Sicily Trekking Holiday

On arrival at Catania airport, we meet our bus and head for Europe's largest and best known volcano, Mount Etna. Our base will be in a restored farmhouse in Sant’ Alfio, located in a small hazelnut grove on the east side of the mountain. Here we hope to stretch our legs with a gentle walk over lava flows from the 1928 eruption, and into beautiful pine forests before heading back to our family-run mountain retreat for a glass of wine and a hearty meal.

Triple rooms may be used here on occasion.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Dinner

One of the highlights of our trip is the visit to Etna, the highest volcano in Europe (3330m) and one of the largest in the world. 130 eruptions have been recorded through history and graphic accounts of burning lava flows reaching the sea have been well documented by famous travellers through the millennia. We use a 4WD vehicle to climb the track up the rugged slopes to 2500m, where we begin our walk. Weather (and volcanic activity) permitting, we follow a path along the volcanic cones from the 2002 eruptions to the cave area of Mount Etna which was created during the eruptions of 1664. Next we hike along volcanic ash and lava flows to the Grotta dei Lamponi at 2000m, here we will visit the caves (please bring torches, preferably head torches), before hiking down to Piano Provenzano at approximately 1900m.  From here we will drive back to the hotel.  Approximate walking time is 5 hours and we aim to cover a distance of 6km. 

There is also the option (weather and numbers dependent) to hike with a mountian guide (tour leader stays with the other group) to the summit area of Mount Etna to make a tour of the Northeast crater (at 3300m the highest), the Central crater (the oldest at 2000 years old), the Bocca Nuova, which formed after the eruption in 1968 and the Southeast crater (the youngest dating from 1971). Here there are superb views of the north coast of Sicily and the volcanic Aeolian islands lying offshore. In winter, Etna's cone is covered with snow and the summit can be bitterly cold. In spring, however, expect to find crocuses and violets hiding in the volcanic debris. The walk is then down to Torre del Philosofo, probably built by the Romans to celebrate Emperor Hadrian’s ascent to the summit, before descending through the spectacular Valle del Bove. This vast bowlshaped chasm, with precipitous lava cliffs 900m high, was formed by a violent and tortuous eruption some time in the remote past. You will eventually climb out via the 'Schiena del Asino' (the Asses Back) and make your way to your vehicle to return to Sant’ Alfio. About 6- 7 hours walk, moderate to strenous.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Today we drive up to 1900m on Etna’s slopes. Hundreds of subsidiary cones and spent craters have been formed by lateral eruptions along regular lines of fracture which, together with twisted lumps of lava strewn chaotically around, provide an otherworldly setting. It’s difficult not to be impressed by the might of the mountain that periodically wreaks havoc, sending molten lava cascading down its flanks and destroying the surrounding towns! We walk to the fissures of the 2002 eruptions and site of the former ski resort area of Piano Provenzana. Afterwards we follow the now solidified lava flows downhill through the pine forests. About 5-6 hours walk.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning we drive to Milazzo, where we take the hydrofoil to awe-inspiring Strómboli. As we approach the classic cone-shaped island volcano, there are spectacular views of Strómboli as it rises dramatically from the depths of the sea to 900m, with a cloud of smoke almost permanently gracing its peak. Around its base are some small communities, whose white-washed houses splashed with scarlet bougainvillea, provide a vivid contrast to the dark volcanic rock of the powerful crater behind. After checking into our hotel and relaxing for a little while, we will do a circular hike that will take us along an old route known as Sciara del Fuoco and end up at an Observatory which will give us views up to Stromboli.  We will aim to have dinner up here and you can observe the activity of Stromboli whilst enjoying your dinner.  We will then return on foot to our hotel (Torches necessary!). Number of hours walking is approximately 3-4 hours. 

There is also the option to hike (Volcanic Activity and numbers dependant) to the Stromboli Crater limit to watch sunset. This optional will be with a group of up to 20 so will not be exclusive to our group. Approx walking is 3 - 4 hours and graded moderate to strenous.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Leaving Strómboli we take the ferry to the picturesque harbour of Lipari town where fishing boats vie for room with luxury yachts. Above the town stands an imposing castle, and excavations here show that the island has supported a civilisation for over 5,000 years. There's a fascinating museum with an excellent explanation of the vulcanology, history and archaeology of the region from Neolithic times to the present day. In the afternoon there is the opportunity to take a tour of the island (optional) to see the thermal baths of San Calogero, which made the island popular in classical times, and the open mines. Originally obsidian was extracted from the mines and, as the hardest stone available at the time, provided trade and income to the area. Later, pumice became the mainstay of the economy There's also time to relax on the beach and take a dip in the sea.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

This morning we take a small boat to the neighbouring island of Vulcano, named after Zeus' son Vulcan, the God of fire and metalworking. Although now dormant, Vulcano has erupted spectacularly throughout the centuries – the last dramatic explosion being only 100 years ago. In 183BC a huge eruption gave birth to 'Vulcanello' (the Little Volcano) visible from the port. Today, Vulcano puffs out a steady stream of gases and vapour. Even offshore the presence of the sulphur, which was once mined here, is obvious. We'll walk to the 'Gran Cratere' (400m) for views of the Aeolian islands scattered around us. After descending, you may wish to try a mud bath – reputedly an excellent cure for arthritic complaints. Having caked ourselves from head to toe, it's then time for a swim in the azure sea – the water here is very warm, an indication of how close the boiling interior of the earth comes to its crust. About 2-3 hours walk.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

We travel by hydrofoil back to Sicily, passing monumental columns of basalt jutting vertically upwards from the seabed. Arriving in Milazzo, we board our bus and pass through fertile lands, once fiery lava slopes, where today oranges, lemons, cherries and pistachios flourish in the rich soil. We stop en route and have the option to climb Rocca Novara (1340m), from which we have magnificent views of Etna rising from the centre of the island to dominate the skyline. Continuing on our journey, we plan to stop briefly at the vast geological gorge of Gola Alcantara, where the impressive walls of basalt are made of bizarre geometrical shapes – forged when the hot molten lava met with the cool waters of the Alcantara river. We will then head to the seaside town of Giadini Naxos, where we enjoy a final relaxing night on the shores of the Ionian Sea.

Overnight Standard Hotel Included meals: Breakfast

Today we drive to Catania airport where the tour ends.

Included meals: Breakfast