Etna Regional Park

Environment and nature, Naturalistic areas
Via del Convento, 45 - 95030 Nicolosi
095 821111 - Fax 095 914738

Put on your trekking shoes and gets ready for an unforgettable experience.

The Etna Regional Park extends for 59,000 hectares in a unique natural environment: the extraordinary landscape which surrounds the highest active volcano in Europe is set to become a World Heritage Site in June 2013.

Its closeness to the city of Catania and the A18 Messina-Catania motorway means that the Park is really easy to reach. The encircling towns (Adrano, Belpasso, Biancavilla, Bronte, Castiglione di Sicilia, Giarre, Linguaglossa, Maletto, Mascali, Milo, Nicolosi, Pedara, Piedimonte Etneo, Ragalna, Randazzo, Sant’Alfio, Santa Maria di Licodia, Trecastagni, Viagrande, Zafferana Etnea) are connected to Catania and with each other.

To fascinate visitors there is the volcanic activity, the food and wine, the many nature trails, and the extraordinary woods, where you can catch a glimpse of numerous species of birds. At the summit at 3,340 m a.s.l., there are the four main craters which can be reached in two ways: go to meeting place the “guides hut”, at 1,900 m a.s.l. at Nicolosi North (South Etna) where you will be guided by experts; using the cable car you reach an altitude of 2,900 m a.s.l. (Torre del Filosofo – The Philosopher’s Tower). In the winter time the volcano becomes almost “alpine” yet it is still possible to see the sea.

From here on, it is necessary to use snow shoes, cross country skis, crampons and axes. As well as the Nicolosi Nord cable car there is also the Linguaglossa (North Etna) station which is back in working order after 2002 eruption. After such breathtaking views it is worth sampling some local specialities: mushrooms, honey, sausages, pistachios, wine, oil and strawberry.

To finish why not buy a souvenir made by local craftsmen out of ceramization of black lava stone.