Description
Departures scheduled from Piano Provenzana, north side of Etna, with special latest generation 4x4 off-road vehicles, environmental class euro 5 and euro 6 duly authorized by the Etna Park Authority and will be assisted by mountain or volcanological guides authorized pursuant to law.
The excursion to the summit area starts at an altitude of 1.800 meters (Piano Provenzana) and continues along the panoramic road which, between ancient craters and recent lava flows, will allow us to reach the Volcanological Observatory located at an altitude of 3.000 meters.
Once the ascent has begun, the first stop will allow you to observe the ruins of the hotel“Le Betulle”, the only visible structure among those destroyed by the lava flow of 27 October 2002.
Continue in the direction of the Umberto and Margherita craters, at an altitude of about 2.380 meters, where it is possible to make a small trek on the edge of the two extinct craters, from where you can feel all the strength of a nature that creates and destroys.
After the visit, we leave again in the direction of the volcanological observatory located in Pizzi Deneri.
After leaving the off-road vehicle, accompanied by our guides, a short trek of about 15 minutes begins that will take us to the top of the Pizzi Deneri promontory where, weather conditions permitting, it is possible to admire the Aeolian Islands, the Ionian Coast from Syracuse to Taormina, the gulf of Giardini Naxos and the Calabrian coasts.
It is also possible to observe, from a distance and in absolute safety, the summit craters that dominate the majestic Valle del Bove, which many times has been an important protection barrier for the villages located down stream from the summit craters, during the countless lava flows. Back on the vehicles, the descent towards the valley begins with the destination of the button craters of the 2002 Eruption. Once arrived at their destination at an altitude of about 1.900 meters, the trekking on the flows and explosive products begins. The circular route will allow you to walk along the edges of the craters and admire the morphology called "bottoniera" typical of the lateral eruptions of the volcano. After
reaching the summit (about 2.050 meters above sea level), it will be possible to enjoy the spectacular view of the eruptive theatre and the lava flow that destroyed the tourist resort of Piano Provenzana. A short descent will follow along a sandy slope to the off-road vehicles available for the return to Piano Provenzana.
NOTES
The maximum altitude reached is 3.000 meters; the maximum duration of the excursion is 2,5 hours
Difficulty: Tourist, so the excursion is also possible for children over 3 years old
The excursion may have variations at the discretion of the guides, if the environmental, atmospheric or volcanic conditions change.
This itinerary is not recommended for people suffering from particular pathologies (cardiovascular, respiratory or hypertension).
{gallery}foto_etna_3000m_4x4{/gallery}
