🏃♀️ Running on the Top of Sicily 🏃♂️
🌋 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 to the summit craters is certainly the most exciting experience you can have on Etna, a World Heritage Site.
This experience will make you appreciate Etna from a different point of view and at your own pace, while at the same time allowing you to gain a greater awareness of your abilities by testing yourself on various paths and unique single tracks that only the volcano can give you.
Prepare yourself for a unique experience by climbing to the top of Europe’s highest active volcano. In fact, even if you go “in a hurry”, you will be able to admire its fascinating beauty and all its majesty at close quarters, and from a unique perspective you will be able to enjoy a breathtaking panorama ‘Running on the Top of Sicily‘.
The tour that will allow you to discover Etna and its summit craters begins with our meeting at Piano Provenzana in front of the Chiosco Bar Mareneve (link), any transfer from the accommodation where you are a guest is not included and may have to be organised.
We will proceed with the briefing to check the material, the collection of informed consents and all bureaucratic activities.
Once all participants have gathered, we will ascend in all-terrain vehicles to an altitude of approximately 2,800 metres above sea level.
When we reach the Volcanological Observatory of “Pizzi Deneri”, we leave our vehicles to begin our adventure.
The first part of the trek will be on footpaths and for about 4 km we will find ourselves immersed in an environment described by many as “lunar”, surrounded by bombs and volcanic debris; in this first part of the trek we will have the opportunity to gradually get used to the altitude.
After facing a total ascent of about 500 metres, we will reach the summit craters of Etna, standing above 3300 metres above sea level.
Once we reach the summit, we will have the opportunity to admire the grandeur of Etna, the uniqueness of the volcanic environment and the fascination of its processes, not to mention the breathtaking panorama that will present itself before our eyes (clearly, visibility will vary depending on atmospheric conditions and possible volcanic gas emissions) from the Top of Sicily.
At this point all that remains is to begin the descent, for many stretches over ash and soft volcanic scoriae, to Piano delle Concazze and from here, within one of the sandy gullies that make up the north-eastern slope of the volcano, we will reach the beech forest just above Piano Provenzana surrounded by endemic plants, to the point of arrival of our hike.
The long descent may be more demanding than the ascent, as we will descend from an altitude of 3300 m to an altitude of 1800 m with a negative height difference of about 1500 m, so it is strongly discouraged for those who suffer from joint problems, especially in the knees. The hike covers a total of about 12 kilometres and lasts about 3 hours. It is suitable for those who are used to running regularly in the mountains, and is not recommended for those who suffer from fatigue, dizziness and/or physical health problems (cardiovascular problems, respiratory problems, hypertension, asthma and those who suffer from panic attacks and/or anxiety), and also for pregnant women who are over three months pregnant.
Program
- 8:00 Meeting at Point to Piano Provenzana
- 8:30 Departure by off-road vehicles to Pizzi Deneri
- 9:00 Start running to the summit craters
- 12:30 Arrival at Piano Provenzana
In summary
| Meeting time ⌚ | 8:00 |
| Level of difficulty 📊 | Athletes |
| Duration ⏳ | 3/4 hours |
| Total length 📏 | 12 km |
| Maximum quota ⬆ | 3315 mt |
| Minimum quota ⬇ | 1800 mt |
| Positive height difference 📈 | 500 mt |
| Negative height difference 📉 | 1500 mt |
| Cost 💰 | 89 € |
| Cost of transport services 💰 | 30 € |
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
