Italy · Snow Adventure

6-Hour Etna Snowshoe Tour with Lava Tube Exploration

6 Hours Round trip from Mt Etna Moderate pace

The journey

Trip highlights

01 Explore the southern side of Etna at 2,000 metres above sea level on snowshoes
02 Visit a lava tube with helmets and lamps provided
03 Taste local products such as honey, oil, and other Sicilian flavours with your local tour guide
04 Walk through dense pine forest, volcanic desert, and varied lava landscapes

Starting in December, discover Etna volcano with your family or friends and enjoy a day of relaxation, adventure, and fun in the snow. This snowshoe hiking tour is suitable for everyone, with no previous physical experience or preparation required. Hiking with snowshoes on Etna along paths that wind through the dense pine forest offers a rich experience full of emotion.

Hiking with snowshoes on Etna along paths that wind through the dense pine forest offers a rich experience full of emotion.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 6 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Included

Wheelchair access Not applicable

Cities Catania, Mount Etna

Languages English, Italian

Day by day

The itinerary

Day 01

Snowshoe Adventure on Southern Etna

From the agreed starting point, with our 4x4 vehicles, we head south and, after a couple of kilometres, stop inside the national park.

After a walk of about 120 minutes, we will visit a crater, where you will observe different types of lava, minerals, the volcanic desert, and the pioneer plants of our volcano.

Finally, we will visit a lava tube, with helmets and lamps provided by us. Equipment, snowshoes, lamps, and helmets will be provided free of charge.

Where this trip takes you

Mt Etna slopes, dense pine forest, lava tube, volcanic desert

The route

Where you'll travel

Tour route map — Round trip from Mt Etna 2 cities · 6 Hours

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

Pick-up and drop-off from Catania
Equipment necessary to visit a lava tube (helmets and torches)
Professional Italian tour guide service
Hot chocolate

What's Not Included

Lunch or dinner
Pick-up from outside Catania

What to bring

Besides the cold temperature, in wintertime on Etna, you can expect strong chilly winds and snowstorms. I generally recommend dressing in warm and comfortable clothes. For your trip to Etna, it is advisable to bring a coat or jacket, possibly wind- and water-resistant; a hat, gloves, and a scarf can be handy. Regarding footwear, a good pair of trainers can be enough, provided they are waterproof and have a grippy sole.
It is always recommended to wear a pair of thick, warm socks. It can also be useful to bring an extra pair in case the ones you wear during the walk get wet.

Know before you go

It is best to communicate any precarious health conditions promptly.
The temperature can be 5/6 °C. Winter clothing is necessary, so you need to be well covered.

Timings:

Snowshoe hiking in the morning: 9:30 hrs.
Snowshoe hiking in the afternoon: 14:00 hrs.

On request, I can arrange excursions for you at different times.

Where do we meet: Pick-up at your hotel or any place you prefer, such as Catania or any nearby city.
What to bring: Hiking shoes and seasonal clothing.
Duration: 5/6-hour excursion.
Difficulty: Easy trekking.
Excursion days: Every day by reservation - January to March.

Logistics