New Etna Trail - The Ginestre Path - Etna

From June 1st to June 3rd, 2018 - Detailed program in PDF format available for download at the bottom of the page.
We invite you to spend three days on the mid-slopes of Etna, in the full bloom of spring. From Zafferana to Castiglione di Sicilia, we will cross the volcano from one side to the other following the Sentiero delle Ginestre (Broom Path), one of the new Etna trails. With daily stages ranging from 14 to 19 kilometers, we will first follow the edges of the Valle del Bove, then gradually ascend through old lava flows and oak forests until we reach the centuries-old Ragabo pine forest. From a maximum altitude of 1500 meters, we will finally descend along ancient transhumance paths to the devastating 1923 lava flow that cut off the Circumetnea railway, and finish by crossing pleasant hazelnut groves. The trek will conclude in Castiglione di Sicilia, in the valley of the Alcantara river. A rare opportunity to savor the diversity of Etna's slopes. Together with Giuseppe Riggio, an enthusiast and storyteller of Etna, we will discover the many gems nestled in the mid-mountain area, where humans have experimented for centuries with ingenious ways of coexisting with the volcano.

Fee: € 65,00 - Includes guide service, RCT insurance, and excursion organization.
Other expenses: € 100,00. Expenses include: overnight stays in rural tourism facilities and hotels, agriturismo with double and triple room accommodations, dinners in restaurants, and breakfasts from the evening of the first day until the morning of the last.
Costs do not include: round-trip travel to reach the meeting point and end of the trip, packed lunches for all days, and extra expenses not specified.
Deposit: € 65,00 at the time of booking.
Balance: € 100,00 - Do not send; please bring it with you and pay on-site.
Meeting point: Friday, June 1st at 09:30 AM in the parking lot in front of the entrance to the public gardens of Zafferana Etnea.
End of trip: Sunday, June 3rd at 06:00 PM in Castiglione di Sicilia.
Max number of participants: 16
Daily walking hours: 5 to 6 hours.
Nights: accommodation in rural tourism facilities and hotels.
Meals: packed lunches and restaurant meals.
Highlights: the scent and blooming of the broom flowers, the volcano, lava flows, craters, history, culture, and local gastronomy.
Trip type: itinerant.
Difficulty: moderate.
Required equipment: trekking clothing, hiking boots, long trousers, hat, trekking poles, flashlight, shower sandals, k-way (rain jacket), sweater, waterproof jacket, water bottle, and personal toiletries.
Tips: backpack with a 50-liter capacity, not exceeding 8 kg for women and 10 kg for men.
Duration: 3 days / 2 nights.
Booking deadline: May 20, 2018, provided there are still spots available.
Notes: the excursion may be subject to changes due to unpredictable natural events; in such cases, the guide will make the final decision.
Guide: Salvatore Marletta: contact – 3334987946
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]