Mount Etna Sicily - Eruptions of Mount Etna Sicily
Photos and Videos of Etna - Craters of Mount Etna
Mount Etna is the biggest highlight of every trip to Sicily. As the biggest active volcano in Europe (3323 m) it fascinates tourists and locals alike with its eruptions and lava flows throughout the entire year.
Mount Etna is near the Sicily's eastern coast between Catania and Taormina and can be seen almost everywhere throughout Sicily due to its imposing size.
Here you can see the best photos and webcams of Etna in Sicily! Several interesting videos of Etna and its spectacular eruptions can be seen further below on this webpage.
The Crater of Mount Etna
Over the centuries, Mount Etna has formed over 400 craters. There are 4 summit craters and many secondary craters, for example site craters.
The summit craters are located in heights between 3340 - 2800 meters. However, the secondary craters are considerably deeper and located at heights of about 500 meters above sea level.
As a general rule, the secondary craters present a larger and more direct danger than that of the higher lying summit or main craters.
The secondary craters are often a considerably closer threat to inhabited areas and the path of the lava to these areas is much shorter.
Mount Etna's Eruption in Sicily
Since its formation approximately 600,000 years ago, Mount Etna has been constantly active within Sicily and has created fear, horror, and fascination through its countless volcanic eruptions.
Mount Etna - Tours, Excursions, Day Trips to Mount Etna
For Sicilian tourists there are many different possibilities in which one can experience Mount Etna; whether athletically or for leisure, as an individual sightseer or as a tourist group.
The best of Etna can be reached either from its north or south side. The place where there are year long "classic" Etna tours can be found on the south side of Etna and begins at the so called Rifugio Sapienza, which is at an altitude of 1900 meters.
Here one will find Etna's gondola cable car that transport visitors to heights of up to 2500 meters, providing a beautiful view. Overall, one can reach altitudes of approximately 3000 meters.
The last section will be travelled through on an all terrain vehicle. Here visitors will be able to reach the main summit crater of Mount Etna.
However, for safety reasons, the edge of the central crater can no longer be climbed.
The north flank of Mount Etna offers an excellent exploration point for discovering the volcano.
Geographically, in most cases, the north side is more interesting and diverse than the south side The north side is known to have vegetation still at altitudes of approximately 2000 meters and therefore has not such a monotonous, lunar landscape as one finds on the south side of Etna at heights of around 1400 meters.
Learn more about organized Etna tours by tour bus or by Jeep with our excursions to Sicily.
Circumetnea, narrow gauge railway around Etna
The Circumetnea railway was planned during the 1800s and experienced its maiden voyage in 1895 on the first constructed section of the railway from Catania to Adrano.
The Circumetnea is a simple narrow gauge railway, which has a route that almost completely encircles Mount Etna. What is exceptional about this unique excursion around Etna is how close in contact you are to Etna’s breathtaking nature.
The Circumetnea railway takes passengers to places that would never be possible to reach by other modes of transportation.
Learn more about possible trips you can take with the Circumetnea railway, the stops it makes as well as its schedule.
Sporting on Mount Etna
Mount Etna in Sicily offers a multitude of athletic opportunities. The enormous Etna is a constant draw and attraction for active holidaysers.
Etna is a hiking paradise with wonderful routes of every difficulty level. In the past years, more and more unbelievable activities have been developed or identified, making further sports and activities available. Etna continues to be a very good place for winter sporting.
At both the south and north side of Mount Etna are nice ski resorts for downhill skiing, snowboarding as well as cross country skiing. During the summer, there are many mountain bikers riding through Etna's winding trails, which the demanding and ambitious riders treasure.
The latest trend in modern sporting are tours with quad bikes, which various agencies offer deals on. Therefore you can joyride while breathing in the fresh air of nature.
More sporting offers within Mount Etna can be found here.
