Hicking on the Northern Side of the Mt Etna
The "Bottoniera" and the 2002/2003 Eruption

Etna Regional Park was founded in March 1987 and was the first Park in Sicily.
It is divided into 3 different zones: the "A" zone made of 19.000 hectares is the wildest with no impact by men where the volcano is the only king. Here we are going to discover one of the most interesting environment of Europe by walking next to the 2002/2003 craters.

This walk on the northern side of Mt Etna, allows to discover the " Bottoniera " craters, opened during the 2002/2003 eruption.

Depart: 09h00 from Piano Provenzana

The walk takes 6 hours, slope +200 mt -300 mt
The excursion begins at Piano Provenzana (1800 mt) on the cold lava flow dating 2002/2003, and ends at Brunek chalet (1700 mt).

The first part is the most demanding because of the 200 mt of slope that we gain as soon as we start. Before reaching 2000 mt we can discover the "Bottoniera" craters (many craters opened in a queue) and see the huge lava flow cutting the forest at our feet. We continue our walk and we find the smells and colours of the forest rich in pines, beech and chestnut, where we end our day. We walk on the track called "Pista Altmontana" (42 Km) that turns all around Mt Etna, linking the southern and northern side of the volcano.

Return : 15h00
 
Price per person:

• 2/3 pax : euro 50,00
• 4/5 pax : euro 35,00
• 6/10 pax : euro 28,00

Included:

• expert private English speaking guide for all the walk.

Not included :

• lunch
• mean of transport to/from the meeting point

Equipment :

• trekking shoes
• Gore-Tex jacket and pull
• gloves and hut in April, May and September, October
• small daily rucksack to store your stuff for the day, lunch and water