🏃♀️ Running inside the Bove Valley 🏃♂️
🌋 Description 🌋
Among the many excursions dedicated to runners who want to test themselves and discover the volcano with a sporting approach at a different pace than is possible with classic tours, the one “Running all the way into the Valle del Bove” is definitely an exclusive experience to try on Etna, which will allow you to immerse yourself in the volcanic environment so much that you will feel its vitality.
This experience will make you appreciate Mount Etna, a world heritage site, from a different point of view and at the pace you prefer, also at the same time it will allow you to gain a greater awareness of your abilities by testing yourself on varied trails and unique single tracks that only the volcano can give you.
Get ready for a unique experience by first ascending almost to the top of Europe’s highest active volcano, where even though we will go “in a hurry” you will find yourself admiring its fascinating beauty and all its majesty up close, and then plunge into the most intimate and wild part of the Volcano itself the “Valle del Bove”.
The southern slope of Etna is constantly changing, in recent years many places have been completely obliterated by the power of the Volcano and others, which are still visible today, may not be there tomorrow, do not miss the opportunity to get to know them.
The tour that will allow you to intimately discover Etna begins with our meeting near Rifugio Sapienza in front of La Terrazza Dell’Etna (link), any travel from the accommodation where you are staying is not included and is possibly to be arranged.
We will proceed with the briefing for material verification, collection of informed consents, and all bureaucratic activities.
Once all participants are grouped we will ascend by cable car or all-terrain vehicles to an elevation of about 2500 meters above sea level.
Reaching the cable car arrival station our adventure will begin immersed in an environment described by many as “lunar” surrounded by volcanic slag and in the first part of the route we will have the opportunity to gradually get used to the altitude.
We will walk along the edges of the craters that are at the base of the summits, and we will be close to the most recent lava flows from where we will be able to look straight into the face of the Southeast crater, the highest tip of Etna, just a step away from us.
At this point we will begin our descent to the immense lava desert of the Bove Valley, overlooking the entire East Sicilian coast and with breathtaking views of the turquoise Ionian Sea (clearly visibility will be variable depending on weather conditions and possible volcanic gas emissions).
Continuing on we will plunge all the way into the Valle del Bove through the sandy Montagnola gully which will allow us to lose about 800 m of elevation gain in less than 2 km (strongly discouraged for those suffering from joint problems especially in the knees), once inside we will travel about 2 km over the lava field related to the great eruption of 1991/1993 over rope lavas and rare examples of pahoehoe lavas before beginning the ascent along the Canalone dei Faggi.
We will find ourselves moving from a desert backdrop to a lush beech forest surrounded by endemic species, and following a path along a ridge we will pass a cave before returning, passing through a buttonhole of ancient craters, to the Rifugio Sapienza forecourt where it all began. The hike involves a total of about 13 kilometers of trail for a duration of 3 hours, suitable for those who are used to running regularly in the mountains, not recommended for those with fatigue, dizziness and/or physical health problems (cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, hypertension, asthma and individuals who suffer from panic attacks and/or anxiety) and also for pregnant women who have passed the third month of pregnancy.
Program
- 8:00 Meeting at Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza
- 8:30 Departure by cable car or vehicle to the arrival station 2500
- 9:00 Start running
- 12:30 Arrival at Piazzale Rifugio Sapienza
In summary
| Meeting time ⌚ | 8:00 |
| Level of difficulty 📊 | Athletes |
| Duration⏳ | 3/4 hours |
| Total length 📏 | 13 km |
| Maximum quota ⬆ | 2700 mt |
| Minimum quota ⬇ | 1700 mt |
| Positive height difference 📈 | 700 mt |
| Negative height difference 📉 | 1200 mt |
| Cost 💰 | 77 € |
| Cost of transport services 💰 | 52 € |
Mandatory clothing
- Trail shoes 👟
- Gaiters
- Trail backpack 🎒
- Trail socks 🧦
- Long trousers 👖🩳🧦
- Variable clothing layers depending on the season (short-sleeved T-shirt – thermal or long-sleeved T-shirt – warm second layer) 👕 🙋♂️ 🙋♀️
- Waterproof jacket – K way
- Buff or bandana (to protect against dust and/or volcanic gases) 👳♀️ 👳♂️
- Gloves and hat 🧤 🧢
- Sunglasses 👓
- Thermal cover
- Water (minimum 1.5 L per person) 🥛
- Snack 🍫 🥪 🍕 🥨 🥗 🥝 🍌 🍎
- Personal effects not available during the excursion (medicines, antihistamines, other…) 💊 🩺
Recommended equipment
- Spare T-shirt 👕
- Spare socks 🧦
- Sun cream 🌞
- Cocoa butter 💄
- Camera 📷
What the excursion includes
- Guided excursion with licensed volcanological guide 🏃♂️
- Liability insurance 📄
- Protective helmets 👷♀️ 👷♂️
Important
The hike requires a good level of physical and sporting preparation, and is not suitable for those who do not usually exercise and/or have never hiked in the mountains.
In order to participate, a sports medical certificate for competitive activity must be provided at least the day before the excursion.
One must be aware that one is on an active volcano at high altitude, in an unstable lava terrain, and that in addition to possible eruptive activity, extreme weather conditions such as cold, strong wind, storms, lightning and fog can occur.
This hike, in relation to its type and altitude, is suitable for people in good physical health, who do not suffer from any particular pathologies (strongly discouraged for those suffering from cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, asthma, hypertension and those who suffer from panic attacks and/or anxiety).
Pregnant women who have exceeded the third month of pregnancy are not permitted any type of hiking activity.
Since you will be reaching altitudes above 3,000 metres, you may experience symptoms of fatigue.
During the hike, as some passages along the crater rim are planned, dizziness may be an issue.
Minimum age to participate in the hike 18 years.
The use of contact lenses is not recommended due to the presence of volcanic ash, which could easily cause problems in windy conditions. Those who cannot do without contact lenses are requested to wear sunglasses and also to notify the Volcanology Guide before the start of the excursion.
n order for the hike to be successful, it is important to know one’s health condition and possibly present it to the Volcanological Guide so as to decrease the occurrence of any problems and avoid taking inappropriate risks.
The total duration of the hike will depend on the pace of the group.
The excursion will be carried out within the limits set by current ordinances.
All participants are required to follow the directions given by the Volcanological Guide, respecting the Guide’s choice in terms of timing, pace, route, distance, and maximum altitude reached.
The excursion may change at the discretion of the Volcanological Guide or be interrupted if environmental, atmospheric or volcanic conditions change, or if there are hazards that cannot be eliminated that could compromise the safety of an individual participant or the entire group.
In the event of adverse weather conditions you will be notified of any cancellation and we will reschedule the excursion together.
Booking your experience
