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ETNA
EXCURSIONS - ETNA RIDE
Mount
Etna, the hightest active volcano in Europe, placed on the
eastern side of Sicily between the Alcantara and Simeto rivers,
dominates the whole province of Catania with its bulk.
It
has always benn an important winter sports resort with a powerful
net of ski-lift; moreover, naturalist itineraries and trekking
have recently had a particular increase. These activities
have also let to find out the charm of this extraordinary
naturalist oasis.
In ancient times, Mount Etna was identified as Vulcan's forge;
it was called "sky colums" by Pindar and "gebel"
(mountain) by Arabs.
Mount
Etna is a "young" volcano: its first eruptive manifestations,
in facts, date back to little over 500,000 years ago. Its
volcanic structure, which is at present about 3.350 metres
in height owes its origins to two large volcanoes: the Trifoglietto,
which has trought the centuries generated the large depression
called "The Ox Valley", and the Mongibello, which
is at present in permanent activity.
Its
top part is made up of the Central crater (chasm and mounth),
the North-East crater (1911) and the South-East crater (1971).
The top areas of Mount Etna can be reached through a pathway
of about 34 Km, which starts from Catania, crosses Mascalucia
and reaches Nicolosi, from where you move to reach the Square
of the Cableway, a complete axis of facilities such as parking,
restaurants, souvenir shops, a first-aid station and mountain
rescues, ski schools, facilities hiring: all this is available
at 1.910 metres above sea level.
Besides the variety of ski activities available on the volcano
(skiing, mountaineering, cross-country skiing, etc) a variety
of excursions can be added, from the naturalistic ones to
the speleological ones, with or whitout guide, all the years
rounds.
"Escursioni Etna" organizes
tours of one or more days on foot, in mountain-bike or with
donkeys.
For
any information please send us a mail
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