Silvestri Craters (Mount Etna) – Sapienza Hut loop from Rifugio Giovannino Sapienza

Mountain hikes & routes

Sicily

Catania

Nicolosi

Silvestri Craters (Mount Etna) – Sapienza Hut loop from Rifugio Giovannino Sapienza

Hard

4.0

(2)

hikers

Silvestri Craters (Mount Etna) – Sapienza Hut loop from Rifugio Giovannino Sapienza

03:06

8.63km

420m

Mountaineering

Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: August 22, 2026

Tips

Includes a segment that may be dangerous

A part of this route comprises technical, difficult, or hazardous terrain. Specialist equipment and prior experience may be required.

After 4.74 km for 814 m

Waypoints

Start point

Bus stop

Get Directions

557 m

Silvestri Craters (Mount Etna)

Highlight • Volcano

Silvestri crater below the cable car

Translated by Google •

Tip by

6.84 km

Monti Calcarazzi and Corvo Craters

Highlight • Volcano

8.32 km

Mount Etna Cable Car

Highlight • Structure

Space for 6 people in the gondola

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.45 km

Done! That is, almost. You are at the valley station of the Funivia dell’Etna, the cable car that was rebuilt after the last violent eruption of the volcano and has been in operation since 2004. It will take you (including your bike) from around 2,000 meters to an altitude of 2,500 meters. Upstairs is a restaurant that has a few snacks (which, however, do not meet particularly high culinary standards). Up there you can let off-road buses take you up to an altitude of 3,000 meters in summer. A rough trail leads back down from the station at 2,500 meters. Alternatively, you can use the gravel road, which already offers a decent “gravel” adventure. The view up here is impressive either way: you can either see really far or you can be impressed by the mystical cloud / fog optics. Remember: it's often really fresh up here. Don't forget warm things.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

8.55 km

Sapienza Hut

Highlight • Mountain Hut

The Sapienza refuge is the starting point for climbing the crater of Etna, it is also a very famous place for road cycling, as it hosted the arrival of some stages of the Giro d'Italia.

Translated by Google •

Tip by