the sun's rays to filter through, which sometimes create suggestive multiple beams of light.

To return to the gate of the Filiciusa Milia Forest Property, you will necessarily have to take the Provincial Road that passes through Milo and Zafferana Etnea (46.5 kilometers for 1,600 meters of elevation gain), unfortunately not served by any type of public transport.