 The Nature Reserve |
|
|
| The great volcano, with its varied and
spectacular landscapes, is equally fascinating all year round. The area is easy to reach
and offers a large variety of accommodation. The Nature Reserve offers various walks and
Visitors' Centres. Just a few reasons which make a visit to Etna an absolute must! |
|
 |
 HOW
TO GET THERE
Its closeness to Catania and the A18 Catania-Messina motorway
make the Nature Reserve quite easy to reach for tourists arriving either by plane or by
car.The various small towns and villages on the
edges of the reserve can be reached by the many roads connecting them with Catania and
with each other. For information about nature walks and mountain refuges, call:
- Parco dell'Etna - Nicolosi - 095/914588 fax: 095/914738
Base Camp, Grande Albergo dell'Etna - 095/911500
|
|
|
EXCURSIONS
There are a large number of opportunities for
excursions in the Nature Reserve.Below we give a
brief outline of 8 different excursions suggested by the Reserve Authorities. They are
illustrated in greater detail in the guide and map published by the Italian Touring Club.
- Drive round Mt. Etna
This is a good idea for people who do not have much time available for their visit, as
the typical features of the Etna area can be appreciated in a single day by touring round
some of the most interesting mountain villages and resorts.
- The Circumetnea Railway
This is an unusual way to discover the slopes of the volcano: get on the Circumetnea train
in Catania and ride all the way round the mountain to Riposto, where the line ends. The
quickest way to get back to Catania is to get off at Giarre and take a main-line
connection on the Messina-Catania line.
- The Great Etna Trek
This is a 5-day trek along the paths that weave round the volcano. The itinerary has been
worked out by the Reserve Authorities in collaboration with the Italian Alpine Club, which
has a number of mountain refuges in the area. The stages of the trek vary in length from
12 to 15 Km. They are of course suitable for experienced walkers and offer unforgettable
views of all the four main slopes of the volcano.
|
|
- Western Slope: Monte Gallo - Rifugio della Galvarina
-
 The trek starts from a wide
clearing on the slopes of Monte Gallo, which can be reached from the Nicolosi-Adrano road,
turning off at the sign for Monte Intraleo after about 12 km. The walk leads to the
Galvarina forestry refuge which has a large reservoir and is an ideal place for a short
rest.
|
- Case Pirao - Monte Spagnolo - Cisternazza
This
trek takes half a day. It starts from the Case Pirao on the northern slope of Mt. Etna,
which can be reached by turning off the Linguaglossa-Randazzo road just outside the town
of Randazzo. The walk takes you through the Monte Spagnolo beech wood.
|
- Monte Nero degli Zappini Nature Trail
This is the
first nature trail marked out on Mt. Etna and offers a view of some of the typical natural
settings of the area. It is not a difficult walk and for its educational value is highly
suitable for parties of schoolchildren or other groups. It starts from Piano Vetore, which
is not far from the Grande Albergo dell'Etna. The walk also takes you to the "Nuova
Gussonea" Botanical Gardens, which are well worth a visit.
|
- Monte Zoccolaro Nature Trail
Not far from
Zafferana Etnea, this steep trek offers splendid views of the Val Calanna and the Valle
del Bove with stretches of aspen and beech forest in between. Be careful not to stray from
the path because it is flanked by a steep precipice.
|
|
- Piano Provenzana - Montenero
This is a short walk,
moderately steep, through a splendid pine forest; it passes by a number of lava cones
formed during eruptions, which are very interesting to see close up.
|
|
|
