Introduction

Mount Etna, active, looming and an always living threat is blanketed with forests and patches of lava deserts.
 It has been part of the national park named after it. The Etna observes and is observed from any corner in Sicily.
For its magnificence it has been part of Ancient mythology (it was where Platone and the Titans lived) and literature, as it is mentioned in the Odyssey and by Aeschylus.
It emerged on earth about 35,000 years ago. Through history eruptions, almost annually, have caused many deaths since then. Some eruptions have meede lava reach the sea. In the 17th century it destructed sixteen towns and Catania.
From Patrick Brydone’s ascent on in 1773 on the north and south slopes many have climbed it and lost their lives.

What to See and Do

Piano Provenzano and Refuge Sapienza on the north and south slopes are on the way to their ascent. Tourist information offices such as the one in Catania provide information. Other information points are at Parco Naturale dell’Etna’s tourist office, at Rifugio Brunek (tel. 095 64 73 52) and Rifugio Sapienza (tel. 095 91 63 56), and at Linguaglossa there is another tourist office (www.prolocolinguaglossa.it). www.etnaonline.it gives information on the volcano history and activity and ascent.
The volcano summit ‘ascent is prohibited. The Etna features four summit caters, 20 smaller craters and is 7 km by 5 km.
Nobody can ascend without taking:
Hiking boots, essential for the slippery terrain, warm garments, gloves, compass sun-cream, hat sunglasses, potable water, sleeping bag and torch for campers.
To reach Rifugio Sapienza there is a bus leaving from Catania. From the refuge there is a cable car ascending the Etna. You can find information linking www.funiviaetna.com. From there on you can go on foot or take a bus with guide. The ascent on foot takes about 4 hours as far as the crater area where visitors are permitted. Ascending by cable car is just a marvelous experience for the scenic beauty and southeastern crater that you will be able to admire. With a guide you can see the Bocca Nuova (new recently created crater), which is hot and stunning at the same time. You can view the Valle del Bove and its sheer drop.
In the eruption of 2001-2003 the ski resort, refuge and lifts of Piano Provenzano were erased by lava flowing from the volcano. Slowly but steadily the facilities are being rebuilt and it is possible again to ascend the crater on foot taking trekkers about 3 hours. To reach Piano Provenzano it is necessary to have a car for public transport is inexistent. The mountain scape is different form Rifugio Sapienza as there are forests of Pineta Ragabo where people unwind and prepare outdoor meals.
The following links can provide would-be visitors with a way to organize tours around the Etna:
www.acquaterra.com
www.amicodelcavallo.com
www.etnaexperience.com
www.circumetnea.it
www.guidetnanord.com
www.etnaguide.com

Where to Eat and Drink

For visitors who are coming in the summer booking in advance is a must.
Rifugio Sapienza has its own restaurant.
The restaurant at Hotel Airone is a recommendable place to dine.
Rifugio brunek ‘s restaurant (tel. 095 64 30 15) focuses on dishes prepared with local produce.
The restaurant at Hotel Scrivano  is a place recommended by locals.

How to Get to/away

BY BUS: there are buses operating Catania-Rifugio Sapienza departing from the car park in front of the railway station and going along Via Nicolosi. There are buses operating Linguaglossa-Fiumefreddo. Ffrom here changing bus you can head for Taormina, Catania or Messina.
BY CAR: follow the same route as the bus linking Rifugio Sapienza –Catania.
BY TRAIN: the Ferrovia Circumetnea www.circumetnea.it, run privately, goes around the Etna.