Etna - Descent through the Canaloni and the Valle del Bove

August 25th, 2024
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. We depart from Rifugio Sapienza (1880 m.) using the cable car (cost € 50.00) or on foot if you prefer to hike up. We reach M. Escrivà at an altitude of 2660 meters, a crater from 2001. From here, our journey begins, accompanied by scenery transformed by recent eruptions. After skirting the Montagnola, staying at altitude and admiring the magnificent view of the entire Valle del Bove from above, we begin the most spectacular and fun part: 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, with the sensation of losing all sense of gravity. Once inside the valley, we cross a stretch of the spectacular volcanic stone slabs from the 1992 eruption. Exiting 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 there, we finally take a path down to Piano del Vescovo, our destination for the day.

Fee: € 25.00 - Includes guide service, accident insurance, and organization. For insurance purposes, please kindly send us your full name and tax code (codice fiscale).
Other expenses: € 50.00 for the optional cable car ascent.
Meeting point: Sunday, August 25th at 09:00 AM at Rifugio Sapienza, on the stairs in front of the cable car entrance. Click the link below for the Google Maps location:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CXB7tkCQVoNnpmZb6
End of excursion: Sunday at 5:30 PM at Rifugio Sapienza.
Travel: own car
Lunch: packed lunch.
Route: track, marked and unmarked trails. Walking time: 5 hours - Elevation gain: 200 m. ascent, 1150 m. descent. Without cable car – walking time: 6.5 hours - Elevation gain: 780 m. ascent, 1150 m. descent.
Difficulty: Challenging.
Required equipment: trekking clothing, small backpack, hiking boots, trekking poles, sun hat, sunscreen, sweater, waterproof jacket, and 2.5 liters of water (3 liters for those who drink more).
N.B. A few days before the excursion, we will send you an email with the latest information. The excursion may be subject to changes due to unpredictable natural events; in such cases, an alternative route will be taken if possible.
Reservations: 3513347770 - Email: [email protected]
AIGAE Guides: Javier Marletta and Paolo Costanzo
Contacts: 3287484939 - www.ciaotrekking.com