Etna – Descent through the Canaloni and the Valle del Bove

📅 Sunday, September 21, 2025
About the hike
A fascinating hiking route on the southern slopes of Etna, set within a volcanic landscape that is truly one of a kind. The itinerary winds through recent craters, volcanic sands, historic lava flows, and beech and chestnut forests, featuring an unmissable descent into the majestic Valle del Bove.
The trail traverses scenery shaped by eruptions, offering sweeping views across all of eastern Sicilia. The experience is made even more intense by the passage through the sandy Montagnola gully and the crossing of the spectacular lava flows from the 1992 eruption.

Technical information

• Type of hike: point-to-point (different start and end points)
• Hiking time:
  • With cable car: approx. 5 hours
  • Without cable car: approx. 6 and a half hours
• Elevation gain/loss:
  • With cable car: +200 m / –1150 m
  • Without cable car: +780 m / –1150 m
• Difficulty: Moderate - Challenging
• Terrain: marked and unmarked trails, volcanic sand, lava flows, forest sections

Participation fee

€ 25,00 – Includes:

• AIGAE guide service
• Hike organization
• Accident insurance

Additional costs:

• € 50,00 for the optional cable car ride (optional, to be paid on-site)

📌 To activate the insurance, please provide your full name and tax code (codice fiscale) at the time of booking.

Logistics

• Meeting point: 09:00 AM at the cable car entrance stairs – Rifugio Sapienza (Etna South)
  📍 Google Maps location
• End of hike: approx. 06:00 PM – return to Rifugio Sapienza
• Transport: own vehicle
• Meals: packed lunch

Required equipment

• Technical hiking clothing
• Hiking boots and gaiters
• Hiking poles (we can provide them if you don't have your own)
• Backpack
• Sweater or fleece
• Waterproof jacket
• Hat, sunscreen
• At least 2.5 liters of water (3 liters recommended for those prone to dehydration)

Important notes

• The itinerary may be subject to change due to adverse weather conditions or unforeseen natural events.
• All detailed information will be sent via email or WhatsApp a few days before departure.

Booking and contacts

📞 Javier Marletta – 328 7484939
📧 [email protected]
AIGAE Environmental Hiking Guide