{"id":15490,"date":"2023-05-30T17:42:39","date_gmt":"2023-05-30T15:42:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wobblyride.com\/?p=15490"},"modified":"2023-07-27T21:05:52","modified_gmt":"2023-07-27T19:05:52","slug":"hiking-mount-etna","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wobblyride.com\/pl\/2023\/05\/30\/hiking-mount-etna\/","title":{"rendered":"Hiking Mount Etna in 2023. Practical tips"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last year, when I <\/strong>cycled through Sicily<\/strong><\/a>, the lunar landscape of mighty Etna awed me like only a few places before. I vowed to return and hike one of the world’s most active volcanoes. In May 2023, I was back in Sicily, ready to climb as high as possible through the lava fields and around the yawning craters. It didn’t go quite as planned and I didn’t make it to the top craters but it was still an unforgettable experience.<\/strong> In this article, you will find useful tips to help you organise your trip to Mount Etna<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf0b About Mount Etna<\/strong> 
The 3357 metres tall Mount Etna is Europe\u2019s highest active volcano. With over 300 craters, the stratovolcano is a vast playground for hikers and geologists with 1,190 square kilometres of volcanic rocks covering the rivers of magma flowing underneath. 
Etna overlooks the port city of Catania on the east coast of Sicily, raising almost straight from the sea level. The volcano belongs to the most active volcanoes on earth, with the last eruption recorded on 22 May 2023 (just a week after my visit).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to get from Catania to Mount Etna<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Bus from Catania to Mount Etna<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The cheapest way to get to Mount Etna from Catania is by bus. A return ticket costs 6,60 euros. The AST<\/a> bus departs from platform 6 at the bus station at Piazza Giovanni XXIII (close to the railway station, you can find the exact location tutaj<\/a>). You will arrive at the Rifugio Sapienza<\/a> and the cable car lower station.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bus ride to Mount Etna is an experience in itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is only one bus a day (departure from Catania at 8:15, return from Rifugio Sapienza at 16:30.<\/strong> There is an extra bus in the high season (15 June-15 September at 11:30 from Catania).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can buy the tickets online at the AST website<\/a>, but do it in advance and print the paper ticket. We tried booking the online ticket while standing in line for the bus. It wasn\u2019t possible (the staff said they won\u2019t accept it anymore).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t have an online ticket, you can buy it from the driver. Be at the bus station earl<\/strong>y (at least 7:00), especially on weekends and during the peak season. First come, first served.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The bus ride is quite long (2 hours). One reason for that is the bendy road, another a 30 minutes long break in Nicolosi, where you can get a cake or coffee (it seems the bus company is affiliated with the coffee place there and make this stop to drive some traffic).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can take the bus back to Catania the next day if you stay overnight at Rifugio Sapienza. We did it, and it was not a problem at all. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Taxi\/Uber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you’re not one of the lucky ones who manage to get a sit on the bus, you can take a taxi or Uber from Catania to Etna. A taxi costs about 95 euros. With some luck, you might find an Uber for about 70-80 euros.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Private transfer \/ Etna tour with transfer from Catania<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some guided hiking tours on Etna offer to pick you up straight from your hotel in Catania.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is the best time to hike Mount Etna?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You can visit Mount Etna all year round, but if you\u2019re aiming for the top craters, the best time to visit is from May to October. Even in May, there can be a lot of snow on the slopes of Etna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t forget that Etna is a high mountain. It might be sunny and hot in Catania, while the top craters are covered in clouds. The higher parts are often windy and foggy, so bring warm clothes and proper hiking gear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Hiking Mount Etna – what do you need to bring?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Here is a little gear checklist for hiking Mount Etna.<\/p>\n\n\n\n