Deutsche Trek - Etna - Canaloni della Montagnola - Valle del Bove

June 12th, 2017
Etna offers unforgettable landscapes in every season and at every hour of the day; we can observe the eruptive craters, the Valle del Bove, and the panorama that overlooks all of eastern Sicilia.
Departure from Rifugio Sapienza (1880 m) via cable car (one-way cable car cost € 24,00) or on foot without the cable car. We reach M. Escriva at an altitude of 2660 meters, a crater from 2001. From here, our journey begins, accompanied by scenery transformed by recent eruptions. After bypassing the Montagnola, while maintaining altitude and admiring the magnificent view of the entire Valle del Bove from above, the most spectacular and fun part begins: the descent along the sandy gully of the Montagnola, steep but soft, made of fine volcanic sand. In just over an hour, we descend 700 meters in altitude with the sensation of losing the sense of gravity. Once inside the valley, we cross a stretch of the spectacular volcanic stone slabs from the 1992 eruption. Leaving the valley, we climb back up through the beech forest gully and then continue our descent among broom, beech, oak, and chestnut trees until we reach the Zappini spring. From here, we finally descend along a path to Piano del Vescovo, our destination for the day.

Fee: € 15,00 - Includes guide service, RCT insurance, and organization.
Other expenses: € 24,00 for the optional cable car ride.
Meeting point: Monday at 09:15, Nicolosi (CT), Piazza V. Emanuele.
End of excursion: Monday at 17:30, Nicolosi (CT)
Travel: Use of private cars.
Lunch: Packed lunch.
Route: Track, marked and unmarked trails. Walking time: 5 hours - Elevation gain: 200 m uphill, 1150 m downhill. Without cable car – walking time: 6.5 hours - Elevation gain: 780 m uphill, 1150 m downhill.
Difficulty: Challenging.
Required equipment: Trekking clothing, hiking boots, waterproof jacket, sweater, gloves, 2 liters of water, a spare t-shirt.
Notes: The excursion may be subject to changes due to unpredictable natural events; in such cases, an alternative route will be taken if possible.
Guide: SalvatoreMarletta: contact 3334987946
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]